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.
Forty-five years after Elvis Presley’s death in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1977, there is still an argument over who and what was responsible for his widespread fame and fortune. In this larger-than-life biopic, Australian director Baz Luhrmann (“The Great Gatsby,” “Romeo + Juliet,” “Moulin Rouge”) lets Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks) give his version of what happened early on and details what a pivotal role he played in creating the legend behind the King of Rock and Roll. As the film opens, Colonel Parker is being rushed to the hospital, and in various states of seemingly mental confusion, he tells the story of how he came to the young Elvis’ (Austin Butler) rescue while he was trying to be discovered when no one but the younger folks felt that he had any actual talent. His main competition was Hank Snow (David Wenham), and compared to him, Elvis seemed like a bonafide misfit coming out on stage in a hot pink suit for his first major appearance. It was apparent from the beginning that Elvis loved the sound of African-American music that he could hear coming from the tents near where he hung out with his friends as a poor young kid in Tupelo, Mississippi. He was also spellbound as he peeked in on the nightclubs listening to B.B. King and Little Richard, where different elements of humankind were grinding profusely on each other and to the music that was so different from what he was used to hearing. Colonel Parker stayed in the shadows and followed the young kid around while he plotted his way into his life and his bank account.
As Elvis grew in his voice and popularity, his mother Gladys (Helen Thomson) tried her best to hold him close so he wouldn’t fall victim to the evils around him. While she and Vernon (Richard Roxburgh) did not approve of all the elements that came along with the music, they had to let go and allow Elvis to grow in his own right and save them. As Parker continuously found a way to carve this niche of a singer into the stratosphere, he exposed him to local and national fame. When Elvis was ostracized and threatened with jail for continuing to sing and grind to black folk’s music after being warned not to, Parker was convinced that sending him to join the military would be the best option to save face and clear the air. While there, Elvis met and fell in love with Priscilla (Olivia DeJonge), who was the daughter of a Military officer in Germany. After they married and had a child, Lisa Marie, Elvis returned to the states, and his popularity grew worldwide. Although Priscilla tried to stay humble while more and more women idolized her husband, she soon grew tired of the fame, fortune, and drugs that came along with him. While Elvis continued to make money and Parker continued to get further in debt with his gambling habits, Elvis soon became bored and fell victim to the craziness that went along with his career. When his mother died, he lost a significant part of who he was, which added to the trouble he was already making for himself. He soon lost his wife and his trust in the Colonel because he was being used as a pawn while his Vegas residency brought in millions of dollars for the Colonel and his handlers.
Near the end of Elvis’ life, he ended up in poor health. He squandered a lot of the money he made on the ills associated with his popularity and by Colonel Tom Parker who was accused of massive fraud and mismanagement. While Elvis’ estate and birthplace still rake in millions for his family, he will long be remembered for stealing the music and lyrics that made him the king of rock and roll he is known for today. While director Luhrmann does a great job in the casting of Elvis (Austin Butler singing most of his songs) and Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks), the retelling of Elvis’ story with all the glitz and glamour that came along with it, he also included the low points that many still don’t want to be reminded of in any form or fashion. For his fans, the film allows yet another opportunity to live again through the songs that Elvis was well known for despite the ultimate price he paid for his life as a result of his popularity.
In Theaters Friday, June 24th
