Movie Review: Elvis (2022)

Thanks to TradeBait’s recent story centered on Elvis Presley, I was actually in an Elvis mood when my wife – an Elvis fan long before we met – decided that “we” were going to see the new Elvis movie at the earliest opportunity.

Not having been to very many movies recently, I’m pretty much immune to most of the propaganda, in part because it jumps out at me AS propaganda. During “trailer time” they were laying it on THICK. I think that EVERY single message had AT LEAST some propagandistic edge – and MOST were straight-up PC messaging.

The political correctness effects of BlackRock, DIE (diversity, inclusion, equity), ESG (environment, social, governance), and “The Black List” (Marxist filter on financial backing through POC puppets) are all extremely visible in everything – product ads – trailers – public service messages.

It’s not like I’m “opposed” to some of these ideas, but the heavy-handed, communistic, “struggle session” nature of the messaging is just CRINGE CITY.

I mean, good grief. I thought that Dove Soap was going to commit hara-kiri for having utterly failed black America in some way that I still don’t grasp. PUHLEASE. You sold soap, for crying out loud. And you sold it to everybody! Black people too! Give yourselves a pat on the back and GO HOME. You’re ridiculous!

(I can’t find a video of what I saw, but this is just a hint of it.)

So anyway, I was primed for all kinds of cultural Marxism when the Elvis show began.

The opening sequence did NOT disappoint in that respect. A Tom Hanks dream sequence, filled with occult and pedophile symbolism, just had me shaking my head.

Flying spaghetti monster squids with the boy love symbol?

Snow globes heavily veering into crystal ball territory?

The movie had no place to go but up.

AND IT DID.

It’s hard for me to describe what this movie is, but I can say that it grew on me, until I felt very satisfied at the end.

It’s more like a work of ART trying to explain the SOUL of Elvis Presley, than anything else. And oddly – uniquely – this movie does so through the eyes of a rather brilliant CON-MAN manager, who used that same deep understanding of Elvis to first “own” and then manipulate him.

Elvis loved what he did. He loved music. He loved the crowd. He loved performing. He loved his parents – forcing himself into an unending vow to “take care of them”, no matter the costs.

Elvis Presley was one of those brilliantly over-performing co-dependents – no bones about it – and the movie shows it.

Judging from the responses of the Presley family members, the movie “got it right”.

Judging from my own memories of history, the movie “got it right”, too, although I think the movie played some things (like infidelity, overweight, and drug use) more metaphorically than factually, while still admitting them unflinchingly. There was a lot of “compression”

The movie did NOT show the “Rat Ranch” – but it showed the same thing differently and in several ways. Names and locations were chosen to fluff and protect the legend just a bit.

Things WERE highlighted or magnified in focus to show why Elvis always crossed racial barriers in his appeal.

Like I said – it’s ART – not a documentary.

One thing which is actually cool is Tom Hanks’ disturbing accent, which was intentionally over-done in order to make viewers realize that “something was amiss” with Presley’s manager, Col. Tom Parker. In reality, people sometimes took a while to pick up on Parker’s accent, which sounded “regional Southern” yet somehow “off”. The accent betrays a secret which was in some ways part of the downfall of both Elvis and Parker, but I won’t spoil the movie by going into the specifics. Just know that Hanks was asked not to do his subject’s actual subtle accent, but rather to “push it” so that listeners would pick up the clue. See THIS LINK.

There are other breaks with reality which – well – I’m less willing to defend, except to call them artistic license.

Just watch this trailer. You only need to see about a minute of it. Look for what is best described as the “pink scene” around 50 seconds in.

If the “pink Elvis” bothers you, trust me – the movie is far more blatant, and even pushes the “trans” stuff into the narration. You could say that there is an “appeal to gay revisionism”.

I may be mistaken about this point, but I’m pretty sure I’m not. It is my distinct impression that “Elvis the Pelvis” was a lot more about “manly macho” than about “tranny pink” and “girly make-up”. There is a distinct “LGBTQCIA” nature to the retelling that just does not comport with the reality of Elvis Presley.

Likewise, there seems to be much more “ESG” in this Elvis, than in the one I remember. Yeah, Elvis was no bigot, and he had a very subtle way of not dignifying the bigots who hated him, but there seems to be an effort here to turn Elvis into a fist-raised civil rights icon, which I somehow missed. The Elvis I remember was perhaps the most successful “can’t we all just get along” type who never even had to say it. I say we should give him credit for being the KING of that approach, because I’m pretty sure that’s gonna be fashionable again, and in a big way.

