Elvis (2022) - Review

It’s a wonder that this actually works so well. There are so many things that are “objectively” wrong here. The weird modern day needle drops, the pacing that feels like the film is an extra hour long, it’s lip service towards cultural appropriation, Tom Hanks’ weird performance and his stupid nose. But god damn, it somehow worked. It’s an enigma. It’s a tale of a man whose obsession with performance and making others proud leads to his downfall when exploited by those with nefarious goals. It’s one of the only movies I can think of that truly succeeds in telling someone’s whole life story in a matter of hours. Austin Butler crushes it with his portrayal of Elvis; there wasn’t a single moment that felt false or a caricature of the real person. The direction is extravagant, the editing is dangerously flashy, and the script is messy to say the least. But this “witches potion” of a film, when all the ingredients are put together, is one that keeps you glued to the screen and invested in the journey of Elvis Presley.