The King (2005)

A troubled man, recently discharged from the Navy, goes to Corpus Christi, Texas, in search of the father he's never met.

Director:

James Marsh

Writers:

Milo Addica, James Marsh

Stars:

Gael García Bernal, William Hurt, Laura Harring

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gael García Bernal	...	Elvis
Derek Alvarado	...	Scoot
E. Matthew Buckley	...	Deck Officer (as Matthew Buckley)
Monica Peña	...	Brothel Manager (as Monica Pena)
Veronica Bernal	...	Elvis's Girl
Billy Joe Martinez	...	Mexican Salesman
Mohammad Ahmed	...	Mr. Chopra
Pell James	...	Malerie
Sally Allen	...	PA
Paul Dano	...	Paul Sandow
Laura Harring	...	Twyla
William Hurt	...	David
Roger Kunshick	...	Young Man with Flower
Ike Reilly	...	Rum Jungle Singer
Milo Addica	...	Bruno

Storyline

A motiveless malignancy? Elvis leaves the Navy and heads for Texas where he contacts his father, whom he's never met, the pastor at a Christian community church. Pastor Dave tells Elvis to stay away and, without telling his family that Elvis is his son from a pre-conversion liaison, tells them to have nothing to do with him. But Elvis has already connected with Malerie, the pastor's 16-year old daughter. Elvis embarks on the seduction of Malerie, while Dave examines his conscience and comes to a new conclusion. Can anyone get right with the Lord? Does the Lord hear?

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Plot Keywords:

female nudity | incest | man orgasms inside a woman | sex outdoors | half brother half sister incest | 

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Taglines:

The devil made me do it.

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexuality involving a teen, some violence and language

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 May 2006 (UK)

Also Known As:

A király

Filming Locations:

Texas, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,927, 21 May 2006

Gross USA:

$282,183

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$757,310

Company Credits

Production Co:

ContentFilm, FilmFour, Edward R. Pressman Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In this movie, Paul Dano plays the older brother of Pell James' character. James is actually seven years older than Dano in real life.

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Goofs

The boom mic is visible When Paul confronts Elvis at Elvis' residence. The boom mic drops into frame for a moment whilst the camera is on Paul.

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Soundtracks

My Arms Belong to Jesus
Written and Produced by David Baerwald
Almo Music Corp. on behalf of Itself and Zen of Iniquity, Universal Music Publishing Group
Performed by Paul Dano, Charlie Sexton, Will Sexton and Tommy Taylor

User Reviews

A Nutshell Review: The King

No, this movie is not a sequel to The Queen, and it's peculiar to have both The King and The Queen making their screenings at our theatres at the same time. If given a choice to make, I would recommend The King instead.

This movie reminded me of Woody Allen's Matchpoint. Different stories altogether, but with the general sense and feeling of incredible luck, and evilness amongst man. You can't help but wonder that each one of us have the propensity to do evil, and just what might exactly push our button to commit sin. Lust, revenge, and pride clearly on display in James Marsh's The King.

There are various Kings here, the first which is most obvious, the main protagonist's name Elvis Valderez, played by Gael Garcia Bernal. Recently discharged from the Navy, he's on a trip to Texas to look up the father he never knew, who turned out to be a pastor, clearly already having moved on from his mother. The other notable King here, is pertaining to religion, given that Jesus Christ is acknowledged by Christians to be the King of Kings. I thought William Hurt put up a credible performance as the strict Pastor David Sandow, who now serves a little community, with possibly a happy family befitting a good Christian family.

And perchance it is the ghost from the past, his illegitimate son Elvis, who's now the devil in his midst of them, slowly bringing down the facade and hypocrisy surrounding the Sandows, and exposing them for who they truly are. It's quite a dark movie, and made possible so as the devil has an innocent, possibly angelic face (thanks to Gael), and little do you know the kind of evil that lurks around. Which probably makes it all the more dangerous as the saying goes, you know the person, but not what is in his heart - the motives, if ulterior.

Having to say more will most likely spoil the entire movie. I liked the pacing that the story took, on having it all laid out methodically. At times, you question Elvis' intent, if he's truly aware of the repercussions of what he's doing. You might want to argue that love knows no bounds, but there certainly are some clear markers and blinkers to warn you to stay away, at all costs.

The great acting makes The King extremely watchable. William Hurt, as already mentioned, plays his pained pastor with plenty of skeletons in his closet, to a T. Pell James as his daughter Malerie, brings about a fresh faced ingénue to her role, with innocence written all over. For fans of Little Miss Sunshine, Paul Dano has more lines of dialogue here, and even exercises his vocal cords in singing two songs. His role as son Paul is contrasted against Elvis the illegitimate son - one devoted to God, the other the devil himself, one living his life with a cause, the other living his without any aim, except probably to groove along waiting for acceptance.

There are many releases this week (last count was nine), but The King ranks up there amongst the much watch.