First Impersonator is a feature-length documentary exploring the intriguing world of Presidential impersonators. Combining two stories, First Impersonator follows a George W. Bush look-alike through the 2004 Presidential race while documenting the life and career of famed JFK impersonator Vaughn Meader. 2004 LOOKALIKES: In 1999, Brent Mendenhall found himself looking like a Presidential candidate. The Governor of Texas threw his hat into the Presidential ring and began receiving national media attention. Friends and relatives began telling Mendenhall that they kept seeing this doppelganger on the nightly news. As it became apparent that the Texan double would win the Republican nomination, Brent decided to take action. By February of 2004, Brent had become used to his new occupation as a professional Presidential impersonator. He had turned a fluke resemblance with George W. Bush into a well-paying career on the corporate speaking circuit. With no comedic training (Brent worked in construction prior to becoming a looklalike), he was able to craft a twenty minute humorous speech that routinely gets laughs and a marketing strategy that allowed him to carve out his profitable niche. Looming on the horizon, however, is the threat of the 2004 Presidential Election and the possibility that he may find himself very quickly out of demand. The 2004 Presidential Election Race is the most important of Brent's life. His fate is determined by the fate of George W. Bush. Unlike those who can change their character with the times, Brent is physically tied to Bush. By 2005, Brent could be job hunting. But there is still plenty of work, and Brent has to make the most out of the next ten months. Along the way, First Impersonator follows Brent across the country as he capitalizes on the increased election year demand for political look-alikes. He travels to a look-alike convention in Hollywood, the Log Cabin Republicans' National Convention in Palm Springs, commercial shoots, sporting events, and the bread-and-butter of his business, corporate speaking engagements. We also observe Brent on election night of 2004, the night his career is on the line, at an Election Night Party in George and Barbara Bush's neighborhood in Houston. First Impersonator also details Brent's mentorship by a Bill Clinton impersonator, his 2000 rivalry with an Al Gore, a Saddam Hussein cut out of a Madonna video because of the Iraq War and a Hillary Clinton excited about her prospects in 2008.

Additional Details

Label: Chad Freidrichs

Genre: Documentary

Run Time: 89 mins

Region: 0

Release Date: 11/18/08

UPC: 718122850310