Elvis (2005) (TV)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

James Steven Sadwith

Writer (WGA):

Patrick Sheane Duncan (written by)

Release Date:

8 May 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Music

Plot:

A chronicle of the life of Elvis Presley (Rhys Meyers), from his humble beginnings to his rise to international stardom. |

Plot Keywords:

Elvis Presley | Boyfriend Girlfriend Relationship | Rock Star | Music Concert | Overprotective Mother

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 4 wins & 11 nominations

Cast

Jonathan Rhys Meyers	...	Elvis Presley
Randy Quaid	...	'Colonel' Tom Parker
Rose McGowan	...	Ann-Margret
Tim Guinee	...	Sam Phillips
Antonia Bernath	...	Priscilla Presley
Jack Noseworthy	...	Steve Binder
Robert Patrick	...	Vernon Presley
Camryn Manheim	...	Gladys Presley
Clay Steakley	...	Bill Black
Mark Adam	...	Scotty Moore
Robert C. Treveiler	...	Larry Geller (as Rob Treveiler)
Jennifer Rae Westley	...	Dixie Locke
John Boyd West	...	Red West
Randy McDowell	...	Gene Smith
Eric William Pierson	...	D.J. Fontana

Runtime:

USA:173 min

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Finland:K-18

Filming Locations:

Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, USA

Company:

ApolloProScreen Filmproduktion

Trivia:

More than 300 Elvis fans auditioned for the role of Elvis Presley, they were all turned away and Rhys Myers hired, even though he wasn't one of the 300 lining up for audition

Goofs:

Anachronisms: When Col Parker is setting at his desk in 1962, there are several Elvis albums on the shelf behind him. One album, Flaming Star, was not released until 1968, in connection with the Singer TV Christmas Special, when Elvis appeared on TV.

Quotes:

Vernon Presley: Elvis?
Elvis Presley: What? And why are you lookin' at me like that? Do I have a zit or something?
Vernon Presley: It's the pills, E. I'm worried about your health. I just wanna help.
Elvis Presley: [shouting] I don't need no advice from the likes of you! You work for me, that's all.
Vernon Presley: I'm your daddy!
Elvis Presley: And I'm of age, old man! I don't need a daddy any more!

Movie Connections:

References King Creole (1958)

Soundtrack:

All Shook Up

Great job but somewhat depressing

Jonathan Rhys-Meyers did as good a job as I've ever seen portraying the King of Rock and Roll. Although Elvis cursed more than he ever has in any version of his life I've seen, and he was often abusive to those he was close to, he was an appealing character overall, especially at the beginning of his career. And he really cared about his fans.

Something I wasn't aware of: Elvis cared about the quality of his movies as much as he cared about good music, but he didn't have as much control over his acting as his singing.

I can't recall Elvis' relationship to his mother being shown in such detail. Camryn Manheim did an outstanding job, and I noticed in the documentary airing later in the week on CBS how much the real Gladys Presley resembled Manheim.

Randy Quaid also impressed as Colonel Parker. He was very convincing as an aging man, and he was shown as quite a schemer, but he was not overdone.

There were many other good acting performances. Tim Guinee as Sam Phillips should be mentioned, and Rose McGowan made a sultry Ann-Margret. And I have to mention the black woman at the Cadillac dealership. A brief performance, but very effective.

Like Parker, I'm more of a Lawrence Welk man, but Elvis is something special. And the musical performances were great.

The first part was the most enjoyable, when Elvis was just a young kid getting his career started, when the talent came through and was not overshadowed by fame.

Overall, it was a worthy effort.