Rating: 5/5
Film reviews are easy to write when the movie is bad or subpar, but what if it’s the best film you’ve ever seen?
Oh boy, here goes nothing…
Earlier this month, I was fortunate enough to attend the Sydney premiere of ‘Elvis’, the highly anticipated, new film by acclaimed Aussie director Baz Luhrmann.
Incredibly shot almost entirely in Queensland, ‘Elvis’ tells the true story about the up and down relationship Presley (Austin Butler) had with his manager Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks).
From his childhood in Tupelo to his rise to stardom starting in Memphis and his conquering of Las Vegas, this movie traces every important step of Presley’s iconic, and at times, tragic life.
To be honest, it’s hard for me to put into words just how special this movie is. I have seen hundreds of films in my lifetime but this stands out above them all.
As an Elvis buff, the research and detail gone in is extraordinary.
Austin Butler’s authentic performance as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll will garner him an Oscar nomination. Tom Hanks’ portrayal of Colonel Parker is spot on. And the man that put it all together, Baz Luhrmann, is a genius in every sense of the word and, after this, should be declared one of the best filmmakers of all-time.
But you’re probably thinking, ‘who gives a crap at what this 30-something sport-loving fool thinks about cinema?’ – and who can blame you. So, if you don’t take my word for it, here’s a snippet of what Priscilla Presley had to say about the biopic earlier this week.
“Baz Luhrmann has made a film about Elvis that I feel will leave a mark as one of the most artistic, creative, stylised and sensitive films to date, on an important part of Elvis’ life,” she said.
Presley’s only child, his beautiful daughter Lisa Marie, also gave it her tick of approval in her own glowing review.
“In my life, it’s been one disappointment after the other in terms of people portraying my father in various films or attempts to… but I tell you this… with all my heart, it’s been done right.”
Knowing the entire Presley family were on board would have brought Baz more joy and relief than any Academy Award ever could.
Ultimately, if you have the family’s support and backing, any other review – including this one – is probably meaningless.
See this movie at Event Cinemas Parramatta.
Nathan Taylor
Nathan Taylor is the Weekender's Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Weekender for a decade.