The life and times of Elvis Aaron Presley (Austin Butler) as seen through the lens of his manager Tom Parker (Tom Hanks). 

Elvis is a sprawling biopic covering thirty plus years of the King of Rock n Roll’s life. As a result there are significant portions that are covered via montages such as his entire Hollywood career and some that are only lightly touched on such as his courtship and marriage of Prescilla (Olivia DeJonge). Facets it spends much more time on are Elvis relationship with his audience and Parker’s financial mismanagement of Presley and his efforts to prevent him touring globally. 

The fact the film is presented from the viewpoint of Parker is certainly an interesting take given that the story is about one of the greatest showman ever to grace music. Hanks seems to revel in playing the pantomime villain. His character is constantly peering in on the action from behind doors or stage curtains. Listening into conversations and planning his actions to get what he wants. But there is some humanity there, if only a tiny sliver. Insight into why he managed Elvis as he did is actually quite fascinating. The performance from Hanks may leave some cold though as it is very over the top. Equal parts Hanks in 2004’s The Ladykillers, Colonel Sanders and Dr. Evil it takes some getting used to but is effective none the less. 

Austin Butler on the other hand is a revelation in what will surely be a breakthrough role for his career. To say that he completely embodies the spirit and physicality of Elvis almost seems like an understatement. In the final moments of the film it switches to archive footage and it took me a few seconds to realise it had happened. 

Perhaps the biggest impact on the manner in which the story is told though is the fact that this is a Baz Luhrmann film. It is fitting that one of the biggest showman in film has taken the reigns of a film portraying Elvis. Luhrmann is perhaps most famous for Moulin Rouge and Romeo And Juliet and his films always have a hyper stylised overblown feel to them. Here though it just seems completely right for the tone of the film. 

Elvis the film may have its faults but there is no denying that it is a wholly entertaining enterprise. Now I think I may be listening to the great man’s greatest hits for the next week or so.