Baz Luhrmann returns with his flamboyant directing style with this biopic of the life of Elvis Presley (Austin Butler). This film is narrated by Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks), Elvis' founder and manager. Tom Parker narrates Elvis' rise to fame, his rocky relationship with Parker, his important relationship with his wife Priscilla (Olivia DeJonge), and his deterioration towards the end of his career and life.
When going to watch this film, I did not know much about Elvis Presley and the controlling relationship that he had with his manager. So even though this film was very long (2 hours and 39 minutes long!!) I was invested throughout to learn more about Elvis than what the cameras showed, this was also due to Baz Luhrmann's style which can never have you bored! When you go to watch this film you need to be prepared for a over the top, eccentric, all over the place Luhrmann style film with fast paced, frenetic editing. This film is like a montage (or a very long movie trailer) of the life of Elvis, but if you accept Luhrmann's style and go in with an open mind then this film will be an enjoyable ride, with some heartbreaking moments. The over the top, dazzling visuals are perfect for the musical numbers and match the eccentric performance that Elvis gave when he was on stage. Even though these visuals can be a little distracting and confusing at moments, overall the style worked to portray Elvis' quick rise to fame and the female fans reactions from all over the world.
What really made the film great though was Austin Butler as Elvis Presley. Butler isn't a very well known actor, who started out on Disney Channel and Nickelodeon, but recently he has been casted in more mainstream films including Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood in 2019 and now the lead in Elvis (2022). Butler stole the show in Elvis, he perfectly portrayed his electric and hypnotic singing, dancing and presence on stage that made women fall instantly in love with him. Butler fully embodies the persona of Elvis and gives what I would call an Oscar worthy performance. Even though in real life I wouldn't say that Butler looks much like Elvis when you watch this film you become entranced by Butler's performance and quickly forget what the real Elvis looked like.
If you go into this film not knowing much about Elvis, once you leave the cinema I'm sure you will be a fan of his incredible music, even if the film and Baz Luhrmann's style wasn't for you.
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