‘Elvis’: A dazzling tribute to The King

'Elvis' poster, starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks. Source: Instagram

By Emily-Rose Toohey

Elvis Presley, one of the most famous names in popular culture, received the Hollywood biopic treatment with Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Elvis’, playing only in theatres.

Austin Butler plays the titular role and stands out in a rollercoaster of a film with frenetic pacing and a million cutaway shots.

‘Elvis’ follows the ‘King of Rock and Roll’ from the early stages of his career after meeting his manager, Colonel Tom Parker (played rather confusingly by Tom Hanks).

It details parts of the singer’s life from the 50s until the 70s, right before his death at age 42.

While ‘Elvis’ doesn’t shy away from Parker’s extreme mismanagement and financial abuse of the star as well as key career moments, it doesn’t spend a lot of time exploring Elvis’ personal relationships.

The death of his mother, early childhood moments, marriage to his wife Priscilla, drug addiction, and familial relationships are brushed over and not explored throughout the two-and-a-half-hour film.

Because ‘Elvis’ was framed and essentially narrated by Parker, this storytelling choice limited viewer’s access to the star’s personal life.

The movie is a failure in that sense as it doesn’t reveal more than what’s public knowledge or tried to explore the person behind the myth.

However, it is successful stylistically (as one would expect from a Baz Luhrmann production – the usual dramatic flare) with its engaging pacing, music, and cinematography.

But it’s Austin Butler’s star-making turn as Elvis that’s the true highlight.

Butler famously won the role from a selection of hopefuls that included Harry Styles, Miles Teller, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson among others.

The 30-year-old actor has had an interesting career so far and since spending years popping up on Disney and Nickelodeon Channel programming, has slowly and strategically built a Hollywood career outside of these minor appearances.

This includes acting in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood (2019) and The Dead Don’t Die (2019).

But what really seems to have solidified Butler’s place in Hollywood is his recent casting as Feyd-Rautha in Dune: Part 2 (2023), alongside Timothee Chalamet.

Director Denis Villeneuve’s much-anticipated Dune (2021) sequel features an all-star ensemble, which the up-and-comer will be part of.

‘Elvis’ also features other rising actors in supporting roles, including Kelvin Harrison Jr as B.B. King, and Australian actors Olivia DeJonge as Priscilla Presley, Kodi Smitt-McPhee as Jimmie Rodgers, and Dacre Montgomery as Steve Binder.

As a whole, the film’s dazzling composition, stunning musical numbers, and Butler’s magnetic performance ought to keep audiences captivated throughout its lengthy runtime.

However, viewer beware: the works of Aussie directing icon Baz Luhrmann are not exactly for everyone, and parts of ‘Elvis’ are the creator at his most camp.

But the intoxicating overall product makes it hard to look away – not that anyone should want to.

‘Elvis’ is currently playing exclusively at movie theatres.