5.3 Elvis

This captivating abundance of music, glamour and fame all formulate into this reverent biographical musical drama, detailing none other than the life of rock and roll icon, singer and actor Elvis Presley. Directed by Baz Luhrmann and co-written alongside Sam Bromell, this energetic, dazzling and dynamic bio-pic is all but infused with the style, for which has now become synonymous with Luhrmann himself. While stepping into the undoubtedly irreplaceable shoes of Presley himself, is none other than Austin Butler who alongside Olivia DeJonge as Priscilla and Tom Hanks as the infamous Colonel Tom Parker complement this truly astonishing lead portrayal. With Butler complementing and inhabiting Elvis to perfection, with his dynamically enthralling physique and quintessential vocal range capturing the true essence of this tragic paradox of success that fragmented away at the idealistic, American Dream.

With Elvis infused with Luhrmann's highly individualised and galvanising directorial style, for which gives Luhrmann both time and opportunity to make this picture his own. As Elvis has an alluring undeniability and nuanced quality for which bleeds new life into the biopic genre, as Elvis seemingly doesn't fall into the same tragic paradox and fiasco that has so often plagued the genre. As instead Luhrmann and Butler's work alike, recalibrate the standard rock biopic formula into a utopian, episodic spectacle, sprawling with not only Luhrmann's flamboyant energy and style but rather also with Butlers beguiling and captivating ability to command the screen. With Elvis' awareness and attentive understanding ensuring that it not only acknowledges but rather also doesn't fall into the same, calamitous trap that so many other standard biopic's seemingly follow. As this is a confident and buoyant epic that becomes not only one of the best biopic's the genre this year has to offer, but rather also the one with the most compelling and spellbinding of styles. As Luhrmann's recognisable and distinguishable style invades the screen as innovative and bold camera strokes, complement this striking and visually enthralling colour palette. Formulating into a cinematic language that breathes new, revitalised energy and vivacity into the genre itself, whilst warranting and establishing Elvis is placed upon a separate plane to those biopics of the past. With Luhrmann not only channeling the heart and magic of Elvis' story to perfection but rather also simultaneously transforming, revising and revitalising the very foundations of the genre.

Although at times this captivating and breakneck style might be a little to much to handle, often audiences can find some comfort and similarities between such pace and Elvis' rise to fame itself. With Luhrmann's vast array and collection of zip shots and close ups still not impeding upon Luhrmann's fast style of directing and editing. With this specific, characteristic style best befitting in Elvis' most hectic and frenetic of moments or either when he's later incapsulated and amongst the surreal confines and sprawling depths of the hyper-reality that is Las Vegas. As Luhrmann rigoursely also explores not only Elvis' story but rather also the emotional depths and torment he later would go onto suffer. While even if at times the pictures faltering becomes more than evident, it's truly both Luhrmann and Butler respectively that keep this picture alive or from falling down a similar route as otherwise foreseen within the genre. Even if it becomes harder to no longer ignore or later at least feel that at times Hank's portrayal specifically was a little too pushed or misguided.

While such pain and heartache seemingly only elevated onto the screen by none other than Butler himself. As Butler perfectly inhabits and channels the "King of Rock and Roll", with such critical acclaim even more justified when considering the depths and rigorous demands the role and portrayal itself requires. With Butler not only tasked with elevating and garnering such emotional torment and struggle but also executing such a portrayal that demanded he master the legendary singers physical physique, movement and as well as his perpetually renowned singers voice. A testament and quality still recognisable today as it seems to be the case that even Butler himself, away from the role, has struggled to shake off that indistinguishable southern accent. Although asides from Butler mastering Elvis's voice, movement and physique, its within the singers lowest moments when Butler's portrayal I felt best takes flight. As even prior to the film's world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, Elvis' daughter Lisa Marie Presley noted on how rather Butler's performance was able to embody both her "fathers heart and soul beautifully". With Butler depicting such emotional struggle and torment as he grapples with the paradox and fear that his once American Dream is crumbling and sliding out upon beneath him.

As throughout the picture it becomes rather unimaginable and impossible to ignore the level of attentive detail, love and care that saturates and fills every frame. As Luhrmann and Butler respectively reignite Presley's legacy even further and into an age where current and even future audiences and generations are able to once again become submerged and indulge. With Luhrmann brandishing and ensuring that his characteristic style not only fills and encapsulates each frame but rather also befits and belongs within it, as Elvis' story is handled with an attentive compassion and loving empathy. That chronicles everything spanning from how he embodied the so called 'American Dream' and later how we would eventually resort and find himself languishing amongst the emotional depths of struggle and despair. With Butler rather flawlessly inhabiting Elvis to perfection, fulfilling and making for one of the best films and performances of the year. 3.5/5 Stars.