Elvis Ignores An Unwritten Biopic Rule (And It Works)

Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis’ presentation of Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks) breaks a biopic rule however fixes a mistake of Rocketman and Bohemian Rhapsody.

Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis biopic fastened an issue with trendy biopics by breaking an unwritten rule that Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman caught to. Elvis, the Austin Butler-led biopic, starred Tom Hanks as Elvis Presley’s devious supervisor, Colonel Tom Parker, who many blamed (and nonetheless blame) for the King’s demise on the younger age of 42. Nevertheless, with a extra nuanced view of the connection between Parker and Elvis, Luhrmann fastened an issue frequent in biopics. Tom Hanks’ Colonel Tom Parker narrated Elvis, because the King’s supervisor defended himself from individuals who claimed he exploited Elvis for cash to repay his playing money owed. This was totally different from different biopics, which framed the whole lot by way of the musician’s perspective.

The Bohemian Rhapsody film was informed from Freddie Mercury’s (Rami Malek) perspective, by way of the most important occasions of his life, together with his relationship together with his supervisor, Paul Prenter. Rocketman adopted Taron Edgerton’s Elton John as he was abused by his supervisor, John Reid (Richard Madden). TBaz Luhrmann’s Elvis biopic informed its story from Colonel Tom Parker’s perspective, although the main target was nonetheless on Austin Butler’s Elvis himself. By doing so, the movie felt extra genuine because it took the Colonel’s perspective into consideration. When in comparison with Rocketman, which solely ever offered occasions by way of Elton John’s eyes whereas demonizing John Reid, the Elvis script ended up permitting audiences to make their very own minds up concerning the actual Colonel Tom Parker.

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Tom Hanks’ Colonel Tom Parker Has A Life like Relationship With Elvis

Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman offered Reid and Prenter as antagonists, with little nuance: they have been proven as unhealthy males making the most of a well-known individual. Nevertheless, Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis biopic confirmed a extra sensible relationship between the Colonel and Presley. Whereas it was clear Parker was positively making the most of Elvis, he was additionally there for him when his mom died, and stood in as a father determine resulting from his actual father’s absence. This created a way more sensible character who was nonetheless able to doing good issues regardless of his deplorable actions, compared to Reid and Prenter, who have been offered as cartoonishly evil.

Baz Luhrmann was in a position to keep away from falling into the lure of writing off actual individuals as utterly evil with Tom Hanks’ “Snowman”, Tom Parker, in Elvis, one thing Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman veered away from doing. By merely highlighting the info fairly than utilizing a biased account of Parker as irredeemably merciless, Luhrmann created a extra genuine biopic, fairly than a easy love letter to Elvis. Whereas Rocketman and Bohemian Rhapsody each clearly demonized two actual individuals based mostly on Queen and Elton John’s accounts solely, Luhrmann supplied a extra nuanced view of Colonel Tom Parker, making Elvis a greater movie for it.

Elvis Was Nominated For Seven Oscars

Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis biopic obtained lots of consideration throughout the Oscars’ nomination bulletins. The film picked up a complete of seven nominations this yr, however the one space the place it remained absent was the screenplay class. Elvis actor Austin Butler picked up a nomination for Finest Actor, following within the footsteps of his win on the Golden Globes. The film additionally earned an Oscar nomination for Finest Image, giving it a shot on the greatest honor on the Academy Awards. The film was based mostly on an authentic screenplay by Baz Luhrmann, Sam Bromell, Craig Pearce, and Jeremy Doner.

The nominations have been robust this yr, with 4 of the 5 nominations all additionally selecting up Finest Image nominations. Solely Triangle of Disappointment stands out because the screenplay with out an Oscar nomination, pushing Elvis out of the class. The opposite nominations have been all technical, together with Finest Movie Modifying, Sound, Manufacturing Design, Make-up and Hairstyling, and Costume Design. Whereas Elvis picked up a formidable seven nominations, it was nonetheless 4 wanting All the pieces In every single place All At As soon as, which picked up 11 nominations.

Extra: Elvis True Story – How Correct It Is & What The Film Adjustments