Elvis & Nixon REVIEW
Well, who knew? What a duo, if anything this film is good for a release just to dance in the madness of knowing this face to face actually took place.
There’s no question that the acting from these impressive male leads is what makes the film. Aside from the twinkling presence they both radiate, I feel this film goes down a bonkers route about a seriously odd meeting in a way that’s less than dominating than it should be.
Elvis Presley (Michael Shannon) sees himself as a potential figure of hope and anti-drugs for the youth. He wants to have a meeting with the President to gain a badge and become an agent at large. P.O.T.U.S Richard Nixon (Kevin Spacey) is at first against the idea, but soon realises this meeting could prove popular and so, on December 21st 1970, these two famous men meet.
I had no idea this meeting ever took place, something I’m sure Elvis Presley would be glad about. He wanted it to be a secret, he wanted badges and control, this ideal of power and clearly aiming for the President was that logical step. I’m glad I’ve seen this movie just for the lone fact in seeing something so absurd yet knowing it happened makes it even more unusual.
Liza Johnson does a great job in building up the apprehension of the real life based plot. We see Presley and Nixon at varying times, we see the men that aid them and so we sort of sit on the edge of our seats waiting for the inevitable meeting to take place. This comedy/drama is all sparkle yet no bang. There is no grand or even rewarding pay off by the end of this film, there’s also a sudden stall of exposition as the King talks to himself in a mirror. The Oval Office scene between these powerhouses of America is like a dud sparkler on Bonfire Night.
It could be called a bio-pic but as no recordings took place in the office of Nixon until after, who’s to say how much of this movie is taking cinematic liberties. I realise that Nixon’s hand Egil Krogh made notes on the event but apart from the photograph and his scribbles, there’s times that this movie makes things feel larger than life and I couldn’t swallow them as facts. The film kind of feels off in a few places, whether it’s the lack of substance or the somewhat slow pacing, which is a shame considering the acting talent involved.
Michael Shannon dons a quiffy wig and golden shades in a convincing manner to portray the King of Rock and Roll. He has the hand gestures and deep voice down to an art and makes Elvis come alive in a charismatic way, even if there’s a couple of occasions where he’s like a Vegas impersonator and looks cheap. Kevin Spacey is perfect as Nixon I think; he owns the jowly gravelled tone of his voice and the hunched cross armed poses, he does a stellar job as the President. Colin Hanks and Evan Peters are both likable in their roles and Alex Pettyfer plays PA/friend Jerry Schilling with a needed human touch amongst the caricature nature everywhere else.
Not as fascinating as I hoped, Elvis certainly enters the building with swagger but I exited the screen wanting more and feeling underwhelmed.
6/10 or…
I love all things Tarantino and have a soft spot for sombre and clever films. Writing is what I love doing, be it screenplays or reviews, I hope someday my procrastination will dwindle and I'll finish something!
