July 3, 2022 – Austin Butler channels the white hot sexual energy of a young Elvis Presley as perfectly as Tom Hanks captures the sleazy corruption of Colonel Tom Parker in this very busy musical biopic.

Director Baz Luhrmann's camera wanders around as much as the plot in this energized, fizzy tale of a naive teenage pop star caught in the spell of a crafty old con man. Above it all soars Butler's performance as the spellbinding entertainer who magically fused the musical genres of rockabilly and rhythm and blues.

With flashbacks, historical footage, and voiceovers by Hanks, who often narrates the story of Elvis from the point of view of Parker, we see the rise and fall of a transcendent musical superstar. Elvis is ridiculed by young men at a young age for appearing to be too feminine-looking. However, the women who see him on stage don't agree with this assessment at all. To them, Elvis is the “forbidden fruit” of raw sexuality.

Parker, who spots Elvis very early on, is quick to see the young man's potential. He arranges to become Elvis' lone representative and agent, but he soon finds out he is riding the whirlwind. Elvis is a threat to the establishment, both sexually and racially because of his love for “race music” which is banned from many radio stations. His friendship with black entertainers like B.B. King is seen a threat to the white establishment.

Parker tries to tone down Elvis' sexuality on stage, his gyrating hips have earned him the nickname “Elvis the pelvis,” but he resists this kind of control from his manager. Defiant, his performance in a concert results in a near riot and he is arrested. He ends up in the U.S. Army, arranged by Parker to repair Elvis' image and to escape prosecution.

While serving in Germany, Elvis meets Priscilla Beaulieu (played by Olivia DeJonge of “The Sisterhood of Night”) the woman who would become his wife. After serving in the Army, Elvis resumes his career, starring in a number of Hollywood movies which capitalize on Elvis' singing and popularity. When the quickie films decline in popularity, Elvis wants to tour in Europe, but Parker is against it because he fears authorities will discover he is an illegal alien.

Parker's name is really Andreas Cornelis (Dries) van Kuijk, a native of the Netherlands, he has been in the U.S. illegally since the age of 20. Instead of touring the world, Parker talks Elvis into a long term contract to play shows in Las Vegas. The deal has a side benefit for Parker. Casino owners offer to cancel Parker's large gambling debts if he can keep Elvis in Vegas.

Despite the alcohol and the pills and his growing distaste working in Las Vegas, Elvis is still magic on stage. His first performance in Vegas is a knockout, as is his final performance (this time the real Elvis is shown performing “Unchained Melody” live).

There are quite a number of historical inaccuracies in this film, so it really isn't intended for historical purists, but it is very entertaining nonetheless because of the excellent musical performances. According to Luhrmann, his movie is meant to use the story of Elvis to highlight American culture in the three decades starting in the 1950s, and it certainly does that.

Austin Butler (of “Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood”) is so effective in his musical performances it was just like watching Elvis himself. Indeed, images and video of the real Elvis are sprinkled throughout the film, including that entire, electrifying performance of “Unchained Melody.” This movie is a fitting tribute to Elvis the entertainer, as well as a damning indictment of racism and corruption in America. This film rates a B.

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