Director: Baz Luhrmann
Starring: Tom Hanks, Austin Butler and Kevin Harrison Jr.
‘A Breathtaking Biopic’
Not many actors in Hollywood are as beloved as Tom Hanks. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1980’s, Hanks has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s political leaders, troubled soldiers or corrupt managers, Hanks has portrayed a wide variety of characters. Arguably, Hanks’ finest strength as an actor has always been his likability. He is one of those actors which has always had a talent for creating colourful characters which are likeable. Through ability to portray characters which prove compelling, Hanks has established a legacy that’s lasting. Known as America’s Sweetheart, Hanks has created commemorated movies that audiences consider to be art. Despite reaching age of retirement, Hanks has never lost his unbreakable commitment for making engaging entertainment. Throughout his commemorated career, Hanks has appeared in many memorable movies tackling relevant themes which are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a big fan of Hanks and adore all movies he has created in his career. However, “Elvis” is definitely my favourite. Released in 2022, Baz Luhrmann’s movie offered a powerful tribute to a legendary musician. Packed with captivating production design, engrossing storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best music biopics made. At the centre of it all is a strong performance by Tom Hanks, who embodies a cruel manager of a musician. Ultimately, what makes “Elvis” a musical masterpiece is broad appeal. Unlike most music biopics, it discusses strong themes that everyone would absolutely relate to. A breathtaking musical biopic, there are several strong reasons why “Elvis” is a commemorated film that’s worth seeing.
“Elvis” tells a story of a famous musician that composed melodies that are precious. Austin Butler portrays Elvis Presley, an aspiring artist with dreams of achieving success in the music industry. Presley has always had a flair singing songs about which people care. Elvis’ dreams of success come true when he’s given chances to become a famous singer with assistance of his manager Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks). The Colonel is an authoritative manager with a strong perspective on what it takes to become a famous singer. Elvis initially develops a bond with the Colonel looking towards his manager as an inspiring mentor. However, what begins as a peaceful friendship soon turns dangerous when the Colonel controls the singer. As odds are stacked against his favour, Elvis is forced to wonder whether it is possible to become a successful singer.
Baz Luhrmann is fascinated with the lives of bold artists. A fantastic filmmaker, Luhrmann has often made engaging movies about lives of artists enduring disaster. His iconic movie “Moulin Rouge!” captured struggles of poets on journeys to discover identities. With “Elvis”, however, Luhrmann made his first ever music biopic. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to honour the legacy of a legendary musician in American history but he succeeded immensely. Using captivating cinematography, Luhrmann captures a musician embarking on a journey to discover his identity. Evoking James Mangold’s “Walk the Line”, Luhrmann uses montages to capture a singer creating melodies that shine. For instance, montages enhance the concert scene. During this unforgettable scene, Elvis performs his first ever concert for a significant audience. Using montages, Luhrmann honours a singer which is inspiring. Montages are tricky techniques to utilize in most movies. As Robert Zemeckis’ “Forrest Gump” claimed, montages enhance coming-of-age movies. Nevertheless, it works. Through stunning visuals, Luhrmann celebrates a commemorated musician which is inspiring.
Another admirable aspect of “Elvis” deserving appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, it’s the most impressive musical biopic you will ever see. Luhrmann effectively uses costumes to capture the lives of singers facing tensions. Throughout the movie, Elvis’ costumes showcase his transformation into a renowned musician achieving prosperity. For instance, costumes elevate the final musical concert scene. During this memorable scene, Elvis performs his heartbreaking final concert during a time of failing health. Using stunning costumes, Luhrmann captures hardships that a musician is facing. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Elliott Wheeler’s music is key toward success of the film. It gives the film tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden musicians bear. Using captivating production, Luhrmann honours the legacy of a legendary musician.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “Elvis” is a musical biopic that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses non-linear storytelling to capture tension that musicians are facing. Emulating Dexter Fletcher’s “Rocketman”, Luhrmann effectively uses non-linear storytelling to convey tension that singers are facing. The film successfully switches back and forth between two distinct timelines: past flashbacks of Elvis’ childhood as a kid growing up and present-day scenes of his declining health as a singer. For instance, non-linear storytelling enhances the opening scene. During this memorable scene, Colonel Tom Parker recounts his traumatic memories of being a manager. Through compelling non-linear storytelling, Luhrmann creates a portrait of a musician that audiences can easily relate to. Non-linear storytelling is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Steven Spielberg’s “Catch Me if You Can” claimed, non-linear storytelling enhances movies about con-artists. However, it works immensely in this film. Through a bold screenplay, Luhrmann honours a commemorated musician that is beloved today.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Tom Hanks delivers one of his greatest career performances as Colonel Tom Parker. Hanks achieved appreciation for portraying likeable romantic heroes. With “Elvis”, however, Hanks took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a legendary manager that assisted a renowned musician achieve prosperity but he succeeded immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, strong and charismatic in his most villainous role. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare opportunity to showcase villainous side to himself audiences hadn’t seen before. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, grief and manipulative nature of a manager. It’s a strong performance by one of the most commemorated actors in Hollywood today.
Austin Butler is brilliant as a renowned singer that struggles to achieve success under the thumb of a manipulative manager. In his first ever leading role, Butler showcased his talent for portraying musicians with heart and soul. Whether he’s performing a famous song in his first concert or arguing with his manager over his future, Butler uses his bold body language to capture the larger than life personality of a famous singer. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to exhibit a talent for singing melodies that he hasn’t shown before in his career. It’s a spellbinding performance from one of the most beloved young actors that’s currently working in Hollywood today.
Finally, “Elvis” would earn the appreciation of everyone for honouring a musician audiences cherish. Unlike most musical biopics, the film tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. It discusses commemorated themes such as identity, mental health and grief that would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the legendary musician to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about fame which will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Elvis” is one of those rare movies which everyone would definitely without doubt adore.
Fans of Tom Hanks would definitely appreciate “Elvis” and so will movie-goers seeking music entertainment. A breathtaking musical biopic, it honours an actor that’s iconic.
Nearly 50 years after Elvis Presley become an iconic singer wearing blue suede shoes that changed the world forever, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor with a charismatic nature that manufactured unforgettable movies throughout his career which audiences will always commonly treasure.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 