The large audience certainly never gets tired of Elvis, whether as an artist or as a cultural icon on the very top shelf. When we now get a film with the short title Elvis, we must be able to expect a proper review – changed in one way or another.
In Elvis (2022), we follow the legendary artist’s journey from his rise in the mid-1950s as a groundbreaking white rock musician influenced by both country and blues, all the way to his tragic decline in the mid-1970s, when he passed away exhausted and overweight.
Unlike many biographical films that focus on a single period or theme in an artist’s life, Baz Luhrmann takes a broader approach. He offers a sweeping look at Elvis Presley’s entire career, while also delving into some of the key childhood experiences that shaped him. This gives the film a rich, layered portrayal of his evolution, both as an artist and as a person.
Depiction of Elvis Presley’s Career
If we were to suggest a subtitle for Elvis, it could perhaps be “Elvis – A Career.” In many ways, the film highlights the story of the “self-made man,” but it also emphasizes the crucial fact that, like anyone else, Elvis relied heavily on others. Enter the film’s second central character: Tom Parker, or Colonel Tom Parker, as he preferred to be known. Parker was Elvis’ manager and business partner throughout his career—a professional showbiz gatekeeper, but also a man who made sure to line his own pockets with a substantial share of the profits. The decision to tell much of the narrative through the lens of the aging Parker proves to be a smart one.
Luhrmann places the most emphasis on the later part of Elvis’ career, particularly the four years he spent performing regular shows at the International Hotel in Las Vegas. It was during this period that Elvis reached the peak of his global fame. However, when it comes to his cultural influence or the most musically exciting chapters of his career, this Las Vegas era doesn’t measure up. By then, Elvis was a mere shadow of his former self, living as a drug-addled “has-been” in a city that became synonymous with his decline.
Another Costume Drama
Luhrmann, who has previously tackled grand costume dramas—most notably The Great Gatsby (2013)—applies his trademark aesthetic flair once again in Elvis. While his visual style is undoubtedly effective, I’m not entirely convinced it’s the best choice for this particular story. Elvis is not just a pop star—he’s one of the biggest figures in music history, shrouded in myth and legend. So much has been written and speculated about him that capturing his entire story in a single film, even one running over two and a half hours, feels like an insurmountable task. What Luhrmann does is present a series of stylistically directed, illustrative scenes—sometimes more focused on spectacle than substance. Some moments feel as empty as a mid-tier commercial for a bicycle, while others, like the depictions of Memphis’ 1950s music scene, are more captivating.
However, the film doesn’t delve into some of the more significant chapters of Elvis’ life with the depth they deserve. At times, crucial events are glossed over. For instance, Elvis’ sudden rise to riches is conveyed almost as an afterthought, with the next scene showing him already wealthy enough to buy Graceland without much context. We never really explore the significance of the mansion. Similarly, the death of Elvis’ mother, a pivotal moment in his life, is handled in less than 20 seconds. She was perhaps Elvis’ most important role model, and her loss is barely acknowledged.
Elvis is far from an intimate, heartfelt portrait of the man himself. It doesn’t provide a deep exploration of Elvis, the person. That said, there are occasional moments of genuine emotional depth. Some brief but poignant scenes, like the intimate conversations between Elvis and his mother early in his career, or the tender moments between Elvis and Priscilla—first in the throes of young love and later, as a divorced couple—offer a glimpse of the man behind the myth.
When it comes to the performances, Tom Hanks’ portrayal of Colonel Tom Parker stands out. Hanks delivers a fascinating, layered performance as a man with little social awareness but a genius for business, navigating his way through Elvis’ career with both manipulation and devotion. Austin Butler, playing Elvis, is also strong in the role, capturing the essence of the King while bringing his own unique interpretation to the character.
Another commendable aspect of the film is how it acknowledges Elvis’ debt to black musicians, such as Arthur Crudup, BB King, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and Big Mama Thornton. The film doesn’t shy away from the historical context of racial segregation in the U.S., and we get glimpses into how this aspect of his career shaped his music and his legacy.
More Myth and Less Reality
Through the grandeur of Luhrmann’s storytelling, Elvis reinforces the myth of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, pushing it even further into the realm of legend. The film elevates Elvis to almost god-like status, showcasing his larger-than-life persona more than the man behind it. The myth itself is elevated to an even more monumental level, with even the Warner Brothers logo at the beginning of the film transformed into golden lettering—setting the tone for the extravagance to follow. In a way, this cinematic treatment elevates Elvis’ mythos beyond what we’ve seen before, which, while visually stunning, leaves one wondering if a different kind of story could be told—one that digs deeper into the human behind the myth.
But perhaps, for the fans, this film is exactly what they want. Nearly three hours packed with visual splendor, snippets of Elvis’ iconic music, and a quick brush over some historical moments—all wrapped in Luhrmann’s unmistakable style. It doesn’t go too deep into any one subject but offers just enough to keep the audience entertained. For many, this balance of grandeur and nostalgia might be precisely what they’re looking for—a well-curated selection of Elvis moments that feels satisfying without being overwhelming. And in that sense, this film likely hits the mark for those who seek a thrilling ride through the myth of Elvis Presley.
