‘Elvis’ biopic ‘rattles and rolls’ Cannes Film Festival with standing ovation

Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis biopic seemed to hit all the right notes during its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday, May 25 with the audience erupting into a standing ovation.

As the end credits rolled the audience rose from their seats in a round of thunderous applause that continued for 10 minutes, which according to Deadline is “a 2022 record so far at the festival”.

With a microphone in hand, a clearly emotional Luhrmann took to the stage to thank the audience and admit that he felt Elvis was “never going to happen” due to Covid-19 restrictions that halted production.

“But for the bravery of [Tom Hanks] to come back, and the bravery of this cast and this crew to go on through COVID and to finish this film, and we are back in Cannes, and to see these streets so full of people who love movies, of every form of life and every background and every kind of movie, there’s so much more about what this place means and what it means to be back in the cinema,” he told the crowd.

“And for that, we are eternally grateful, Cannes. All I can say is: Merci beaucoup, merci beaucoup, merci beaucoup.”

 

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It’s no wonder the film received an overwhelming response given Priscilla Presley’s recent praise of Austin Butler’s portrayal of her late husband and rock and roll legend.

Posting to Twitter on Saturday, April 30, Priscilla praised Butler for his incredible portrayal of Elvis, describing his performance as “outstanding”.

“Austin Butler, who played Elvis is outstanding. Halfway through the film Jerry and I looked at each other and said WOW!!! Bravo to him… he knew he had big shoes to fill,” Priscilla wrote.

“He was extremely nervous playing this part. I can only imagine.”

She went on to pay tribute to actor Tom Hanks for his performance as Colonel Parker in the upcoming film.

“Tom Hanks was Col Parker in this film. What a character he was,” she wrote.

Priscilla was also sure to commend Baz Luhrmann’s “artistic” talent and his “unique” ability to deliver a true film of such high standard.

“For those curious about the new film ELVIS, Baz Luhrmann, the director, provided a screening for me and Jerry Schilling at Warner studios recently,” she wrote.

“This is a story about Elvis and Colonel Parker’s relationship. It is a true story told brilliantly and creatively that only Baz, in his unique artistic way, could have delivered.”

Elvis explores the life and music of Elvis Presley, through his relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Spanning over 20 years the film covers Elvis’ rise to fame and the important people in his life, such as his wife Priscilla Presley.

The highly anticipated biopic is set to hit Australian theatres on June, 23, 2022.