“In my humble opinion, [Butler’s] The performance is unprecedented and FINALLY done with precision and respect, ”Lisa Marie Presley wrote on Twitter, following the film’s premiere at Cannes.
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The task of playing Elvis, let alone playing Elvis for his immediate family, is monumental when you think about it. Elvis was a unique and almost otherworldly figure who redefined the boundaries of fandom and popular entertainment in the 20th century. He was the king of rock and roll. This comes with a phenomenal amount of pressure and expectation.
But it’s not just that. The king also inspired a whole industry of imitators and tribute artists (many performing while he was still alive) trying to capture some of his resemblance and talent. And, partly because of this and partly because pop culture mythology is neither static nor fixed in time, its image has been distorted every year since its death.
How do you go about delivering a new performance from a man who has probably played more than anyone on the planet? And how do you do it in a way that is sincere and affectionate for a generation that has grown greatly by associating it with fried peanut butter sandwiches and Las Vegas cheese matinées?
Butler found a way. And, when you combine it with the Oscars ’love for both biopics and the method of acting (the actor continues to strangely do Elvis’ voice in press interviews), his work will probably earn him a nomination.
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I’ve talked to many Elvis tribute artists in the past, both for work and pleasure, and they always say that playing Elvis well comes down to two things: respect and joy. It’s about honoring his legacy (“no big jokes,” I was once told) and keeping the magic of his performances alive.
For all his brilliance and frenzy, Elvis does just that. And through Butler’s performance (especially on stage during Elvis ’early electrifying and vibrant years), this magic is strong enough to captivate people who haven’t cared about Elvis before.
Of course, some critics have called the film boring or tedious. But with a 94 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, Austin Butler’s Elvis is clearly giving viewers a very real understanding of what their grandmothers were calling.