The big screen version of Elvis by Baz Luhrmann is a glitter bomb explosion of sequins, swaying, and music. Capturing the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s electrifying energy and stage presence at a breathtaking pace. In an instant Austin Butler is alive on the screen with a performance that is lightning in a bottle. He shimmies and shakes while dripping sensual rivers of sweat. I wish Elvis had played himself in his biopic. A fat suit and prosthetics clad Tom Hanks takes center stage as the perverted Colonel Tom Parker. The story is narrated by Elvis’s conniving manager and promoter who commands most of the screen time.
The film opens with an overweight aged Parker (Hanks) hooked up to a morphine drip in hospital. He complains about being blamed for Elvis’s death wrongly. It was responsible for creating the greatest carnival show ever made. Parker considered himself to be a “Snowman”. He would suck out every cent from your pocket yet make you smile.
Parker recalls running country music tour in early fifties LA where all white boys were singing coloured songs. Parker had to see this unheard of act which was happening before him then picked up his guitar and started playing along- he was always ready to jump into any situation as long as it appeared beneficial financially or otherwise . A nervous young Elvis Presley (Butler) receives encouragement from his adoring mother (Helen Thomson) backstage before going onstage! With his wailing vocals and suggestive thrusting, Elvis sets knickers on fire throughout the crowd . Teen girls leap to their feet in wild applause . Shocked Parker stands by mesmerized as every woman falls under Elvis’s spell.
The film goes back to Mississippi where poor young Chaydon Jay plays young Elvis with Richard Roxburgh as his incarcerated father they live among black sharecroppers. Gospel preachers fascinated him so much that he could not even take his eyes off them! As a teenager in Memphis, he frequently went to juke joints on Beale Street to watch musicians play blues. With their shiny suits and perfect pompadours, he worshipped these artists’ flamboyant style. Elvis embraced their music, style and theatrics. He couldn’t miss this golden opportunity but had to sign Elvis and take over his career.
Elvis is directed by Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge!, The Great Gatsby) who tells stories with energetic flair that goes well beyond the norm. It’s a movie of rapid cuts, split-screens, swooping camera movements, flashy visual cues . Parker introduces each scene through voice-over before it bursts into dance sequences and musical episodes altogether. While using tracks from blues, gospel, and current R&B albums for Elvis’ songs, Luhrmann also pays tribute to neglected black musicians who influenced him so much . They never saw his wealth , fame or riches . There is an interesting encounter between B.B King (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) trying to make Elvis not forget about his black roots as he become famous in the white world. He would surpass all levels within a racist America where segregation was rampant which even B.B King could not achieve.
The Allegro tempo remains constant for the first two sections of the film; however , there is a change in pace when we reach the sixties and find out about Elvis as world famous actor/singer . After marrying young Priscilla Wagner (Olivia DeJonge), Elvis’ father loosens up on Parker’s iron grip. Austin Butler gets down from stage where he showcases magnificent acting skills. During those days of racial unrest and violence he became very distressed . He looks at himself as an artist who has been commoditized like some other products. Finally recognizing Parker dressed as Devil on shoulder was too late- it came at great cost . Now hopelessly hooked on pills and adored by his fans, Elvis was beyond help.
The story has Tom Hanks driving it, and that is Luhrmann’s error. There is an interdependence between Parker and Elvis, but the latter is given too much representation in the film. I would have loved to see more of a layered character of Elvis besides what he let show on the outside. Instead, we know about Elvis through Parker’s perspective right from the start to the end. It looks like Luhrmann was reluctant enough to give Austin Butler any kind of narrative control.
Elvis rouses despite running long at two and a half hours. The musical numbers were amazing. You’ll want to jump and dance like fans. Additionally, it well pays homage to those who influenced him in his career as a musician. This will be divisive for audiences; Tom Hanks steals his thunder from Austin Butler, which begs the question if this portrayal by Baz could possibly have worked with another actor. No one wants to watch a Col.Tom Parker movie
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