Elvis and Nixon - Review
Director: Liza Johnson
Cast: Michael Shannon, kevin Spacey, Alex Pettyfer, Colin Hanks, Johnny Knoxville, Evan Peters.
Based on the meeting between the iconic Elvis Presley and the shamed Richard Nixon on December 21 1970, Elvis and Nixon embellishes the infamous fable and presents an engaging and entertaining film, largely thanks to the starry duo.
However, it takes an extended period of time before the duo appear together on screen, and at times, the build up can feel like a drawn out process. We spend a lot of time with Elvis (Michael Shannon) and his trusted confidant Jerry Schilling (Alex Pettyfer), who is given his own B storyline; he's conflicted between his duty to his dependent pal and the desire to return home and propose to his girlfriend and finally meet her parents. This deviation from the central storyline is most unwelcome and will test the patience of even the most subdued audience member. Do I care about the personal life of Elvis' frankly dull friend? Most definitely not. Ultimately for a film called Elvis and Nixon, there is an underwhelming amount of time allocated to the titular characters actually occupying the same space.
Whilst it's a shame that it takes so long for the pair to come face to face, when they finally do, it's a joy and certainly worth the wait. Shannon's lucid and charismatic Elvis and Spacey's gruff Nixon develop a great spark and rapport, and the most celebrated entertainer, arguably ever, and the disgraced president form an unlikely alliance. I think a buddy road-trip comedy centering around these characters is the natural next step.
A story so seemingly absurd needs agreeable dashings of humour which the film delivers in spades. Colin Hanks (yes, son of Tom) coerces deserved chuckles as one of Nixon's exasperated officials, as Elvis ignores every guideline given to him in preparation for his meeting with the POTUS. Witnessing women lose the ability to fathom any coherent verbal response in the presence of Elvis Presley also provide some genuinely funny moments.
Although looking absolutely nothing like the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Michael Shannon embodies the magnetising spirit and plays Elvis as someone fatigued with others disillusioned perception of him, whilst smartly avoiding the tropes of a typical Elvis impersonator. It may take a while to adjust to the performance due to the barely - there physical resemblance, but once you do, you'll appreciate the nuances an actor the calibre of Michael Shannon brings to proceedings. Meanwhile, Kevin Spacey effortlessly slips into the role of Richard Nixon (not surprising considering his experience of portraying corrupt presidents) - the film is a perfect example of the power of correct casting.
In conclusion, while the film may be a mixed bad with pacing problems and an occasionally unfocused narrative, the peppered moments of humour and stellar performances are incentives enough to forgive the detours the film takes to reach its final destination.
EB
Cast: Michael Shannon, kevin Spacey, Alex Pettyfer, Colin Hanks, Johnny Knoxville, Evan Peters.
Based on the meeting between the iconic Elvis Presley and the shamed Richard Nixon on December 21 1970, Elvis and Nixon embellishes the infamous fable and presents an engaging and entertaining film, largely thanks to the starry duo.However, it takes an extended period of time before the duo appear together on screen, and at times, the build up can feel like a drawn out process. We spend a lot of time with Elvis (Michael Shannon) and his trusted confidant Jerry Schilling (Alex Pettyfer), who is given his own B storyline; he's conflicted between his duty to his dependent pal and the desire to return home and propose to his girlfriend and finally meet her parents. This deviation from the central storyline is most unwelcome and will test the patience of even the most subdued audience member. Do I care about the personal life of Elvis' frankly dull friend? Most definitely not. Ultimately for a film called Elvis and Nixon, there is an underwhelming amount of time allocated to the titular characters actually occupying the same space.
Whilst it's a shame that it takes so long for the pair to come face to face, when they finally do, it's a joy and certainly worth the wait. Shannon's lucid and charismatic Elvis and Spacey's gruff Nixon develop a great spark and rapport, and the most celebrated entertainer, arguably ever, and the disgraced president form an unlikely alliance. I think a buddy road-trip comedy centering around these characters is the natural next step.
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| Elvis is unimpressed with Nixon's disciplinary tactics. |
Although looking absolutely nothing like the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Michael Shannon embodies the magnetising spirit and plays Elvis as someone fatigued with others disillusioned perception of him, whilst smartly avoiding the tropes of a typical Elvis impersonator. It may take a while to adjust to the performance due to the barely - there physical resemblance, but once you do, you'll appreciate the nuances an actor the calibre of Michael Shannon brings to proceedings. Meanwhile, Kevin Spacey effortlessly slips into the role of Richard Nixon (not surprising considering his experience of portraying corrupt presidents) - the film is a perfect example of the power of correct casting.
In conclusion, while the film may be a mixed bad with pacing problems and an occasionally unfocused narrative, the peppered moments of humour and stellar performances are incentives enough to forgive the detours the film takes to reach its final destination.
EB
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