Finding Graceland (1998)

An eccentric drifter claiming to be Elvis Presley hitches a ride with a young man and they find themselves on an adventurous road trip to Memphis.

Director:

David Winkler

Writers:

Jason Horwitch (story), David Winkler (story)

Stars:

Harvey Keitel, Johnathon Schaech, Bridget Fonda

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Harvey Keitel	...	Elvis
Johnathon Schaech	...	Byron Gruman
Bridget Fonda	...	Ashley
Gretchen Mol	...	Beatrice Gruman
John Aylward	...	Sheriff Haynes
Susan Traylor	...	Maggie
Tammy Isbell	...	Heather
Peggy Gormley	...	Fran
Trae Thomas	...	Mechanic
David Stewart	...	Purvis
Ken Schatz	...	Hotel Clerk
Gene Kirkwood	...	Gene
George Klein	...	Crapshooter
Joe Stronski	...	Pit Boss
Peter DeMaio	...	Bogie Impersonator

Storyline

The King of Rock-n-Roll lives! On his way across New Mexico, Byron Gruman picks up a hitch-hiking impersonator who says he's Elvis Presley really. Skeptical and trying to shake the memory of his wife's death, Byron just wants to drop Elvis off at his Memphis destination. Instead, he finds himself won over by this King, much like everyone they meet including a sexy Marilyn Monroe look-alike. Featuring a scene that was shot inside the Graceland Mansion thanks to Priscilla Presley's involvement as executive producer. With Harvey Keitel, Bridget Fonda, Johnathon Schaech.

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Plot Keywords:

humphrey bogart impersonator | clark gable impersonator | sammy davis jr. impersonator | elvis impersonator | reference to judy garland | 

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Taglines:

Everyone falls from grace sometimes. Sooner or later we all have to get back up again.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for a sexual situation

Did You Know?

Trivia

The script had to be approved by Priscilla Presley, who enjoyed it so much that she decided to be Executive Producer.

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Goofs

As Byron gets up to leave Ashley's trailer, you can see the tip of the beer bottle he's holding. In the next shot it's gone.

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Quotes

Elvis: Sometimes you have to give what you have the dearest to find peace

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Alternate Versions

There are two deleted scenes on the DVD:

• Elvis (Keitel) helps Byron (Schaech) fix his overheated car
• After entering his house and Graceland, Elvis looks at "his" gravesite

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Connections

Featured in Elvis Found Alive (2012)

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Soundtracks

Wayward Soul
Written by Mark Cawley and Brenda Russell
Performed by Joe Cocker
Courtesy of EMI Electrola, MCA Music Publishing and Longitude Music

User Reviews

Transformational Sleeper

Warning! Don't try to watch this movie without an IQ in excess of 100 and don't try to watch it with your brain... watch it with your heart.

It's clear why this movie didn't appeal to many audiences. It uses uncertainty and ambiguity like a craftsman. It raises more questions than answers. It suggest that a side of life exists that most people rarely suspect much less see.

Harvey Keitel is an unlikely angel hitching his way back to Graceland. The movie illustrates our unwillingness to accept the fact that our world is what we say it is and what we say it isn't.

Hidden in this predictably country and western-flavored, womanizing, motel tour across the southern countryside is an Elvis look-alike that doesn't look like Elvis, but knows things that only Elvis knows, and even wears the same shoe size as Elvis.

And the bottom line... the road less traveled that Elvis clearly steers for each person he encounters is redemption... personal transformation. But then, angels really don't make good entertainment, do they?

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 July 1999 (France)

Also Known As:

The Road to Graceland

Filming Locations:

Hollywood, Mississippi, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Avenue Pictures, Largo Entertainment, TCB Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1