June
21
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ELVIS (12A)
ELVIS (12A)
Director: Baz Luhrmann
Runtime: 2h39m
Cast: Austin Butler, Tom Hanks, Olivia DeJonge, Helen Thomson, Richard Roxburgh, Luke Bracey, Natasha Bassett, David Wenham, Kelvin Harrison Jr, Xavier Samuel, Kodi Smit-McPhee,
Synopsis: ELVIS is an epic, big-screen spectacle from Warner Bros. Pictures and visionary, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Baz Luhrmann that explores the life and music of Elvis Presley, starring Austin Butler and Oscar winner Tom Hanks.
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGVq1aCkBd0
ELVIS is an epic, big-screen spectacle from Warner Bros. Pictures and visionary, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Baz Luhrmann [The Great Gatsby (2013), Moulin Rouge! (2001)] directed from a screenplay by Baz Luhrmann and Sam Bromell and Craig Pearce and Jeremy Doner, story by Baz Luhrmann and Jeremy Doner, that explores the life and music of Elvis Presley, starring Austin Butler [Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood (2019)] and Oscar winner Tom Hanks [Philadelphia (1993), Forrest Gump (1994)]
A thoroughly cinematic drama, Elvis’s (Butler) story is seen through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Hanks). As told by Parker, the film delves into the complex dynamic between the two spanning over twenty years, from Presley’s rise to fame to his unprecedented stardom, against the backdrop of the evolving cultural landscape and loss of innocence in America. Central to that journey is one of the significant and influential people in Elvis’s life, Priscilla Presley [Olivia DeJonge –The Staircase TV mini-series (2022), The Visit (2015)].
Starring alongside Butler and Hanks in the impressive ensemble are: Helen Thomson [ Top of the Lake TV series (2017)] playing Elvis’s mother, Gladys; Richard Roxburgh [Hacksaw Ridge (2016) as Elvis’s father, Vernon; Luke Bracey [Point Break (2015)] plays Jerry Schilling; Natasha Bassett [Hail, Caesar! (2016)] plays Dixie Locke; David Wenham [The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)] plays Hank Snow; Kelvin Harrison Jr. [The Trial of the Chicago 7(2020) plays B.B. King; Xavier Samuel [ Love & Friendship (2016)] plays Scotty Moore and Kodi Smit-McPhee [The Power of the Dog (2021)] plays Jimmie Rodgers Snow.
Additional iconic musical artists who appear in the film are: singer/songwriter Yola as Sister Rosetta Tharpe; model Alton Mason as Little Richard; Austin, Texas native Gary Clark Jr. as Arthur Crudup and artist Shonka Dukureh as Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton.
Beautiful cinematography from director of photography Mandy Walker, stunning production and visual effects and costume design from Catherine Martin, all bring dazzling energy and style to Elvis perfectly complemented by Austin Butler’s stellar mesmerising lead performance as one of music’s greatest artists.
The film is an ambitious interpretation of the standard biopic genre and a loving tribute to a legend, while the unreliable narration of the obnoxious Colonel Tom Parker demonstrates an exploitative relationship and provides Tom Hanks with a rare opportunity to play an unsympathetic part.
In cinemas
Images courtesy of: Warner Bros
