Loving Elvis

I just saw this three-part documentary series on Prime today at its premier and am astounded by the story of Elvis Presley. We come to learn through people he loved and who loved him the raw human drama of his childlike personality and the loneliness he could not escape except in death. His love for his mother was his love for all women and vice versa. The devotion of his loved ones lives on, as we can clearly see by the unfolding of their stories in this film. This is a dive into the genuine Elvis Presley and not just the story of his career as historical facts. I was truly humbled by this documentary and the bigger than life reality of all the love, beyond normal boundries, his circle had for him.

First ever, in depth unveiling of the haunting tapestry of tragedy that was the life of Elvis Presley. The truth is paramount in this spellbinding, yet troubling production. Yes, the Emperor had on clothes--even spangles; but alas, his feet were of disintegrating clay. No documentary to date has ever come this close to unraveling the complexities and mysteries of the tangled web of the Presley Phenomenon. The first hand stories told by women who were involved in his life --including long time girl friend Linda Thompson who lived in Graceland several years and Ginger Alden, who discovered his body--are illuminating. The detail and thoroughness of the testimonies of these women along with a number of young teens who had encounters with Elvis of the questionable kind are genuine, authentic and alarming. It is a gutsy stunner. Some of the now grown women seemed to offer excuses for Elvis behavior--almost an endorsement of his actions with the attitude of "If it makes Elvis happy; anything goes"! Most of the girls said, "yes" to Elvis, but a few said, "no" -- one savvy teen walked out of his hotel room with Elvis running after her.

It's quite unusual to see anything fresh on Elvis Presley but when you see a well respected authority figure such as Alannah Nash involved, you know it's going to be worth watching. If you are a long-time fan, be prepared for some pretty unsavoury truths. What I particularly enjoyed about this was the fact that you get to hear everything from the female perspective and, hearing what these ladies have to say, the myth that was so carefully cultivated by 'Colonel Tom Parker' to protect his cash cow is well and truly shattered. In fact, once you take all the evidence into account, you cannot fail to reach an inescapable conclusion about Elvis's demise. Well worth watching.