A skinny Southerner running through dusty leaden trenches, hoping for random visits from blue-eyed country singers, and spending the majority of his time imagining himself to be a superhero by combining all of these powers. That is just how simply one can recall the early parts of Elvis Presley’s life. Except, they would have a hard time accepting that one of his songs created a tizzy on American radio. That revealed to the world that his superpowers were pre-existing and he didn’t need any borrowed power.
Then, within months, he discovered another superpower. This was accentuated by his sex appeal; pelvic pumping, gyrating humps, making girls woozy. While a plethora of girls burst out to have a piece of Elvis, the other seven taloned creatures tried to expose him for the world to find as lewd. This topsy-tury jiggling rumbles the kings’ effervescent kingdom little by little.
The depiction of the above through Baz Luhrmann’s eyes is fascinating. His narration is both comical and glittery, and gives you a taste of a vintage wine that needs to be sipped little by little. However, at times, he also makes us drink it too fast and spills it on our clothes.
This biography leaves you wanting more of Elvis’s past, and how his bonded slave years within the International Hotel in Vegas transpired aside from the non-televised versions. You might hunger to know that side of the King, but leave content when, after all, it’s a celebration of his life.
At the hands of a reasonably charismatic Austin Butler, justice is done to the late singer’s afterimage. The film is supported by the ever enigmatic and old school principal, Tom Hanks, portraying the controversial manager of the King, "Colonel Tom Parkar". The entire visual treat experiences a shuffling of emotions, giddiness, and excitement. At the same time, though, it slows down and people might not be able to see the same experiences as Elvis himself. Surely they don’t need a doctor to treat it.
Overall, the prowess of showmanship must, hands down, go to Baz. This is his vision, his idea, and, of course, his ability to show how much Elvis loved his fans forever. The same spectacle is clear, through the different takes that scope the latter’s life altogether.
Austin Butler has an Oscar lurking somewhere, and it won’t be a surprise if he gets it. Meanwhile, this movie will certainly go down as a memorial of love, exchanged which Elvis couldn’t wait upon and left the building.