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Elvis (2022)
(Warner Bros. Pictures)
By Lucas Allen
There had been many documentaries and film versions of the life, career, and untimely death of beloved music icon Elvis Presley. The new movie “Elvis,” from visionary director Baz Luhrmann, offers a more stylish and bombastic version of the rock and roll icon’s rise, highs, and lows in the same vein of his previous hits “Moulin Rouge” and “The Great Gatsby.” It also brings into clearer focus the singer’s influence and impact on the world of popular music.
Told from the perspective of his manager, Col. Tom Parker (Tom Hanks), Elvis (Austin Butler) first catches the attention of listeners with his mix of country and rhythm and blues. While touring with country singer Hank Snow (David Wenham), Parker promotes Presley as the hot new star bringing his rebellious, hip-shaking act across America. But while his popularity is soaring, Elvis also becomes a controversial figure in the eyes of 1950s politicians. After a brief stint in the US Army, he marries the younger Priscilla (Olivia DeJonge) and becomes an actor starring in motion pictures.
However, the grim nature of the late 1960s has Presley rethinking his career move as Parker wants his star to host an hour-long Christmas special. In defiance, Elvis instead produces the famous comeback special that puts him back on top. This leads Parker to land him a gig at the International Hotel in Las Vegas as a way to pay off all his gambling debts. What started as a triumphant comeback soon becomes a dark period for the king of rock and roll.
When you go see a Baz Luhrmann movie, you’re not really watching one with proper structure, but more an extended trailer or music video as far as storytelling goes, so his films can be hit or miss. Elvis’ music complements the director’s style in the early scenes, with the performer showing off his jive energy to an unsuspecting public. As it goes on, the movie eases into its conventional storytelling, focusing on the singer’s turbulent era between his comeback special and his final years in Vegas. Despite being overlong at two-and-a-half-hours, the film’s flow remains consistent and paced fine enough that it doesn’t over-complicate the experience.
The story itself is exactly what you already know about the man himself. The only difference being it’s narrated by Parker, giving the singer’s backstory as well as his own personal grievances. He could sometimes be the unreliable narrator meaning you don’t know if he’s telling the truth or exaggerating out of his ego. Being that the character can sometimes be the villain in Elvis’ life, it’s best to take everything he says with a grain of salt.
As for the music, while it doesn’t play every one of his hits, the songs fit well in each of the scenes. It helps that the film editing and sound design resurrect these classic tunes to be as exciting as ever. There are a few odd choices sprinkled in like having a rap track played over scenes in Memphis, where it already has some incredible bluesy sounds that inspired Presley to begin with. It’s clear Elvis’ music laid the groundwork for many genres of music, but it would’ve been better to save the modern stuff for the end credits.
It’s no easy feat to portray the king of rock and roll as a real-life mythical figure, but Butler tremendously embodies his rebellious spirit throughout the film. He’s also believable at playing the man at his lowest that you’ll feel sad for him especially when you already know what befalls him. As Parker, Hanks is also incredible in his rare bad guy role, but adding a dose of sympathy regardless of the person’s real-life behavior. These two performances are very Oscar-worthy hopefully to be remembered come awards season.
The king lives on through his music and this very entertaining film. “Elvis” will have you dancing in the aisles and screaming for his name. This is what the magic of the movies is all about, so don’t miss it.
THE MOVIE’S RATING: PG-13 (for substance abuse, strong language, suggestive material, and smoking)
THE CRITIC’S RATING: 3.5 Stars (Out of Four)
