NeedFiction

Going to have to go against the tide on this one and not recommend it under a couple of assumptions. First, if you want a true biopic along the lines of Lincoln, or even Steve Jobs (the film), then this is not for you. If you want a true representation in a kind of docu-drama style, this isn't really for you either. If you are interested in Elvis as a backdrop for the subject matter, and don't mind something more about presenting art than representing facts, this might be something you like better than me. With that said, I would like to touch on the performances just a bit. The actors can only do things with the material they are given, so I'm not just being a critic without considering that aspect. Let's do it the other way around from what most reviews are doing. Austin Butler. I think he must have been chosen based on his similar facial features, and I know even in bad reviews here, reviewers will write the he "did a good job." I have to disagree about him in this part. Again, a lot of this goes to the choices of the director, but if you search for videos there are some side-by-side comparisons with the real Elvis. Butler honestly seems like an Elvis impersonator at times. Butler is okay, but not stellar. Part of the problem is the choice of makeup for the actors by the director. Looking at the real Elvis, it really sticks out badly that Butler is wearing lipstick and deep blue eye shadow during scenes like when he sings 'Suspicious Minds.' Elvis was a manly man. He wasn't going out and chopping wood everyday, but still he was just a good looking singer, who was very much a womanizing and talented man. If he ever had stage makeup on during performances, it must have been neutral for the cameras, because he never looked like he was wearing deep blue eyeshadow and lipstick (during his movies is not the point here, all actors wear makeup, but not deep eyeshadow, though). Again, it is an artistic choice, however the problem is it can take you out of the story it is so over the top at times. This really is a disservice to Austin Butler, because this somewhat feminizes his entire performance, almost like with one small step he could be Elvis in Drag. Once you see it, you can't unsee it. Don't get me wrong, this isn't about trans issues, or any of that. It is just that this seems to be billed as an authentic representation, and it really isn't. For Tom Hanks, again, I know these are likely choices of the director, but the fat makeup suit, dialogue, and shot choices just don't work. It is way over the top, and at times I found myself laughing. For example, in one scene Parker (Tom Hanks) is talking to some friends at a outdoor park and he brings up he is searching for new talent. He is told "Everyone is listening to this guy," as that person plays an Elvis record. Hanks mumbles that they won't take black men on tour, and the guy says, "he's white." There is a quick super zoom into Hanks' fake fat face (which is very apparent it isn't real), and suddenly he is echoing, "he's white...white....white...." and they fast show you person after person listening to Elvis on car radios- not in other locations, but literally right there around Parker at this outdoor carnival. Every single driver is now listening to the same song, the entire crowd of people at this park, are all hypnotized staring at their radio. Artistic choice to emphasize discrimination is great, but I can name several black performers from this era including Ray Charles, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, Nat King Cole, and many others. So of course there was discrimination, and blacks endured separate dressing rooms, bathrooms, and other terrible treatment. But to choose this as a vehicle to emphasize it and that moment was just a lost opportunity. Elvis loved music, and he loved other musicians- any musicians. He was also deeply committed to equal treatment of all people, and wrote songs about the declining culture and rising poverty of the black community. Focusing on Elvis' push for more civil rights would have been a better use of this message. Otherwise, Hanks does an okay job, but not Oscar worthy. There are some good set pieces, and the costumes for Elvis especially are stunning in that they match real life very closely. If you don't mind a more artistic license with one of the most famous singers of the 20th Century as the backdrop, then you might like this better than me. If you want something that comes closer to a docu-drama, look up Kurt Russell as Elvis in a 1979 television movie. It has the lower budget quality of "tv movies" from that time, however, Russell kills it as Elvis. When you see his portrayal versus Butler in dark eyeshadow, you might change your mind about how good this version is in representing "based on a true story" to the audience. I wanted to rate it higher- just couldn't! Hope you enjoy it even if I didn't.

Christian Bale and Harry Melling are good in their roles, and so are the character actors who support them. The cinematography in general is very good, and sometimes stunning, although a bit one note in its either snow or darkness for such a long film. The main thing is this film can't decide if it wants to be a murder mystery or a tragic tear jerker period piece. The ratings, I think, would go up 20% overall if this didn't have the Lord of the Rings curse, where the director really, really, wants to put an extra ending. Literally the core mystery is supposedly solved, and then I realized there was 35 minutes left to go. Would have been better to either just let it end at the first "reveal," or move the other endings up and cut out 20 minutes of cultish ceremony and at times very wordy and silly dialogue that goes nowhere. (Two different characters at different times tell Poe that they just "knew he was the one" for their plot point). Then, some background motivation (without adding spoilers) turns into the main plot at the very end, and it just doesn't work. Overall, only because of the last 30 minutes, the whole film feels out of balance. Just stop the film with 35 minutes left and you'll come back here and give it a 10/10, plus, you will have really enjoyed it!

I went into this film with no expectations at all, as I didn't even see the original either. I don't understand the positive reviews to be honest, and looking through them I have my doubts that all of them are legit. Sorry to those that enjoyed this one, but 20 minutes into the film, and I'm struggling to hang on. It just wasn't entertaining. The script is average at best, and Daniel Craig just seems to be miscast, as I really thought his performance was flat. One other thing I noticed, and then confirmed only after I saw the film- is the attempt at social commentary. Rian Johnson and I would probably agree on 90% of political issues, however, I think he is thinking of the commentary first, and story second. It seems that his thinking while writing goes something like, "This would make a good parody of so and so hated politician, and boy, that would be funny in this story." It is too much of a sledge hammer so it isn't subtle at all, and that just makes it unenjoyable when the rest of the film is already struggling. Overall, I just couldn't recommend this as I thought it doesn't meet the hype by a long shot.