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How did this bold casting coup go so wrong?
How didElvisbotch such a theoretically juicy pairing of movie star and scenery-chewing role?
Not for nothing is he sometimes referred to as Americas dad.
Of course, not every character in Hankss repertoire is an incorruptible Boy Scout.
Still, its exceptionally rare to see Hanks cast as the flat-out villain of a movie.
Thats what makes his turn as Parker such an outlier.
Hes a Mephistophelian figure, seducing Elvis with promises of greater things, like the Mr.
Dark of Ray BradurysSomething Wicked This Way Comes.
Its telling that, inElvis, he signs the King at a fairground an ominously Faustian scene.
Hes played by Tom Hanks!
Luhrmann had a lot to play with here, a whole onscreen legacy to weaponize.
Hes a one-man shorthand for a certain idealized American spirit.
Alas,Elvisfails to fully capitalize on its own stunt casting.
Rather than exploit the audiences associations with Hanks, it buries them under mounds of makeup.
In a sense, its the opposite tactic of the oneIts aBeautiful Day in the Neighborhoodemploys.
The irony is that we never really forget whom were watching inElvis.
Hes transparent in latex and oddball pronunciation.
They obscure Hankss image as Hollywoods perennial good guy.
Everyone has a dark side.
