Elvis
The brief
Baz Luhrmann turns Elvis's life into his trademark sensory overload - expect whiplash editing, anachronistic hip-hop beats, and enough glitter to blind a small town. Austin Butler disappears so completely into the role it's genuinely unsettling, while Tom Hanks chews scenery as the villainous Colonel Parker with a Dutch accent that sounds like he's doing community theater. At nearly three hours, it's exhausting in the way all Luhrmann films are, bouncing between intimate character moments and full-blown Vegas spectacle. Perfect for anyone who loved Moulin Rouge or wants their biopics served with maximum camp and zero subtlety.
The verdict
If you love Baz Luhrmann's maximalist style and don't mind three hours of sensory assault mixed with genuinely great performances, this is an entertaining spectacle that captures Elvis's essence through pure cinematic excess. If you prefer restrained storytelling or historically accurate biopics, the frantic editing and anachronistic soundtrack will likely exhaust you long before the credits roll.
Watch with
- 👥 Music lovers and Luhrmann fans
- ⚠️ Those seeking subtle storytelling
Heads up
- Drug use and addiction themes (moderate)
- Brief sexual content (brief)
Credits
- Director
- Baz Luhrmann
- Cast
- Austin Butler, Tom Hanks, Olivia DeJonge, Helen Thomson, Richard Roxburgh, Kelvin Harrison, Jr., David Wenham
Official synopsis
The life story of Elvis Presley as seen through the complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Walk the Line (2005)
Both explore iconic musicians through their complex personal relationships and fame.
Total runtime: 2h 39m + 2h 16m = 4h 55m
