“Elvis,” directed by Baz Luhrmann, might be one of the most well-done biopics of all time. The movie shows the life of megastar Elvis Presley.
Actor Austin Butler, who donned Elvis’ iconic outfits, outdid himself. He transformed himself for the film with so much commitment. The actor did not play Presley — he became Presley. Butler went through two to three years of voice training, perfecting his tones. The actor ended up with a voice so similar to Presley that audiences are convinced that he was lip-syncing.
He also studied Presley during the different eras of the music star’s life and evolved his character during the movie in a way that was true to each era.
The movie dives into an aspect of Presley’s life that has not been talked about enough — his relationship with his manager Tom Parker, played by the talented Tom Hanks. Hanks played the role so well that audiences came out of the movie hating the character, but also understanding why he did what he did.
The cinematography of the movie is stunning. Luhrmann was able to deliver the exact emotions he wanted the audience to feel. Each scene is carefully crafted to make the audience feel something, whether excitement, anticipation, sadness or loss.
The larger-than-life public personality of Elvis Presley was reduced in the movie. The way “The King” worked himself to exhaustion, his genuine love for his mother and his attachment to his daughter is well done and balanced. There are moments we see him break and moments we see him happy — in these moments we see the human side of Elvis that is often forgotten.
The team recreated some of Presley’s most iconic performances, like the “1968 Comeback Special,” in which the star rebelled against racism. Songs featured in the film include “Hound Dog” and “Jailhouse Rock.”
Presley’s wife, Priscilla, is played by Olivia DeJonge, who expertly portrays the character and her relationship with Elvis.
Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis’ only child, watched the movie and praised Butler’s performance as Elvis. The movie received a 12-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival and deserved every second of it.
The movie is available for booking in all Saudi cinemas.
