#REVIEW: “ELVIS”

Review by Mr. Will Wong

In the final frames of Baz Luhrmann‘s Elvis, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll pours his heart into a rendition of “Unchained Melody“, sweat dripping off his forehead. “And time goes by/So slowly…”, he sings as his female fans cheer and scream emphatically. Time going by slowly certainly isn’t the case in this dazzling spectacle.  Its two-and-a-half hour runtime if anything, goes by too quickly.

This Biopic, works on two levels. It’s a riveting ride to mega-stardom for Elvis Presley (younger version Chaydon Jay, adult Austin Butler) growing-up impoverished, finding himself connecting deeply to African-American music even if this subjected him to judgment. Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks) guides his career and life, captitalizing off his popularity, and we soon see Elvis‘ ascent happen feverishly, with friends and family dependent on him and fans waiting outside his home. Parents and politicians begin to take issue with his controversial music and pelvic-thrusting performances. Pressured to yield to their clean-cut values, he begins to struggle with his own identity and art. From here, we see things unravel personally for Elvis, all while he propels to the legendary heights.

This is an astounding performance from Butler, whom I knew only from short-lived Sex and the City spinoff The Carrie Diaries prior. It reverberates long after the flashy End Credits, like Elvis‘ unmistakable vibrato. It is especially in the latter parts of Elvis‘ life, where his emotional and financial troubles mount, where Butler truly captures his pain, his essence. This is a breathtaking level of commitment and detail in this meticulous study. And it literally becomes a game guessing which vocals are actually those of The King versus Butler. His close resemblance had us wondering if we were looking actual interspliced footage of Elvis himself performing on-stage or in quiet moments in the dark shadows of his luxury hotel suite.

My takeaway from ELVIS is that the America in which Elvis reigned, still today is grappling with the same themes of inequity and Conservatism. Elvis despite being forced to fit a mold at the urging of his Manager who is striking illicit deals behind his back and squandering those riches at the casino, still always followed his own instincts and inner rhythm. That is something I can identify with and the Film successfully balances what that struggle meant to him.

Luhrmann in shimmery hues, paints a compassionate, humanizing portrait of Elvis which on the same token, pays adoration and respect to The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. It explores the emotional battles and subsequent consequences he faced, being manipulated by a self-serving Colonel Tom Parker. In a post Free Britney-world, Luhrmann really has us pondering Artists’ rights and control, plus abuses of power. ELVIS isn’t just a Biopic and entertainment, it is a statement.

Are you lonesome tonight? Will you be joining Elvis?

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release ELVIS in theatres June 24, 2022.