Elvis & Nixon.
The idea itself was enough to intrigue me. Two of America’s most iconic figures meeting for a discussion, all based on a true event, sounds ripe for a film adaptation—and when I heard who was playing these characters, well, I jumped at the quickest possible viewing. Michael Shannon sounds like an odd choice for playing Elvis, but portrays exactly what the film’s aiming for. Shannon isn’t playing hunky, rock n’ roll superstar Elvis here (Elvis doesn’t sing once throughout the film), he’s playing awkward, out of touch recluse Elvis—known by everyone, but no longer in the main spotlight. This is the Elvis who believed he could help America by becoming an undercover narcotics agent and was able to obtain a meeting with the President to try and fulfill such aspiration.
The film wants to emphasize Elvis’ growing eccentricity from fame and isolation, which Shannon’s unique acting style fulfills ideally—highlighting the King’s growing loneliness and detachment from the world around him (who, majority-wise, see him as the icon rather than the person). Almost every interaction between Elvis and other characters goes a similar route: people react in awe, Elvis says something peculiar and/or requests something outlandish, people try their best to follow yet continue holding him on a pedestal. There are only two characters who treat Elvis differently: his best friend Jerry (Alex Pettyfer)—who has a touching subplot involving his long-term bond with Elvis—and Nixon, played by the wonderfully talented Kevin Spacey.
With the film’s relatively short runtime of 86 minutes, 70% of the film is spent on the prearrangements and preparations—on both sides—towards the historic meeting. A great scene involves Elvis being explained the protocol on how to properly address the President, while Nixon’s administration is being explained by Elvis’ friends on how the President should prepare for Elvis;
Elvis’ Group: If Elvis removes his glasses, it means somebody’s getting a bear hug.
Nixon’s Group: …I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.
The actual meeting takes place about an hour into the film…and it is hilarious! I don't want to spoil much here, but let me just say that while the film’s decent first hour may seem lengthy, its last 26 minutes are worth the buildup. Elvis & Nixon’s highlight is Kevin Spacey’s performance, who delivers a remarkably true-to-life and very entertaining portrayal as Nixon. While Spacey sadly doesn’t get much screen time throughout the film (he hardly appears during the first hour), every moment he’s on screen is engaging and delightfully witty. Spacey’s facial reactions as Nixon are priceless—expressing every angry, happy, uneasy and/or perplexed thought going through his head about the King and his “ideas”. The pair’s meeting truly lives up to the real-life Nixon’s description of it being “awkward”. In one scene, Elvis blatantly calls the President good looking, leaving Nixon (who, in film, considers himself unattractive) a mix between flattered and uncomfortable; “Oh, are you, uh…you’re saying as a gentleman I’m good looking too?” Nixon simply can’t put his finger on Elvis’ inexplicably casual approach to the President (who rivals, if not surpasses Nixon in terms of icon status), and ends up being simultaneously baffled yet fascinated by the King’s candid, unorthodox thoughts and actions.
Elvis & Nixon is an enjoyable treat with a decent buildup and a great payoff. The acting and comedy are solid, and the scattered drama throughout is both sweet and effective. Both Shannon and Spacey effectively deliver as their characters, in addition to delivering on the film’s selling point. Give it a go if you’re interested in seeing two of America’s most iconic figures having a hilariously awkward encounter.
