"Almost Elvis is enthralling viewing"

There are few Elvis related videos I watch that I don't want to end. Almost Elvis (Elvis Impersonators and Their Quest for the Crown) is one of those rare releases that I wanted more of. In fact I enjoyed it so much that I played it again. Any fears that Almost Elvis will be a tacky, smoke-filled tribute depicting overweight and psychologically challenged individuals are quickly dispelled. The documentary develops through a finely crafted combination of strong production values, fascinating characters and tight story line into a potent examination of a phenomenon that many fans, and even more non-fans, cannot understand.

Almost Elvis delivers on two levels - one as a narrative record of a number of Elvis impersonators making their way through the regional eliminations to the one everyone wants to win, the finals in Memphis during Elvis Week. For one Elvii the title of the "World's Best Elvis Impersonator" awaits. Does African-American Robert Washington finally assume the #1 spot after being the perennial bridesmaid, or will racial undercurrents hand it to another crowd favourite, Irv Cass?

On another level the documentary successfully demystifies part of the impersonator phenomenon in understandable terms. Special comments from Professor Vernon Chadwick (author of 'In Search of Elvis: Music, Race, Art, Religion', Westview Press, 1997) offer an incisive, academic observation of the meaning of the impersonator phenomenon in contemporary society.

Be it a female Elvis, Oriental Elvis, jelly doughnut Elvis, slim waisted Elvis or pre-pubescent Elvis, they are all here. Doug Church, Eric Erickson, Quentin Flagg, Steve Sojura and James Lowery are just some of the Elvii featured in Almost Elvis. Importantly, they are presented in a dramatically engrossing way, one that offers an uplifting celebration of an often maligned part of Elvis's incredible legacy. The documentary is particularly well edited, with crisp visual and solid audio tracks.

I cannot praise John Paget's insightful and moving documentary enough. It is a fascinating look behind the scenes of the impersonator's world, delving into the private lives and motivations of its protagonists.

Whether you are an Elvis fan or not, Almost Elvis is an important socio-cultural record that will stand the test of time and should be essential viewing for anyone trying to make sense of Elvis's impact on the world. Unlike many other documentaries about the King of Rock and Roll, Almost Elvis lives up to its well deserved reputation.

Verdict: Essential and enthralling viewing.

Blue Suede Films: John Paget, Producer
http:// www.AlmostElvis.com
P.O. Box 502, Olympic, WA, 98507, USA

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"Elvis Presley is the supreme socio-cultural icon in the history of pop culture"

(Dr. Gary Enders)

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" Elvis is the 'glue' which holds our society together....which subconciously gives our world meaning"

(Anonymous)

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"Eventually everybody has to die, except Elvis"

(humorist Dave Barry)

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"He is the "Big Bang", and the universe he detonated is still expanding, the pieces are still flying"

(Greil Marcus, "Dead Elvis")

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"I think Elvis Presley will never be solved"

(Nick Tosches)

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"He was the most popular man that ever walked on this planet since Christ himself was here"

(Carl Perkins)

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"When I first heard Elvis' voice I just knew I wasn't going to work for anybody...hearing him for the first time was like busting out of jail"

(Bob Dylan)

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"When we were kids growing up in Liverpool, all we ever wanted was to be Elvis Presley"

(Sir Paul McCartney)