Elvis: Movie Review (No Spoilers)

 

By Michael Momper

"When you're lost, people take advantage."

    So says Elvis Presley, and his tragic end seems to confirm the statement. In Baz Luhrmann's cinematic retelling of Elvis' life story we find a scapegoat for the death of the King of Rock and Roll, but we also relive the magnetism that made him one of American music's immortal voices and copied-but-never-duplicated performers.

    Baz Luhrmann's directing style makes this story come alive with frenetic modern energy. It is clear from the beginning that part of his intent for the period piece is to capture Elvis' style, his glamor and sex appeal, and translate it for a modern audience so that those of us who didn't live during the man's heyday can experience why he was such a cultural phenomenon and why his music was so important. From the early frames of the movie, we begin to see why Elvis' passionate stage persona and firecracker energy were such a watershed moment for many American audiences. He was rebellious, and his blatant sexuality led to a release in young female audiences that is reminiscent of everything we've ever heard about Beatlemania and more. Luhrmann's dazzling color palette is bright and showy, making the whole affair seem extravagant like a late night on the Las Vegas strip. The pacing of the story clicks right along and is never boring, even at over two and a half hours. Much of this is due to the editorial-style editing, which is reminiscent of Guy Ritchie in all the best ways. The immersive transitions click into place like a comic book and keep the whole train chugging along. Bright as a Vegas casino and loud as a rock show, it's clear that Luhrmann's vision for Elvis was one that captures excess.

    The movie hammers home important lessons about the pitfalls of massive celebrity and show business. To be a god amongst men is often an endeavor that steals the soul. What we see, even feel, as Elvis' story presses on is that his love for performance and music were authentic, and what was asked of him night after night was taxing beyond belief. His exhaustion is palpable, and his handlers use him like a slot machine, wrenching every cent out of him that they can as he ekes out his existence on mountains of pills just to keep him standing. There is a price to fame. Austin Butler, as Elvis, does a wonderful job throughout the movie as both an impressionist (let's be honest, probably the most important part of portraying such an iconic person) and in his ability to convey Elvis' tenderness and love for his fans.

    Tom Hanks plays Colonel Tom Parker, who is essentially Elvis' handler and clearly the villain of the story. Hanks is exceptional. Both diabolical and whimsical, Colonel Parker is such an interesting character that at times it is easy to laugh with him rather than at him. This was one of the confusing areas of tone throughout the movie- though he clearly was painted as the villain and the reason for Elvis' demise, the character is so nuanced (and conversely, Elvis so god-like) that there were times it was unclear what the film's intentions were going to be. Some of Elvis' personal troubles and darker tendencies were mostly left out of the movie, so it created a bit of separation between him and the audience at times. It was made clear however that Elvis' roots in the music world were pure, and maybe this was enough ground to cover in terms of the man's good name. His reverence for the black bluesmen who made his career possible was made abundantly clear. All in all, we see Elvis for the uniting musical force that he was- breaking boundaries, paying homage, and irritating racists everywhere.

    Elvis is a well-paced and cinematic treat, both sonically and visually. Though a person's enjoyment of the film might largely depend upon their taste for his music and force in American culture, there is also a lot to be said in the film of show business itself, which will give viewers plenty to chew on. Part cautionary tale, part memorial to one of American music's biggest legends, Luhrmann largely does a good job at showing the dangers of excess and the parasitic ways in which greedy people can latch on to good things when others are at their most vulnerable.

Rating: 80/100