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

One of the best biographies ever. Ellvis lives on!

I have seen every movie made about Elvis with the exception of a regional drive-in movie that was fictitious called "The Legend" I believe, and not since Kurt Russell's phenomenal impersonation in the 1970s TV Movie have I seen such an amazing job of acting as done by this young kid from Ireland. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers was so stunningly accurate even though the combed back hair made his forehead look a little too prominent. Still, I did not work against his extremely effective portrayal of the King of Rock and Roll. Okay, I know I'm being picky here, but having been a portrait artist for 48 years, it's hard not to notice such physical details.

What made this film all the more watchable were the acting of Camryn Manheim as Mama Presley and Randy Quaid as The Colonel. In both cases, the actors added so many shades to their characters and, despite the stories we Elvis die-hard fans know inside out, the script was put together in a way that made it all unfold as though we were there. And after not quite lookalike actors like Don Johnson with a voice that sounded more like one of David Seville's Chipmunks than Elvis, and Dale Midkiff who lacked the charisma with his slight resemblance to the man in the miniseries "Elvis And Me") this time, we had a guy we could believe was the real thing. And then there was the guy from the TV show who also played Elvis Michael St. Gerard who had such an uncanny resemblance to Elvis though with nothing close to the voice (except for the time he briefly played Elvis in "Great Balls Of Fire" and for one scene tells Dennis Quaid's Jerry Lee Lewis "Take it! Take it awwlll!") he was okay in the acting department but only okay. This guy Jonathon Rhys-Meyers has some serious acting chops. I loved his work in this one and will keep an eye out for him in the future. (And isn't it ironic how both Quaids have gotten to be connected somehow to the Elvis legend?)

So to all the Elvis haters and those who tore this film down, you don't have a clue. This was a great movie and for TV was a bloody masterpiece.

I can't wait until this sucker is on DVD or video and I can buy a copy for my personal collection. Thank you CBS for this great present.