I don't generally get excited about biopics, but when I heard that Baz Luhrmann was directing one about Elvis, I thought it was the perfect pairing. The final result did not disappoint. Luhrmann managed to recreate the bright lights and pandemonium of Elvis's career, while simultaneously bringing a "bigger than life" rock star down to Earth. Despite Luhrmann's lurid directorial style and Tom Hanks' caricature of Colonel Tom Parker, the film, equal parts entertaining and emotionally engaging, humanized a man most of us know only as a brand. I suggest we allow Baz to helm all future biopics of pop culture icons.
While my wife and I both thoroughly enjoyed the film, when the credits rolled, we were both left feeling what can only be described as sad.
As music lovers we were saddened that such talent and personal charisma were wasted. Sure, Elvis had a relatively long and accomplished career by most standards, but he passed at a youthful 42, meaning that he potentially had decades of music left to produce. We were both struck that Elvis wouldn't even be 90 if he were still alive today. It's the same old story, I know, but what a waste substance abuse makes of a life.
As human beings we were saddened by the lack of true love and friendship that he experienced. He deserves much of the blame, to be sure, as his drug use and philandering justifiably alienated many (including his wife), but, from the time has was discovered, he was surrounded by blood-sucking leeches riding the gravy train. Medical professionals were complicit with his handlers in prioritizing the show over his health (the same can be said for many of Elvis's contemporary performers, as well). Elvis, surrounded by adoring fans and shallow friends, died a sad, lonely man.
Which leads to my final thought.
Most importantly, as Christians we were saddened that, despite gaining the whole world, Elvis lost his soul. The controversy surrounding his dynamic performance style seems almost comical in 2022 (Elvis the Pelvis, really?), but it is apparent that his religious upbringing was washed away by the proverbial sex, drugs, and rock n' roll. To be fair, no one can know the contents of a man's heart or his soul's relationship to its Creator, and Elvis certainly sang Gospel songs and held onto other remnants of Southern religiosity, but his lifestyle clearly wasn't that of a follower of Christ. Elvis skyrocketed to fame and the world was in his hand, but he lost his first love. At the end of his life, what did he really have?
The story of Elvis, then, is the epitomic cautionary tale. Everyone wants to be a rock star. Everyone longs for the fortune and the fame, the glitz and the glamour, but is it worth it? Even many irreligious people have found celebrity to be empty and lonely. From a Christian perspective with an eye to eternity, we should certainly ask with our Savior, "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?"
Christians are often skeptical of Hollywood conversions, and for good reason, but I think there is a reason many celebrities come to faith after their careers have peaked and declined. They worked tirelessly towards their dream until they had it all, only to discover just how little that is. As they mature and realize what is truly important, more substantive aspects of life like faith and family begin to hold much more value. Unfortunately, some celebrities, like Elvis, never get that chance, and for that we can only mourn and heed their example.
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