And there’s more, in the way of classic cultural Marxism. There is an extended sequence which pivots on “out-of-style traditional Christmas entertainment” as the boring cultural bad guy of the plot, threatening to undo poor Elvis, and that negativity is just SO typical of H-wood’s subtle communist psychological programming.

On the other hand, some of this stuff is actually a reasonable part of the artistic compression – such as highlighting that MLKJ was already speaking on the negative side of rock and roll culture for kids.

Complicated business.

So YEAH – there’s a good bit of lefty psy-op under the hood. Be AWARE of that to defuse it, or just don’t even bother seeing the movie, if Hollywood politicking crosses your red lines.

BUT – like I said – it’s art. It tells us as much about THIS time, as it does about THAT time.

Technically, the movie does a lot of things right. The women’s costuming and hairstyling is fantastic – watch for a few Oscar nominations. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen so many women in a film showing the actual beauty of women in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

Austin Butler as Elvis Presley is VERY GOOD. He won me over to the point where the real Elvis footage at the end served as a “high five” for a job well done.

The Presley family felt the same way – they got “carried away” by the performance, just like I did. Same with my wife – the “real” Elvis fan. She loved it.

I had some fun watching this next video after the movie, because all the actors are so much more “2022” in reality, than they were in the flick. The differences are striking. They’re all modern Hollywood dweebs in “reality”, but in the movie, they do seem far more “real”, as part of the past. Or is that just me? (*sigh*)

Compare the lady playing young Priscilla, above, to her transformation in the film, shown below.

I know that picture on the right probably makes the movie look like it’s all a bunch of grins and giggles – well, just think of that same gal throwing a mean fist of pill bottles across a Vegas penthouse, after Elvis shoots up the place, before she walks out.

There’s no whitewash – BUT there was also some extremely convincing romance and love shown – even when it all falls apart. I feel like I really gained some needed insight into the relationship of Elvis and Priscilla. I feel like something healed.

So there you have it. An interesting movie. Glad I saw it. Consider a viewing yourself – especially of you love his music. There’s a LOT of good music in this movie.

W

“Go for the art, not the history or the politics. Stay for the music.”

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GA/FL

Thank you, Wolf Moon for this beautiful masterful movie review – and for the memories.

Two vignettes….

Elvis was the King of pop music in my era! My best pre-teen friend and I used to sing his songs at the top of our lungs on her front porch swing every Summer evening. We, along with millions more teens, and disapproving adults, watched breathlessly on our black and white TVs when young Elvis appeared on the Ed Sullivan show…. his voice, movements and passion were mesmerizing to impressionable young girls.

Many years later, near the end of his life, I was married with two children, when my next door neighbor and her friends went to one of the last Elvis concerts. They all sneaked up to his room after he had left and took turns taking their pictures in Elvis’ bed! Sadly, they said the trash cans were full of pill bottles and hypodermic needles. It was obviously nearing the end of the Elvis era.

Last edited 1 year ago by GA/FL
GA/FL

I still haven’t figured out how my neighbor and her girl friends knew to stay in the same hotel and actually got into Elvis’ suite.

GA/FL

OK – here’s one of the songs my friend and I sang…..

Listen to the squeals every time he smiles or moves…..

GA/FL

Here’s a later hit……along with Elvis and Priscilla’s wedding pictures….

GA/FL

Here’s another one we sang on the porch swing….

GA/FL

Hound Dog!

GA/FL

Don’t Be Cruel!

GA/FL

Can’t leave out Jailhouse Rock!

GA/FL

Or Heart Break Hotel…..!

GA/FL

Blue Suede Shoes!

(I have a cherished pair of blue suede shoes, (Land’s End all weather mocs in denim blue) almost worn out, but I still wear them to do my yard work and they always bring Elvis to mind)

CMinTN

Wasn’t that one a Carl Perkins cover?

GA/FL

Elvis had those bedroom eyes….

They called him ‘Elvis the Pelvis’ because of his moves.

CMinTN

Thanks for this! He was a little before my time…was only 2 when he passed, but have always been a fan. My wife is asian and thus into kareoke. I always get the Elvis songs when it’s my turn. “Peace in the Valley” is one of my all time favorites.

Last edited 1 year ago by CMinTN
SteveInCO · Thermonuclear MAGA

I’m young enough to have largely missed out on Elvis, but I caught this:

Black Velvet by Alannah Myles – YouTube

kalbokalbs

Nice.

kalbokalbs

Great review.

Have not been in a movie theater in many years. Have been able to pawn taking DW to movies, off on sons. Won’t work with Elvis. DW will insist on seeing it. Sons will balk. Happy wife. Happy life. So off I’ll go.

