Review of Elvis (2022) by Jluis_001 — 26 Jun 2022

Baz Luhrmann's Elvis is not what could accurately be described as a biopic, especially for concentrating its narrative on an unreliable narrator like Colonel Tom Parker, though I must say that focusing on the puppeteer of one of the greatest music figures of all time presented plot possibilities for which Lurhmann, unfortunately, lacks the necessary subtlety.

That's perhaps one of the most conflicting elements of this film; its own struggle between the grandiosity of its staging and what clearly needed a more nuanced treatment.

What is presented is a mix that comes out quite well, but doesn't manage to become the epic it promised it would be.

Baz Lurhmann is too well known for favoring style over substance, and although here he was more restrained and had to keep things more grounded because Elvis was a real person and couldn't take so many liberties, his visual approach gives his film a distinct personality, which his script fails to achieve to a greater extent, but I would find it highly inaccurate to say he did things carelessly, because the good quality is there.

Speaking of the performances. Of those that I really have to mention, first is Tom Hanks who's very good in a role that makes him a detestable figure, but the one who deserves all the recognition is Austin Butler who is stunning in his role as Elvis.

He really went all the way and delivers a performance that under any other circumstances would have earned him an Oscar nomination without a problem.

This is a role that will define his career for years to come, even if he doesn't do better after it. It's all up to him. He's already made clear that he has talent to do so, and considering his credits so far, with this film and that he will also be part of Dune Part Two, it goes without saying that the doors are now wide open for him to take off. Only time will tell.

Now concluding I have to say that whether you like what Lurhmann does or not, I am of the opinion that you should see this film.