Form and content find a just-right match in "Who the Hell is Bobby Roos?" an entirely improvised DV tale based on the real-life experiences of astonishing impressionist Roger Kabler... Helmer John Feldman skillfully draws on clips to flesh out the more exaggerated journey of Bobby Roos... Through it all, the sheer craft of Kabler's transformations -- the way he physically becomes other people -- is fascinating. It should be a killer DVD item.... Feldman has a flair for the morbidly hilarious. (read the entire review)

Ken Eisner, Variety

(June 16, 2002) A jury of critics and industry professionals selected the film as "best representing filmmaking excellence and creative vision" and praised the film "for creating a nervy intimate portrait of a very solitary artist while simultaneously finding a metaphor for the culture at large" awarding the film the "New American Cinema Award" at the 2002 Seatle International Film Festival (read our press release)

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This raw, mesmerizing film is a tour de force for an amazing actor-impressionist. Director John Feldman's economical, handheld approach befits this portrait of one man's professional and psychological meltdown... He's down and close to out, but still compulsively unleashing the uncannily accurate celebrity impressions that shield him from his hidden self and the self-sabotaged career. It's a coping mechanism that's doomed to fail...

At the risk of alienating some viewers, Kabler's bold performance not only proves his enduring talent as a standup survivor, but takes him (and Bobby Roos) a daring step further toward healing, recovery, and renewed purpose as a performer.

Seattle International Film Festival

"On the frontiers of cinema, supressing all distinction between fiction and reality, this film presents a life situation beyond parameters and wonders about the true status of madness... an unusal experience for the audience, stretching the limits of the possible. Quintin, Buenos Aires International Film Festival

A spirited and highly original work with a pitch-perfect performance at its center.

Darryl Macdonald, Director, Cinema Seattle

An absolutely unexpected delight. Screened as a video, this is a mockumentary satire about a stand-up comedian/mimic whose characterizations have taken over his own personality, a la Andy Kaufman, only more benign. Roger Kabler as Bobby Roos is truly phenomenal. His impersonations of Robert De Niro, Robin Williams, and Peter Falk, among others, are some of the finest pieces of facial and vocal makeover that you'll ever see. He truly does become these characters. Watching his act as the various alter-egos take over his body and talk to each other is uncannily like watching a split personality crazy person in action. And the film's premise is brilliant: that this is a true story; and that there was a video crew documenting this washed up comedian as he self-destructs. *** 1/2

Ken Rudolph,
Critic, filmmaker and member of the Academy of Motion Pictures

Roger Kabler does Robert De Niro better than De Niro himself, and his Robin Williams and Roberto Benigni are to die for. In this autobiographical film, Kabler plays Bobby Roos, an impersonator who loses his own identity among the personas he plays. At one pint, he laments: "I'm not myself in my dreams anymore." The film, shot on digital video, makes a fascinating, well performed character study which carries some metaphorical weight as well: when Bobby meets and beds a woman (Iris Paldiel) she's seduced by his De Niro likeness in almost the same way as our society gets mesmerized by celebrities. At times amusing, at times disturbing, the film stays with you long after it's over. (Marke Andrews, Vancouver Sun)

Marke Andrews picked "Who the Hell as Bobby Roos" as one of the top ten at the festival.

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A compelling psychological journey into the disturbed mind of a comic genius. (Michael Eckford, City TV, Vancouver)

Explores the fine line between act and reality, fiction and verite to interesting and powerful effect. (Lola Bianca, NO HO L.A. magazine)

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Take a walk down one of show biz' dark back roads with John Feldman's "Who the Hell is Bobby Roos?" starring Roger Kabler as an impressionist overtaken by his subjects. Careening through a gallery that includes De Niro, Pacino, Richard Dreyfuss, John Travolta, and Robin Williams, Kabler combines peerless technique with the courage to stare down his demons. A true tour-de-force performance in a film that manages to be edgy, romantic, poignant, and exhilarating all at once." (Alan Gelb, author and critic)

John Feldman's film is masterful. I don't know about technical details of film-making, but I do know what moves me, and what means something to me. The subject, and the way it was presented, were crafted as well as any Chevkov story -- the film has several layers of interest -- like a good novel. The main idea -- which has always haunted me -- is the struggle each of us have to realize our innate potential. Some of us die trying. Some are lucky, and get to be stars. The important thing is what self-definitions we carry --regardless of where we end up. John's movie covers a lot of that difficult territory and was entertaining, funny, and visually exciting. The music was perfect for the situations-- sympathetic, and scary---when that was necessary. I feel many people will enjoy the film, and think, and talk about it. (Chuck Berry, Seattle audience)

If you are looking for light escapist fare, skip this movie.

John Feldman, Director

An unsettling mix of entertainment and hard emotional truth.

David Marlow, Executive Producer