Review 653: Elvis

 

Elvis is an immersive, powerhouse Biographical musical film and a fascinating character study, one that brings it remarkable true story to life with its spectular visuals and musical numbers and outstanding performances from newcomer Austin Butler and Tom Hanks.

Telling the story of the King is a chance to explore American pop culture in the 50s, 60s and 70s. He was at the crossroads of pop culture; the good, the bad and the ugly in all of those periods. The film smartly uses Elvis as a gateway into understanding American and pop culture in those days and that shift in climate when he broke out. Exploring all of these different periods of his life; to start from when he vibrant 19 year old in 50s to then just few years later being in a whirlwind in the 60s and all those films that he made during that time. Stripping away the icon of Elvis and finding who he is when nobodys around.

The result is A Star is Born (2018) meets Rocketman.

Elvis was directed by Baz Luhrmann who sperodic filmography includes Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge and Australia and once again he shows a great deal of energy and originality in his use of music and design. The films depiction of 50's Missippi and Louisiana is a picturesque location with fully functioning cars and recording studios. The colours themselves look very vibrant and flashy  The costumes are colourful, the cinematography is gorgeous and captures the picturesque vision of Mississippi and Louisiana in the 50's and 70's, the make up (particularly showcasing the different looks of Elvis and Col. Parker throughout the years) is excellent and rich with detail. I think it's a bit too long with a runtime of 159 minutes

Austin Butler gives a breakout performance playing the King. Elvis was a very spiritual man. Music affected his early upbringing, particularly gospal music. He attended Club Handy and was very involved in the Black Community and the film clearly shows Sister Rosetta Tharpe (singer-songwriter Yola) as a great influence on him. As well as channelling his anger when he's had it with Parker's shananingans. Singing was basically his superpower, he had this increcible gift but he didn't know how to deal with them or use them.

Tom Hanks (in a rare role that casts him against type) is stupendous playing Col. Tom Parker, Elvis' manager. The film is very much his story as it is Elvis'. He spots him at a circus show and he sees the potential in him to be the next big thing in music. In actuallity, he was a fraud, he immigrated illegaly to the States and knows how to lie, cheat and manipulate to get what he wants. He wouldn't allow Elvis to go on world tours because he knew that he wouldn't be allowed back into the country again, yet he made Elvis' career and saw potential in him that when no one else did and he lifted his famly out of poverty. Hanks brought a wonderfuly sleezy charm to the role that oozes off the screen. The film is told through the eyes of Parker; he serves as our unreliable narrator.

Olivia DeJonge is also playing Elvis' wife Priscilla. She's someone whose mature beyond their years. She certainly loved Elvis and was there for him no matter what, even past their divorce she never stopped loving him.

Richard Roxburgh and Helen Thompson are d playing Vernon & Gladys Presley. They are pretty much a unit and compliment each other beautifully. Gladys was Elvis' ally and his rock when he initially started his singing career but seeing the public turn against because of his "riskque' nature and the fear of loosing him when he gets drafted takes a toll on her.

David Wenham  playing country singer Hank Snow, He only has three or four scenes earlier in the film but they're of central importance as he introduces Elvis to Tom Parker

Kodi Smit-McPhee, Luke Bracey, Xavier Samuel, Kevin Harrison Jr., Natasha Bassett, Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Stranger Things' Dacre Montgomery round out the films large cast with