Elvis (2022)

 Pros: This opulent bio-pic had tons of material to work with and it paints Elvia (Austin Butler) as both a hero and genius but also a deeply flawed drug-addict who never seems to have enough love surrounding him, never fully recovering from his mother's (Helen Thomson's) premature death largely due to alcoholism. This film is also impressive in that it appeared that hundreds of extras were used despite the COVID restrictions so despite the lush sets, costumes and everything, concessions must have been made though the viewer would never suspect. And the acting is great and this should be, deservedly so, Butler's break-through role and he is truly excellent.

Cons: The film is over-stuffed and despite it being titled Elvis, the narrator is actually Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks), the controversial manager of Elvis, so the film tries to have two leads which doesn't really work. It should show how Parker specifically mismanaged Elvis's money and estate. That is the main issue with the film, though there are also a ton of characters and often they aren't introduced correctly. 

Recommend: Yes

Grade: B+

Side Notes:

-The supporting cast is filled largely with unknowns mixed in with established actors: Olivia DeJonje (as Priscilla, great), Kelvin Harrison, Jr (as BB King apparently), Richard Roxburgh (the duke from Moulin Rouge) as Elvis's Daddy, Xavier Samuel, Dacre Montgomery, David Wenham and Kodi Smit-McPhee (in the cameo of the year so far).

-Though Elvis did plenty throughout his career, if he had a different manager, he could have done so much more. 

-Elvis longed to be a talented movie star like Jimmy Dean.

-He originally met Priscilla in Germany when she was just 14, yeah, that's more than just a little gross.

-Parker had an unnatural control of Elvis.

-It must have been nice in the1950s when the nation was only divided on Elvis, rather than issues which actually matter, as it is nowadays.

-Elvis shakes his hips to soothe his nerves but it makes him a global sensation as it is probably the closest many of his fans have gotten to sex thus far in their lifetime.