Elvis, the movie based on the life of American Super Star, Pop Culture Icon, King of Rock and Roll- Elvis Presley. Now for a man who has garnered so many titles in a life of only 42 years, how can you expect 2 hrs. 39 minutes can do justice to it. Thankfully, the film is helmed by Baz Luhrmann and stars Austin Butler who has been given the responsibility to make the cultural icon rise from the dead. While Baz Luhrmann isn’t a household name but his films have always found myself to be drawn towards. Films like The Great Gatsby and Moulin Rouge have always shown when he gets it right, he makes it worth while for you. His films ooze of style and flare. With great visuals and an amazing soundtrack, his films demand a theatric experience and today I was able to witness it myself. So, does the film fall short as most his films or does it stand out from the rest? Well, this is what we’re here to find out. So, let’s get into it without any further ado.
Note – The Following Article is Spoiler-Free
Rating – ★★★★
Is Elvis Baz Luhrmann’s Best Film To Date?
Apart from the talk of the Austin Butler, the film also stars Hollywood legend Tom Hanks, who plays Elvis’s Manager- Tom Parker. Elvis has all the elements of a Baz Luhrmann film, great scale, great sets, great visuals and this should be duh… but great music as well. The opens with Tom Parker telling us Elvis’s story. While I have to admit, I’m not a fan of his storytelling methods via voiceovers, the film does grab your attention quiet quickly.
The film definitely plays around with The Gatsby method of introducing your main character and let me tell you for about 10 minutes into the film we don’t see Austin Butler as Elvis. He is just teased to us, much like DiCaprio in The Great Gatsby but the wait, the anticipation just makes it better. There is no denying Elvis is portrayed like a god like figure in this film and Luhrmann doesn’t hesitate to go all out. When we do see Austin as Elvis the pay off is great as great musical number starts.
Since that the film doesn’t seem to drop a beat. It goes flying past the Legend’s life and shows us how Presley merged the White and Black cultures. It explains us why his music his music was so different yet so familiar. The film despite treating him as a God, doesn’t back down when it comes to showing his vulnerabilities or shortcomings. The film on a story level follows a classical pattern and it does have the style and flair of a Baz Luhrmann film. Exotic camera angles, shining sets that blind your eyes, eccentric transition, it has got everything.
While the film’s script may not be technically sound like recent films, this film has something most recent films lack. Love. The film is orchestrated with Love. You can feel it. The way some scenes or shots don’t need to be there but are there merely because of the love the creator has for the subject matter. The film thus feel a bit stretched or slow in some parts in the second half but it always has you hooked. The music of the film is absolutely phenomenal, great work by Elliott Wheeler.
The music on many occasions take the steering wheel in the storytelling department and provides us with truly jaw-dropping moments in the film. The music is not an added element to the film rather it is the film. The film is justifiably a Musical. Not an attempt to spoil anything but in the second half there’ll be a moment where the musical number will make you sit at the edge of your seat and experience the music touch your soul. It gave me goosebumps. So, to answer the question. Elvis is definitely Baz Luhrmann’s best works, along with The Great Gatsby.
The Austin Butler Show
I know everyone was waiting for this. Did Austin Butler pass his big test? Did he do justice? Well, not that the film is out we can finally decide on it. When the film was just announced and the casting hadn’t been done yet there were a lot of rumors around who will be cast as Elvis. The names included Harry Styles, Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort. Well, none of them made the cut and the part was finally given to Austin Butler and well naturally there was quite a backlash from the fans.
When you make a make a film on one of the most important people in American history, this is something you have to face. While the skepticism in people’s mind wavered off when they saw the first look of the film. Austin’s performance as Elvis just kept getting better as we saw more footage from the film. Now, that I’ve seen the film I can safely say that Austin Butler was the best choice to play Elvis Presley as he has given this role his everything.
The film works because of his conviction as Elvis and he never gives a weak scene. He portrays Elvis in his hay day and his worst days with equal emotions and charm. Such films that are so dependent on one person, it is very important that the lead star comes through. Austin amazes us with his impersonation as Elvis along with the masterfully choreographed wiggle of Elvis. He brings the same energy as the late Music icon.
He not only shines in moments on stage but also the off stage moments, where he needed to be grounded and portray Elvis in a realistic way. A human, with all his faults and glories. I’m not aware if Butler had anything to do with the hair, make-up and costumes for his character but let me tell you they were spot on. At the end of the film, we see some original footage of Elvis and it is surprising how well they’ve recreated some things.
Austin’s career has been going well with his inclusion as Charles Watson in Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. The Elvis star has been a part of numerous TV shows and movies, his recent choices suggests his quality of working improving. With this critically acclaimed performance in Elvis that has everyone stunned and his recent addition to Villeneuve’s Dune part two, his career seems to be on the right track.
To conclude, Austin Butler looks Elvis Presley in the film and definitely feels like Elvis Presley in the film. I know it is early but I’d like to start the Oscar chatter. I’d very much like to see Austin win an Oscar for his portrayal of Elvis like Rami Malek for Bohemian Rhapsody. If I was in any committee I’d hand him that Golden Trophy just this minute. So, to answer was it a Austin Butler Show? Yes, it was. With a good support from Tom Hanks that creates a menacing yet understated antagonist.
Verdict
The film will definitely go down as one of the best films of the year and best from Luhrmann. No wonder he had 4 hour long version. It felt like there was so much more he wanted to say but he had a time constraint. The film is a work of passion and it definitely is 4 out 5 stars. I’d like to see a director’s cut for this film. Elvis is a film to be enjoyed in theatres. It is the best film you can watch this weekend. To answer the question raised by the title. No, the film isn’t too long. It is too good!
Let me know if you’re planning to watch Elvis this weekend, do you agree with my views on it? Elvis is currently playing in theatres.
If you have any questions regarding Elvis, feel free to ask in the comments below. For more content, stay tuned. As usual, like, subscribe and share our articles as we here are trying to build a community of people High on Cinema!
