by Tabatha Golat –
I’m all shook up this month over the new Baz Luhrmann film Elvis starring the insanely talented Austin Bulter as the “King of Rock” Elvis Presley.
After a long hiatus from filmmaking, director Baz Luhrmann released his lively musical biopic of the late great Elvis Aaron Presley, a long-awaited production that’s been in the making since 2014. Elvis purists may flinch at the biographical inaccuracies but will be hard-pressed to deny the flamboyantly fun retelling of his rise to fame, while new fans of The King are bound to revel in his music and rags to riches story.
Told from the perspective of Elvis’ money-hungry manager Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks) we are guided through the highlights of Elvis’ humble start, ascent to stardom, and subsequent untimely death at the age of 42. Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, and raised on gospel and blues, Elvis was destined for fame. His electric energy and gyrating performances propelled him from radio to television to film and everything in between.
Known for his lavish, over-the-top filmmaking, Luhrmann guides us through the whirlwind of music, money, love, fame, and sweat that made Elvis’ life so tragically interesting, but the true artistry of the film is the brilliant portrayal of Elvis by actor Austin Butler. Butler trained daily for two years with a dialect and movement coach to perfect the movement and drawl of Elvis, training that paid off in spades as the majority of viewers and critics were left wondering if the soundtrack was Butler or Elvis singing. The answer is both! Butler’s voice is heard on the earlier songs in the film including Suspicious Minds and Can’t Help Falling in Love, (amongst others) while snippets of his voice and original Elvis tracks are blended together in scenes of Elvis’ later years. The decision by Luhrmann to blend the two vocalists’ performances was an effort to create authenticity in the final edit. In the words of my co-viewer and mother-in-law: “You could barely tell the two apart at times.”
Whether you are already a fan of Elvis, or simply looking to enjoy a retelling of the icon’s life through the flashy, bold and cinematic expression of director Baz Luhrmann, I highly recommend trekking to the theatre to view this spectacular film. From his humble beginnings to grandiose performances in Vegas, Elvis was a born showman and this retelling of his life is a must-watch this summer.
Looking for other summer hits to add to your list? Check out my summer Blockbuster recommendations below.
1. Thor Love and Thunder
2. Top Gun: Maverick
3. Jurassic World Dominion
4. Nope
