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:

The most unforgettable people are the ones who never let reality get in the way.

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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

Bridget Fonda sings "You'd be surprised" in character as Marilyn Monroe.

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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

Referenced in The Holiday (2006)

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Soundtracks

Rip It Up
Written by Robert 'Bumps' Blackwell (as Robert Blackwell) and John Marascalco
Performed by Elvis Presley
Courtesy of the RCA Records Label

User Reviews

Harvey Keitel produces an unforgettable character true to our images of the real Elvis... and yet... this movie is not about Elvis, it is about the heart, and dreams, and hope.

Pure enchantment and intrigue... enter this movie to witness Harvey Keitel stand up for the spirit, if not the flesh, of Elvis. Johnathon Schaech (as Byron Gruman) portrays a grieving husband traveling east who picks up the hitch-hiking Keitel, who claims to be Elvis making his way back to Graceland to reveal his 20-year plot to disappear. Little known to Byron, Elvis has a hidden agenda, and at every turn produces magic from all those who surround him. His true identity and intentions drag you into the plot and you teeter on not believing, and wanting to believe. Bridget Fonda enters as a Marilyn Monroe impersonator, and she and Byron both pursue the enigma of Elvis, all the way to the real Graceland. In the end, it is the journey, not the destination that matters, and Keitel produces an unforgettable character true to our images of the real Elvis... and yet... this movie is not about Elvis, it is about the heart, and dreams, and hope. The charm of this movie will linger with you (however improbable), as in "Local Hero", "Cinema Paradiso", or "The Swimmer" (Burt Lancaster), or even "One Special Christmas", or "Field of Dreams". Don't miss this performance, it's on my list of "must see at least once".

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