Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis” is the latest addition to the legendary musician biopic genre, following the likes of “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Rocketman.” The Australian director is a very known name, of course, particularly for making very stylish, large-scale movies with music being an essential component. His notable works consist of the likes of Romeo+Juliet (1996), Moulin Rouge! (2001) and The Great Gatsby (2013).
Returning to directing after nine long years, Luhrmann has decided to choose a genre where he can literally sleepwalk, given his experience. With that said, he has delivered yet again if the 77% Critic and 94% Audience scores on the Rotten Tomatoes website are considered. After premiering at the prestigious Cannes Festival in May 2022 and a wide release in both Australia and America in June 2023, Elvis quickly became a critical and commercial success. It generally received positive reviews from the critics, and the audience gobbled up Luhrmann’s opulence on screen.
The biopic follows the life of the legendary rock and roll singer Elvis Presley, and it is told from the perspective of his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Along with directing, Luhrmann shares writing credits with Sam Bromell, Craig Pearce, and Jeremy Doner. With eight nominations, including one in the best picture category, Elvis has become the second-most nominated musical biopic after Milos Forman’s “Amadeus” (1984).
ELVIS CAST:
Former Nickelodeon star Austin Butler heads the cast. The thirty-one-year-old American actor has worked hard to bring the legendary Elvis alive on the screen, and it shows in his performance. Naturally, he has received a humongous amount of praise from critics. He has already won many prestigious awards, including the much coveted Golden Globe Award for best actor in the drama category. At the upcoming Academy Awards, Butler is an apparent nominee in the best actor category, and with the Golden Globes in his pocket; he has every chance of snapping this one away as well.
In a strange turn of events, while Butler is being hailed for his performance, his co-star Tom Hanks is receiving a substantial amount of flack for his turn as Elvis’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker. The otherwise likable actor is being criticized for his portrayal of Parker. He has even received an acting nomination at the Razzie Awards, which acknowledges the worst movies and performances yearly.
Along with Butler and Hanks, Elvis also stars Olivia DeJonge, Helen Thomson, Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Stranger Things breakout star Dacre Montgomery.
WHERE TO WATCH AND STREAM ELVIS ONLINE?
If you are a fan of Luhrmann’s works, then Elvis is a must-watch for you. If you are wondering how to do that, then worry not. All you need is a subscription to HBO Max to stream the movie from the comfort of your home.
If you have an already existing Amazon Prime subscription, you can add the HBO Max subscription to watch the movie. The other options are Apple TV, iTunes, and Hulu if you want to buy and stream it individually.
