Elvis Presley. We all know the name, we know the man with the unique voice, the bright costumes, and the seductive moves.
But many of us don’t know much about the man behind the star persona, given that his larger-than-life image obscures the struggles, pain and betrayal he endured on his journey towards becoming the King of Rock and Roll, a moniker that has only grown stronger despite his untimely death in 1977.
Critics and fans alike cite director and producer Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 Elvis as the best portrayal of the star to date.
Austin Butler’s portrayal of Elvis is nothing short of extraordinary, perfectly capturing his persona and signature moves, and one would swear Elvis himself did the voiceover.
Tom Hanks plays the controversial and ethically dubious Colonel Tom Parker, who was Presley’s manager.
Once you are able to get past the accent and the prosthetic nose and chin, it becomes clear that Hanks put quite a bit of effort into the role.
The film follows the complicated relationship between Presley and Parker from when they met in 1955, until the end of his career in 1977.
The film showcases the great lengths Parker went to in order to take Presley’s career to greater heights, and the entitlement he felt towards Presley’s wealth because of this.
Parker was responsible for getting Presley all his major gigs and even transforming him into a movie star.
We watch as Parker swindles Presley of his fortune by claiming 50% of all his earnings and denying him opportunities to conduct world tours.
The film also portrays Presley’s relationship with his ex-wife Priscilla in an accurate manner, though it does gloss over the age difference between the two when they initially met, as Priscilla was 14, while Elvis was 24.
The love that the two shared, and the support Presley received from his wife is evident, even after the divorce.
Butler does a stellar job in his performance, and the soundtrack is also to be commended. This film is highly recommended for anyone who wants to experience Elvis Presley for two hours and 40 minutes.
