ELVIS MOVIE REVIEW: From a historian’s perspective

At 2.5 hours, Baz Luhrmann’s ELVIS movie is a wild ride, covering Presley’s life from childhood to his untimely death at age 42. As an Elvis historian and author, my interest is in examining how the film does or does not distort Elvis Presley’s true history. 

There are so many Elvis myths out there that people make comments about daily on social media, and I have been on a mission to combat those false stereotypes about Elvis with the articles and books that I have written. My hope is that the film is entertaining, and at the same time, does not enforce any false narratives. That is how I am approaching my review of the ELVIS movie. 

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ELVIS movie special screening at Graceland

On June 11, 2022, Elvis Presley’s Graceland hosted a special advance screening of Baz Luhrmann’s ELVIS movie. Along with the cast of the film, Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie Presley attended as well as Elvis and Priscilla’s grandchildren: Riley Keough (age 33) and twins Harper and Finley Lockwood (age 13).

(Left to right): Riley Keough, Priscilla Presley, Harper Lockwood, Lisa Marie Presley, Finley Lockwood

According to The Commercial Appeal, international reporters were invited to Memphis to interview the stars, take tours of Graceland and celebrate at a cocktail party with drinks like the “Pink Cadillac” (a mixture of tequila, lime juice, the orange-flavored Cointreau and hibiscus syrup).

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Priscilla Presley raves about ‘ELVIS’ actor Austin Butler as movie heads to Cannes

Austin Butler as Elvis Presley in the 2022 film, ELVIS

During a recent personal appearance in Las Vegas, Priscilla Presley said that she watched a private screening of the new movie, ELVIS, due out in June. Director Baz Luhrmann wanted to be there when she watched the film for the first time. 

Instead, she chose to screen the movie with longtime friend of hers and close friend of Elvis, Jerry Schilling. Priscilla describes herself as being stunned by Austin Butler’s portrayal of her ex-husband. 

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Meet the cast of Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming Elvis Presley biopic

1956-elvis-LoveMeTenderset
Elvis and Colonel Parker (left) on the set of Love Me Tender in 1956 

UPDATE:
For the latest news on the film since this article was written,
visit our Elvis Presley 2022 biopic movie page

Tom Hanks will play Colonel Parker and Austin Butler will play Elvis Presley in an upcoming movie about The King of Rock and Roll. The untitled film is being directed by Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge) and is scheduled for release by Warner Bros. on November 5, 2021.

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