First Take: Elvis - Luhrmann takes care of business in style

SYNOPSIS: From his childhood in Tupelo, Mississippi to his rise to stardom starting in Memphis, Tennessee and his conquering of Las Vegas, Nevada, Elvis Presley becomes the first rock ‘n roll star and changes the world with his music.

Baz Luhrmann and Elvis have a lot in common - they are both elaborate showmen who put a lot into their work, they have a lot of influence on their respective industries, and importantly, they have a lot of love for music. So when it was announced that Luhrmann’s first film since 2013′s The Great Gatsby would be a biopic of the man who dominated Vegas, a lot of people were confused. But as he always does, Luhrmann has made one hell of a film best experienced in a cinema.

Luhrmann directs this in his trademark style - whilst reining it in slightly to allow the more dramatic moments to play out, the hallmarks are there: visual storytelling, musical mashups (where else can you hear Viva Las Vegas blended in with Britney Spears’ Toxic), and a lot of the tricks he deployed on the infamous Red Curtain Trilogy (that’s Strictly Ballroom, Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge for those who aren’t in the know) are there throughout a pretty well paced 2 hours 40 minutes. This style won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but the script Luhrmann has created with Sam Bromell, Craig Pearce and Jeremy Doner more than does this story justice, especially telling it mostly through the eyes of manager Col. Tom Parker, and in detail which wasn’t expected for a modern 12a- this film does not hold back when it comes to life during the 1960s. On cinematography duties is Mandy Walker, who does a fantastic job, and handling the score is Elliott Walker (who also nails it as the executive music producer), creating a technical masterpiece that somehow managed to get over the line with the challenges of Covid - and we’ll get to that disruption shortly.

The reason I mention Covid as we discuss the cast is simple: back in March 2020 when it all kicked off, Tom Hanks was delivering his standout performance for this movie when he and his wife became the first major celebrities to test positive. Did it stop him after the production shutdown? No it didn’t - because he and Austin Butler (who not only portrays Elvis so well, but also sings the early tracks just for this film) are the glue which hold this piece together, as you don’t know whether to side with Elvis and his family, or the Colonel and his, well, unique ways of progressing the career of the future King of Vegas. The supporting cast also play a big part, with Olivia DeJonge, Helen Thomson and Richard Roxburgh providing the on-screen family who undoubtedly act as Elvis’ motivation. This is a movie which gets a lot right, and changes a lot for obvious reasons, but is it enjoyable? Of course it is.

THE VERDICT

The Presley estate have been quite vocal of their approval of this film, and considering how protective they are of his work, that says it all really - Elvis is one of those rare biopics that isn’t afraid to do things a little bit differently. Only Baz Luhrmann could make a film like this, and make it work as well as he does.

RATING: 4.5/5