Episode 100: Elvis

Welcome To The Party Pal: The Mind-Bending Film & Television Podcast You Didn't Know You Needed!

This episode of Welcome To The Party Pal journeys to Graceland to commemorate Elvis, the 2022 biographical musical drama film directed by Baz Luhrmann, who co-wrote the screenplay with Sam Bromell, Craig Pearce, and Jeremy Doner. The film follows the life of rock and roll icon, singer, and actor Elvis Presley, told from the perspective of his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. It stars Austin Butler in the title role with Tom Hanks as Parker, while Olivia DeJonge, Helen Thomson and Richard Roxburgh co-star. Elvis has grossed $285.8 million worldwide against its $85 million budget, becoming the second-highest-grossing music biopic of all-time behind Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) and the fourth-highest-grossing Australian-produced film. Butler's performance garnered widespread acclaim, while the film's costume and production designs as well as musical sequences received positive reviews. In this episode hosts Michael Shields and River Jordan celebrate the spectacles that are Baz Luhrmann's films. They discuss Tom Hanks polarizing portrayal of Colonel Tom Parker while hailing the astounding performance of Austin Butler as Elvis Presley. They talk about what Elvis says about America's longstanding problems with racism, puritism, and homophobia, how biopics can often be predictable and repetitive, Elvis's impact on America and American music, and so much more. Join in as a lifelong Elvis fan and a fledgling admirer celebrate the "King of Rock N' Roll."

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