Heartbreak Hotel

This movie is much better than people seem to think. It's not just fun family entertainment, it really shows Elvis trying to come to terms with what went right and wrong with his life. It goes from a spooky, spiritual opening, where Elvis acknowledges his own mortality in song ("So hush little baby, don't you cry/You know your daddy's bound to die")to a rousing "If I Can Dream" finale. The idea is that Elvis gets everything right here that he got so tragically wrong in real time. He is the perfect father, husband, and artist, and he stands up for what we believe in, instead of just wasting himself. Touching and inspiring film.

What keeps the movie from going soft is the fact that the young rock and roller played by Charlie Schlatter (whatever happened to him?) is initially quite contemptuous of Elvis and his Las Vegas style lounge act. The kid chews Elvis out in a very memorable scene that really represents the feelings of millions of young 70's teens about the way Elvis went soft. The fact that Elvis listens and learns is extremely inspiring, but again, the film stays honest. At the end he tells the family, "I've found something here, and I'm afraid if I leave it will slip away again."

Sadly, it did.

This is pure fantasy. As an Elvis fan it made me think what if Elvis had been confronted with his past towards the end of his life? The end of the film I found to be sad as we all know what happened to him and wished it were otherwise. The music is very good, as are the performances. This is in my top 30.

HEARTBREAK HOTEL takes the viewer on a light hearted "what if" fantasy ride to the world of the Elvis of 1972. The makers of this movie were certainly Elvis fans. There is a good amount of detailed inside information about Elvis and the plot respects his musical talents, although there is some poking fun at his personal habits.

HEARTBREAK HOTEL accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do. I hope more rock 'n roll fantasy movies will be made in the future.

This is one of my favorite "sweet" movies of all time. Enough conflict and tension to make you wonder what's going to happen and that fun "what if . . ." factor that ties the whole thing together, especially with Elvis being such an important pop culture icon. Keith has done Elvis before I believe, and turns in a great job again, realistically I think enjoying his respite from the demands of public life, and then heading back. Everyone seems to be having fun in this "fairy tale," and I wonder if Elvis ever really got a chance to kick back like this. I'm a "baby" Elvis fan and especially love the oddball stuff connected with him, and this movie fits the bill perfectly. It's just a nice little flick to cuddle up to, preferably with someone and enjoy.

If you're an Elvis purist, stay away. This film takes great liberties with the life of the King and David Keith really doesn't look like him, either. Never mind, because Heartbreak Hotel is such a sweet (and manipulative!) picture that you'll be reaching for your hanky by the end. It's the Elvis film that truly raises him to an iconic level, and I can well imagine the Church of Elvis incorporating this into their video Bible a hundred years from now. The films of Elvis himself will be the Old Testament, and Heartbreak Hotel will be one of the Gospels.

For now, grab a box of kleenex, settle into your easy chair and enjoy the re-creation of the restaurant scene from Loving You that is one of the highlights of this most enjoyable bit of fluff.