Elvis

“ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING”

WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS!!!

In 2013 The Great Gatsby was released and contained all that you expect from a Baz Luhrmann production: fast paced editing, excellent cinematography (with that extra pizzazz), and of course the signature soundtrack. And then, once more, cinema was deprived of his genius for almost ten years.

You may say, genius? I know, you may think I’m exaggerating here. However, I would argue that Baz Luhrmann is one of the best directors of our time. He knows how to knit everything together so seamlessly (which is ironic given that his penchant for snappy editing can give the appearance of chaos, but it really works!); the story, the music, the editing, the cinematography…it all blends together beautifully to create a cinematic work of art.

Elvis is that work of art.

The opening sections of the movie switches quickly, back and forth, between Colonel Tom Parker’s (Tom Hanks) voice-over narrative and Elvis’ (Austin Butler) childhood. It’s the fast pace we’re used to with Luhrmann, but after a while, the pace slows, and the story takes over. And what a story it is. Parker is portrayed as the villain of Elvis’ story – the agent that pushed him into the grave. Tom Hanks portrays this seemingly caring Parker on face value, but he uses Elvis like a gift-horse, his money making machine that will alleviate him of his debts…yet no one seems to recognise this until it is too late. The fact that his villainy is hidden behind the façade of a caring old man, makes it all the more sinister.

Luhrmann’s movie highlights Elvis the rebel, the man who wouldn’t follow the rules and reign in his identity. The man who used his music to speak to people when horrific events were unfolding around them – which his “If I can dream” song was created for. Yet, while we see the Elvis we are used to, as this confident, talented singer, with the iconic moves, this movie also brings us into his private life, the sadness and the pressure that he carried, particularly in his later years. Watching his story unfold from this eager young man, waiting to become a star, to a man worn down by years of performing and substance abuse, was heart-breaking.

Rather than focusing on an aspect of Elvis’ life, the film encompasses his entire life; it’s a lot of ground to cover, but it’s done very well. Austin Butler portrays Elvis in all his years, and it is just a masterclass in acting; particularly in how he plays Elvis in his later years. Butler did the singing for young Elvis, and the way he trained his voice in order to sound like him is incredible. He truly does embody Elvis (so much so that he’s still carried the accent with him into the press tour), the voice, the accent, the moves, the mannerisms, you can tell that he put a lot of research into this role, and gave it his all. The effort and dedication that went into making this movie really comes through on the screen. It really is a love letter to Elvis, and to his music. Of course, mixed in with Elvis’ music is a more modern soundtrack that works perfectly within the context of each scene they are weaved into. As always, Luhrmann’s choice of songs for his movies are on point.

The last minutes of the movie are the most gut-wrenching, knowing that his death is imminent. The film ends with Butler performing Elvis’ last concert, and it cuts to real footage of Elvis himself, looking worn, yet you can still see his love for music come through. The last thought we are left with is from Parker, when he asks the audience, if he really was the cause of Elvis’ death, or was it his audience, constantly hungry for more of him? With Elvis’ last appearance on screen in front of you, and that question in your mind, you begin to wonder if you are culpable.

The words “Elvis has left the building” echo through the cinema room…but though Elvis has left the building, he lives on through his music.

Like the closing words of the movie, Elvis is a film that will echo and stay with you for a long time…

Directed by: Baz Luhrmann

My Rating: 5/5