Elvis -2022-PG13
I was just a nosy little kid in 1957 when I eavesdropped on my older sister whispering to her friend over the phone that “Elvis the Pelvis” was about to perform on tv. The Ed Sullivan “we have a really big show tonight” was a Sunday staple at our home so I expectantly curled up on the green divan next to my mom hoping Topo Gigio wouldn’t take up too much of the time—I couldn’t wait to see this Elvis person do his crazy gyrations. To my 6-year old dismay, the cameras shot only from his waist up! Meh. Done with Elvis. Bookending my ho-hum relationship with Elvis Presley was turning down tickets to see his last Bay Area performance, November 28, 1976 at the Cow Palace. Ridiculous white jumpsuit. Too fat, too old. He died a few months later, August 16, 1977. Blowing off that concert opportunity ranks as one of my life’s biggest regrets. Fortunately, this film filled in much of the Elvis era that I shrugged off. A lot of the (too long) 159 minutes underscored what is common pop knowledge: PFC Elvis looking absolutely fab in an army uniform, gorgeous Priscilla, love and marriage, welcome to the one and only Lisa Marie, hello Hollywood, Viva Las Vegas, professional exploitation, mommy madness, daddy disturbances, medical mayhem, sex, drugs and rock and roll….leading to the tragic yet predictable finalé, Elvis has left the building. Framing the rise and fall of Elvis (fabulous Austin Butler) through the eyes of his lifelong agent, Colonel Tom Parker (enigmatic Tom Hanks) was an innovative storytelling twist that perked me up. A domineering and abusive presence, this Mississippi to Memphis saga is narrated from Parker’s self righteous and self serving point of view, forcing me and the three other blue hair patrons in the theater to silently protest and defend poor Elvis from our heated Cinemark recliners. Then there was a subtle, cryptic corollary—that I’m still mulling over—between a charismatic experience that overcame Elvis as a boy at a Pentecostal tent revival and the swooning, screaming, sobbing female crowds overwhelming Elvis as a singer. Was there a mystical or psychological connection? Maybe, maybe not but these oddly parallel phenomena make for fascinating fodder. If you like Elvis songs, the movie is crammed full. If you are an aficionado of rock icons curious about the “King of Rock and Roll” Elvis is worth your time. Me, I’m now planning a double feature of Jailhouse Rock and Blue Hawaii. BYO-popcorn!
