Elvis

Elvis 2022

• Director: Baz Luhrman
• Seen by this director: The Great Gatsby, Australia, Moulin Rouge, Romeo & Julia, Strictly Ballroom
• Based on the book: no
• Cast: Tom Hanks, Austin Butler, Olivia DeJonge, Helen Thomson, Richard Roxburgh
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Tom Hanks – The Circle, Sully, Cloud Atlas, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Cast Away, Catch Me If You Can, Road to Perdition, The Green Mile, You Have Mail, Saving Private Ryan, Forrest Gump, Philadelphia, Sleepless in Seattle, A League of Their Own, Punchline
• Austin Butler – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
• Richard Roxburgh – Hacksaw Bridge, Moulin Rouge
• Why? Elvis
• Seen: 14 April 2023      

       If you’ve spent any time on Planet Earth, you know who Elvis is. If you grew up anytime after the 50s in the Western Hemisphere, especially the northern half you know the story.

       The film goes deeper.

       Col Parker (Hanks) narrates the story and takes all the credit for bringing Elvis to the world and none of the blame for his early death.

       I’m one of those who say that Elvis was brilliant until he joined the army and was ruined by all those dreadful films, but he never stopped being fascinating. This film does a brilliant snow job (Parker’s own words) telling the story.

       It’s Baz Luhrman. See it. It’s flawed, yes, but see it. 

4 ½ * of 5