Movie Review: Overly Simplistic ‘Elvis Biopic Hits Streaming Services
I wasn't very happy when I watched the Elvis trailers and commercials. I don't see why her story needs to be told at this point in the story. However, with a strong box office performance, positive reception from critics, and a recent release on HBO Max, I decided it was worth checking out. While I found some interesting elements in this biography, I ultimately found it to be a very positive portrayal of Elvis that missed opportunities to explore the complexities of Elvis' legacy.
The story is told from the perspective of Elvis' former manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks), who follows Presley in 1988. It covers the main periods up to his death in 1977.
The chronicle of Cornell's rejection of the idea of a white artist using black music early in the film offers interesting opportunities for narrative complexity. Although Cornell was racist and violent, he was aware of the popularity of black music. When she meets Elvis, a white man fascinated by the blues and gospel, she finds the perfect vehicle to use her music. I felt this side of the story gave the biography a more contemporary relevance and I was looking forward to a more advanced and authentic biography of Elvis.
The film also contains visual plot elements. Luhrmann maintains his signature flamboyant style, and the film bursts with vivid colors, video editing, and creative transitions. This works especially well during a spectacular performance sequence where actor Austin Butler showcases Elvis' voice, dancing and charisma.
Unfortunately, the film presents a rosy and unfounded picture of Elvis. The Elvis story is not without its problematic elements, such as his involvement with underage women, including his wife Priscilla, whom he began dating at the age of 14, and side facts about Elvis' support of an anti-communist agenda. While Nixon highlights how Elvis brought professional attention to black artists such as Little Richard, BB King, and Big Mama Thornton, Nixon significantly downplays Elvis' impact on black culture.
Even though Tom Hanks is a veteran on his resume, I felt he was just as miscast as the Colonel. Hanks constantly brings out the melody and pulls the audience out of the film's immersion. I didn't find the Colonel as scary as the story was supposed to be; This makes Elvis' on-screen exploits hard to believe.
Finally, the second half of the film is too narratively structured for its own good. There seems to be a constant tension between the Colonel and the Elvis story, which makes the film very loose in structure.
In the end, I feel like there are a lot of other movies I would have chosen over Elvis. The film's lack of complexity does not make up for its 159-minute running time.
Correction 9/17/2022. An earlier version of this review stated that Elvis Presley died in 1973. Presley died in 1977.