Truth is I like Elvis’ music and his music videos. Been enjoying GA/FL Elvis videos posted up thread.

Rather sure I’ll enjoy Elvis movie.

TOTALLY enjoyed this thread… Wonderful break from the crap going on in the world.

Last edited 1 year ago by kalbokalbs
TradeBait2

^^^ This. I did not know anybody who did not respect him as a musician even if they did not like the genres. He was so unique.

TradeBait2

Good stuff, Wolf. We don’t go much anymore, but the wifey is itching to go see her man, so I guess we will go. Will be watching for the junk and probably fussing under my breathe.

I’m sure it will be worth it and I will probably see it the way you do. The King was special.

TradeBait2

The “kids” today probably didn’t even know he was blonde haired growing up. Started dying it as a teenager. He figured out what turned the girls’ crank and he as off and running. 😂

His Ed Sullivan shows were really wild and crazy wrong back in the day per the oldsters. Now with all the trans and twerking people are like, “Wut? That’s nothing.”

Aubergine

Gag.

Let me count the ways.

1) Can’t watch Hanks anymore. I can’t get to the character, because all I see is the pervert. And it sucks, because he’s been in some of my favorite movies.

2) If that “accent” he’s doing is subtle, I’d hate to hear him play it up. I had it in one sentence, looked it up, and I was right.

3) That boy does not smoulder. Elvis ooooozed sexuality. That boy looks like a girl playing a boy.

Sorry. I’m going to see Top Gun first chance I get. Adrenaline, jets, and Tom Cruise looks like a MAN.

Aubergine

Lol!

Ever since I watch Hanks squirm at the Oscars while that comedian Ricky Gervais told the truth about Hollywood, I just can’t watch him.

I actually try really hard NOT to know actors bullshit politics, because it spoils the movies they’re in. But when I know they’re perverts, all I can think is, did they molest the kid starring in the movie with them, like Forrest Gump.

I will look for the M.I. movie to come out. One of the coolest thing about a Cruise film is wondering what crazy stunt he will do this time! He is an amazing athlete, and fun to watch.

Aubergine

Whoo-hoo!

GA/FL

Part one! That means there’ll be another one….love it!

Aubergine

I have an Elvis story…

I was about twelve years old, and me and my friends were at the roller-rink for a night of skating. That was what we did for fun back then.

A couple of my friends moms came in wailing and crying. I mean, really squalling and caterwauling.

We all ran up, thinking somebody we knew had died or something. And they said “Elvis is DAY-YUD!!!! You know, in an actual Southern accent where there are NO single-syllable words.

We were all like “seriously? Are y’all related or something?”

Ah, youth.

kalbokalbs

Skating Rinks! Ah, them were fun, innocent days. Great memories.

Aubergine

They really were fun and innocent.

Tonawanda

Loved the review, and respect Wolf’s pov. Art excuses a lot of baloney. Elmer Gantry is a great book, although it is anti-Christian.

But totally agree about Hanks, and the pink “dress” makes me nauseous.

Communist propaganda has been highly successful in this country because many communists and nihilists have awesome story-telling talent, a genius for sugar coating propaganda to make is seem natural and appealing.

But to me, it is a tablespoon of dog residual mixed into a quart of ice cream.

And Hanks himself is a pink dress, and (IMO) intended to be.

Aubergine

Yes, I agree. It’s how they infiltrate and change society. It’s subtle, gradual, and devastating.

Aubergine

Of course they did. The symbol of all they despise.

Which is rebellion, of course, not racism.

scott467

If they’re implying that Elvis was gay then they’re sick Marxist maggots.

Aubergine

Lol. It’s ridiculous.

If I want to see Elivis, I watch “Viva Las Vegas” or “Blue Hawaii.”

“King Creole” or “Clambake” works, too.

They were silly, but they were really Elvis. Who I like, by the way. I grew up and grew into him over time.

gil00

I like you doing these reviews. Diesnt have to be an “approved pro” review, just honest opinion.

gil00

Theres isnt a lot out there, so thats about right. 🙂

SteveInCO · Thermonuclear MAGA

Be careful. Next thing you know it’ll be a thirty part series on the sidebar that most people didn’t read.

Tonawanda

Agree. This review is very Wolfian.

pgroup2

A long time ago, a radio DJ said that Elvis was crucial to the black breakthough into mainstream music radio. As I remember, Elvis blackmailed the big station owners by telling them they couldn’t play his records if they didn’t play Negro records also.

Maybe somebody can verify that story. I’ve believed it for at least 50 years.