George Lennon

I really, really, REALLY wanted to like this film. Jessica Chastain is such a gifted actress that I thought this would be a “cant miss” film. I was so wrong. There was zero direction to the horrible screenplay in that my wife and I would watch a scene and then ask “what was the point of that?” Many scenes seemed to have been thrown in simply to increase the running time. Conversely, many scenes that COULD have been relevant to the plot were seriously cut in editing or written for minimal time/lines. The first warning sign was when Jessica’s character meets Sarsgaard’s and well……really?? Is her “mistaken identity” truly believable? No. When that was shortly revealed, that’s when I knew I should just change the channel. But unfortunately, I kept going hoping something would happen to make the film worthwhile. Nothing did. And the ending? I’ll just say this: “WHAT ending?”

This could have been an informative documentary had it not been for the annoying former radio “journalist” who narrated. Much of how she described all her interactions seemed implausible, especially alleging the FBI abandoned her on a couple of occasions. That just doesn’t ring true. She also made herself out to be a victim, which considering what those poor children suffered, was outrageous and insulting on her part. The group I watched this with all seemed to agree she was enjoying her moment in the spotlight a bit too much. It was difficult enough to watch due to the subject matter, but adding in her dramatics made it cringy.

I’m 69 years old. I grew up fascinated with Elvis. I know his story, his background and when things “out there” about him are false, fabricated or made up to get his estate more soiled dollars, I’m going to speak up. This film is fantasy, non-fact based and made in Hollywood fashion to rewrite the true story. Priscilla and Lisa Marie should forever live in shame for endorsing and promoting this. But then again, Priscilla has never ever stopped capitalizing on Elvis’ legacy. For the first time ever, I walked out of a movie in disgust. I walked out on Elvis and when we did, others took note and walked out with us (not surprisingly, they were nearer to our age than the attendees who, perhaps, weren’t as well versed in Elvis’ true life.) I’ll just say this - if you know about Elvis and of his humble beginnings and who he really is, you will dislike this film. If you’re of a certain age and just know of Elvis as a singer, you’ll be okay not knowing this is a work of mostly fiction. If the fact they have a 1950s Elvis playing a 2000 era acoustic guitar doesn’t bother you, no problem. If the actor playing him can’t even muster a lip curl, no problem. If you want an accurate historical portrayal of the great Elvis Presley, then big problem.