Jay Schleifer

Extraordinary film tracing the life of The King from boyhood in southern poverty to the richest solo performer in the world. Outstanding performance by Austin Butler and an unrecognizable Tom Hanks as his manager, Col.Tom Parker (not his real name for this Dutch immigrant.) Acting, visuals, costumes, were spectacular. And Baz Luhrman's direction was energetic and creative. The zillions of quick cuts drove some critics crazy but I thought they worked well and were appropriate to the frenetic pace of Presley's performances. And the switch to actual footage of a declining, drug-addled and sick Elvis in his last years was a shocker. Bottom line: Go see it. Twice.