‘Elvis’ Review: Tom Hanks and Austin Butler in a Musical Biopic by Baz Luhrmann

Usually on television there are many movies about the life of Elvis Presley and some plays like Kurt Russell and Jonathan Rhys Myers. However, it’s hard to scratch the surface of this musical icon who died in 1977 at the age of 42. At the time of his death, Elvis was arguably larger than life, with his never-ending catalog, countless imitators, all previous biographies and endless books. But that’s how I always felt Definitely The fascinating story behind the king lies in his unique relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, and of course there are books about him, including the forgotten TV movie starring Bo Bridges.

But after seeing the latest Big Buzz Lurman biography, the title alone elvis The true story is about Parker, the carnival barker who, like in the Luhrmann movie, turns into a kind of doll that controls the lines of Presley’s career. The Luhrmann Visual and Vocal Festival in the movie (at least expected?) begins and ends today with Parker looking back and holding hands with Tom Hanks for a horribly memorable portrait and even as risky as Hanks. It focuses on this man who claims to be born in the USA and has served in the army even after illegally immigrating to the USA. Actually born in the Netherlands as Andreas Cornellis (Driss) Van Quick, he eventually played Tom. He took Parker’s name from his enlistment, and then added a “Colonel” in front of him when he was given the false and honorable title. Guerrero’s assistant in the (but completely unofficial) election campaign.

As the film hits theaters towards the end of Parker’s life in the late 1990s, we hear denial theories from Parker’s narrative that he was a child. this, And the ability to kill Elvis in the end actually wins him over. Completed elvis After the film’s largely linear spins, Parker saw the then-unknown Presley (Austin Butler) sexually twist his hips while the women in the audience were nervous. Lurman’s cameras Parker also felt clearly that this was his next triumph: the big capture. The site is where country star Hank Snow performs, and the next lineup is little Jimmy Rogers Snow (code Smith-McPhee), directed by Parker. As soon as he grabs Elvis by the claws, Parker significantly frees Snow. Parker knows where his bread is.

Surprisingly, Luhrmann continues to tell a story largely like a biography, an almost Wikipedia-like account of Presley’s rise, superstars, comebacks, Vegas years and fall, almost all of which was manipulated and fleshed out by Parker. But nothing is out of the ordinary in Lurman’s hands, and it’s clear that the director’s passion for the man behind the star is the driving force here.

Even at 2:39, Lurman (who wrote the script with Sam Brommel, Craig Pierce and Jeremy Donner) wasted no time. Early years of fame, enlisting in the military, Elvis’ dizzying film career (starting to be promising) rock prison Y Creole King, Only the girl repeated in the series of musicals and songs) and even discussed the role with Barbra Streisand. star is born, Parker’s idea in Deep Six.

One of the best movie series revolves around “The Return,” in which Elvis, wearing a black leather suit and returning to the music that created him, rekindles his career after Hollywood got fed up with the formula Parker had caught. The boy turned his back. Actually, Parker wanted a more casual Elvis in this particular show; He wanted to wear a Christmas sweater and sing Christmas carols, so he sold the show. However, he was the only person between Presley himself and special director Steve Binder (Declan Montgomery) to use the platform to return to the throne, ignoring Parker’s orders.

There’s a perpetual implication if Presley obeys his own natural instincts instead of letting Parker follow him. HE, Everything would be very different. The insightful nature of this movie portrays not only the man behind the hood, but also what the car behind Elvis really is and who made it possible.

Butler previously starred in the Quentin Tarantino movie Tex Watson. once in hollywood He’s an ideal choice for Presley, both visually and audibly, and actually sings his own song in the first half of his first Elvis term (replaced with real Elvis tracks in later years). Probably more than anyone who takes Elvis seriously, Butler is thrilled to succeed, especially in the first half of the movie, with an authentic pace that makes one wonder how big heights Elvis could have reached if he hadn’t obeyed Elvis’ dark side. .

Hanks does just that, and his original approach debunks Parker, although it’s a bit disconcerting for fans. Hanks shows us an elusive and subtle manipulator whose decisions about Presley’s career may have to do with hiding his dark past and gambling addiction.

Among the supporting cast, Olivia de Jong excels in the role of Priscilla Presley, especially in the moments when Elvis is confronted with anger about his growing drug addiction. Helen Thomson plays Mother Gladys beautifully. Among the black artists who have clearly influenced Elvis are Calvin Harrison Jr. and Alton Mason as Little Richard spends his days in the sun. Richard Roxburgh as father Vernon Presley and Luke Brace as Jerry Schilling are having important moments in Presley’s inner circle.

Technically it’s as cool as you think Buzz Luhrmann would produce, and that includes the wardrobe and production design by Oscar winner Catherine Martin. The musical aspects are excellent in every way. There’s also some agonizing code about real shots of the real Elvis in the Vegas scene in the last month of his life, where he’s wearing that sparkly white jumpsuit, his face is puffy, and he’s hiding behind dark glasses. At the time, he mainly lived on the fourth floor of the Hilton International in Las Vegas without an exit. Presley’s latest hit song “Suspicious Minds” opens with a line that ironically refers to a man, Myth, Himself: “You don’t know that I’m trapped. I can’t go out. “

Following its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival tonight, Warner Bros. will release the film worldwide on June 24. Producers Luhrmann, Martin, Gail Berman, Patrick McCormick and Schuiler Weiss.

Check out my video review with scenes from the movie above.