Barrett Brief Movie Review – A Little Less Baz Luhrmann, A Little More Elvis Presley

Barrett Brief Movie Review – A Little Less Baz Luhrmann, A Little More Elvis Presley

Summary: From his childhood in Tupelo, Mississippi to his rise to stardom starting in Memphis, Tennessee and his conquering of Las Vegas, Nevada, Elvis Presley becomes the first rock ‘n roll star and changes the world with his music.

Genre:  Drama, Music, Biography

Elvis. Everyone has an Elvis song that they like. He is the standard. This isn’t the first biography put to film, that goes to the Kurt Russell 1979 picture. I am sure it will not be the last. That is a good thing. Baz Luhrmann tries to use his very unique style to capture the dramatic rise of the King. However, the need to put his “stamp” on the film, coupled with the very prominent role of Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks) makes Elvis a side character in his own film. I contrast this with one of my favorite films of all time, 2005’s Walk The Line with Joaquin Phoenix portraying Johnny Cash. That film had a profound impact on my life. I cannot say the same with Elvis. This is truly a shame, because the performance of Austin Butler (Elvis) is worthy of a better film and a director that isn’t focused on himself. Luhrmann over-stylized brand of filming is a character in his films, and it takes away time from the actual performers. There is a truly great movie in here, but it is buried by Luhrmann and Hanks. 

The Elevation Of A Nobody Instead Of Focusing On The Somebody 

I know very little of Elvis Presley, outside of the cultural stories and his run with Johnny Cash during their days at Sun Records. Watching Elvis you can be excused if you are a bit annoyed at waiting almost 15 minutes into the film to actually see him. I guess that is what happened when you have a figure that is so well known, you have to invent new angles to approach the story. I also guess that Tom Hanks is not at the point in his career where he is satisfied doing minor parts. Reading up on Colonel Tom Parker, I don’t get the sense he was as important as the film wants him to be. This is the biggest crime of this movie, in order for it to be original, they sacrificed the very thing that made it interesting. I do not care to watch Tom Hanks in a fat suit running around with a dutch accent. This isn’t 1998 and he isn’t a headliner anymore. People are coming to the movie Elvis to see Elvis, and instead we get a made up story about his greedy business manager. All of this is compounded by the fact this movie is 159 minutes long. So there is no excuse for under-developed characters. 

 The Cast

What an absolute waste of Austin Butler. He gives it his all, and I was floored with the way he was able to mimic his mannerism, charisma & emotion emptiness that Presley eventually deals with. He is almost worth the price of admission alone, and he is a dark horse during award season. He is as much Elvis and Joaquin Phoenix was Johnny Cash. Olivia DeJonge (Priscilla) is very good in the role, but once again doesn’t get much to do because we have to keep going back to Hanks. She has good chemistry with Butler. Helen Thomson (Gladys) tries to convey the mother/son bond, but there isn’t enough time to really establish it. Remember that this is a 2hr and 39 minute movie. How are any of these characters underdeveloped? 

Also one thing I have to mention is the use of modern day music in a film about Elvis. You have one of the greatest collections of songs and you are giving me hip-hop mashups? Seriously stay in your lane. 

Highs & Lows

Highs: Austin Bulter 

Lows: Tom Hanks, Baz Luhrmann 

GD Counter: 12 times (minimum)

Overall

Elvis buries the amazing performance of Austin Butler to satisfy the ego’s of Tom Hanks and Baz Luhrmann, and that leaves us all with reservations at the Heartbreak Hotel. 

Score:

2 1/2 out of 4 

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