Elvis

    

    Baz Lurhmann  tells the Elvis Presley story adding his own bombastic glamour and glitz to a story most of us already ready know.  In an original twist the story is told from the point of view of "Colonel" Tom Parker, played by Tom Hanks under heavy makeup.

    Austin Butler stars as Elvis and he is remarkable. The perfect actor to play the part, he does his own singing (for the most part) and has the right looks and moves to accurately portray the music legend. The Colonel and Elvis were joined at the hip (shaking and otherwise) once Parker became his exclusive manager. Mr. Hanks and Mr. Butler bring that same chemistry to their on-screen relationship. To say Mr. Hanks's performance is accurate is hard to say, as "Colonel" Parker was an enigmatic character, hard to pin down. A schemer, a con man, sharp businessman and a marketing genius all rolled into one.

   The first half of the film moves at frenetic speed cutting back and forth through various parts of Elvis's life. The music is, of course, terrific and Mr. Lurhmann does a faithful, colorful and over the top job, recreating the rise of rock & roll in the 50's and the turbulent 60's. The script touches on almost all of Elvis's career highs and lows.  The story slows down a bit in the second half as it concentrates on the Las Vegas years and the eventual end we have all come to know. But in between, it's a blast.