El último Elvis (2012) Online

This is one of those movies you find yourself still thinking about, days after you watched it.

It's simply pure, brilliant, cinema.

It tells about passion, work, obsession and love melted into a unique thing.

It reminds me a lot "the wrestler" but this takes it one big step further

The director did a great job in unveiling the story line, and what a performance from the main character (considering he's not an actor himself!)

In one word: masterpiece

First impression was another cheap Mexican production but after a few minutes I thought, "This can't be right, this is no cheap afternoon soap-drama.", quickly checking online identified it as Argentinian. Argentina is one of a few countries in the world whose studios turn out consistently well scripted, directed and acted films. France, a couple of Scandinavian & Asian sources.

All that aside our Elvis impersonator, besides doing a remarkable singing Elvis, deserves kudos for his captivating acting. The directing and cinematography are of high quality and as for the script - it caught me totally by surprise. There is much more to this story than just being about another impersonator. Warning: Don't read any summaries with the ending discussed before watching the film for yourself.

The main character, Carlos, is an Elvis impersonator, greatly fond of the singer, to an extent that his daughter shares her name with Elvis's daughter. He has two lives: in one of them, he's an ordinary assembly-line worker, and in the other one, he performs at tiny events, singing his heart out - and he does it very well, as Carlos, indeed, possesses talent.

From the very beginning this movie starts to tug at your heartstrings when you see Carlos quietly "biding his time" at the factory, while wishing for the time he can go back on stage. Music in his headphones is the only solace for him; also, it's a way for him to remain in his dream life, at least partially.

However, in this dream life his wife and daughter were unable to find a place for themselves, and had to go their separate way (although Carlos still loves his family).

It's heartbreaking to see how the character is suffering because he feels so lost; the reason for that is the feeling that he's living not the life he is supposed to be living, but there is nothing he can do about it.

Throughout the movie you keep guessing to what extent Carlos is obsessed with Elvis: whether he tries to give credit to the singer's work or he no longer realises that they are two different people.

Putting aside any delusions, what makes an impression is how, with religious zeal, he sticks for what he believes in - one way or another.

'If you really believe in something, you must pursue it till the end. Those who don't are unhappy.'

I guess many people will feel for Carlos and his torments. Show me a person saying they have never howled inside, desperate to believe that their "real" life has been misplaced by some cosmic error. Show me this person - and I'll show you a liar.

*** This review may contain spoilers *** Droll and delusional, the title character of "The Last Elvis" will win over plenty of fans to Armando Bo's parable of obsession and denial. John McInerny delivers not only a deft vocal impersonation of the King, but also a dour take on an everyday hombre whose fixation is getting the better of him in this Argentine entry. Pic will skew art-house, but Elvis fascination runs deep enough to potentially draw hardcore Presley- ites. Bo, who co-wrote "Biutiful" with Nicolas Giacobone and helmer Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (an associate producer here), maintains a faux-sober attitude throughout, which makes the premise seem almost plausible. The pudgy Carlos Guttierez (McInerny) is an Elvis impersonator in Buenos Aires, a city apparently awash in celebrity lookalikes: There's a Gene Simmons here, a Barbra Streisand there. Whether at his 9-to-5 assembly- line job or sausage-packed into a besequined Elvis jumpsuit and entertaining rooms full of fans, Carlos fairly struts, so sure is he of inhabiting not just the spirit but the body of the late rock star.

The downside to his delusion, if that's what it is, is the loss of his family -- a failed marriage with Alejandra (Griselda Siciliani) and estrangement from his daughter, named of course, Lisa Marie (Margarita Lopez). But when Alejandra has a car accident, Carlos' plans (we're not sure what they are, but they're big) are put on hold while he attends to his daughter and reaquaints himself with fatherhood.

Everything about Carlos seems calculated and determined, though he's never portrayed as absurd or foolish. What gives Carlos his dignity is McInerny's real musical gift; the character may stray into Glen Campbell territory occasionally, but he sounds like Elvis and knows how to sing. In that sense, he's not quite a victim of his own delusion, merely a man whose talents are misdirected in a way that says something critical about the culture and cloned entertainment.

Just as the film seems about to end with a reconciliation, it goes west -- to Memphis, where it begins an entirely new chapter. What saves this bittersweet coda from feeling tacked-on is the aura of mystery that Bo has wrapped around his hero from the beginning. Is he for real? Is he really crazy? With the exception of the very last shot, which will generate doubt among suspicious minds, "The Last Elvis" is a solid, likable and consistently engaging fantasy.

Production values, especially the Elvis songs performed by McInerny, are tops.

Carlos, call me Elvis, Gutierrez works at a factory doing mindless assembly work. His job sucks, but not as much as the trampy whores he picks up on street corners for what passes for companionship in his life. When he is not busy working or ignoring his ex-wife and his daughter, Lisa Marie, he is working on his music. For Carlos, his main calling in life is that of an Elvis Impersonator. However, Carlos does not just think that he is impersonating The King, he thinks he is The King reborn or reincarnated or that he has a gift from god to emulate Elvis. To be honest it was sort of hard to tell what to think as the film is subtitled and it is difficult to discern Carlos's mental state. Is Carlos obsessed, delusional, bat s**t crazy or is he just a bit of a strange character and an Elvis fan?

Elvis, is forced to become the father that he has not been for his daughter, Lisa Maria, after his ex-wife is involved in a car accident. For the first time he develops a positive relationship with his young daughter. She becomes accepting of her fathers Elvis obsession and even starts to eat peanut butter and banana sandwiches. All the while when he is helping his daughter he is also hard at work perfecting his performance. It is worth mentioning that actor John McInerny does a very respectable Elvis impersonation (think late stage 1970?s Elvis). This is McInerny's first role in a film, in real life he moonlights as an Elvis Impersonator and it shows. The songs he performs in the film are actually of good quality.

Check out our full review at 3guys1movie.com

As I watched the final moments of this movie unfold, I desperately wanted the direction to swing left or right, but instead the movie plunged head first into a ending that was gut wrenchingly sad.

Despondent, I turned off the viewer and attempted to take in what I'd just witnessed. I re-watched a few scenes to try to make sense of it. As the minutes passed, I quickly realized what a brilliant piece of artwork this movie is.

Good movies, great movies don't necessarily end the way you think they should. The guy doesn't always get the girl, the home team doesn't always win, and the sun doesn't always shine. "The Last Elvis" has an ending that is maddening, but is at the same time perfect for the story that has been told.

The portrayal of a man whose obsession with Elvis is the focus of all of this decisions is fascinating. There are numerous obvious and subtle things that he does to feed his obsession. It would be easy to dislike this character for his behavior, but as the movie progresses you're drawn to him. By the time the movie ends you care deeply for him. It's akin to watching a family member emotionally implode.

Beyond this I'll only say that the music is wonderful, and the cinematography is very well done. This movie is worth the effort, it'll make you think, it'll make you feel.

Don't believe a word of it. They all just pretend the ending doesn't exist

If you read these reviews and then watch this movie, you will know what I mean. I won't disclose the ending because that seems to be the parlor game for this film. Well, ask yourself this, if nobody wants to discuss the ending of a film, do you think the ending makes the film a "masterpiece" (not a chance) or the ending makes the film a mess? Even the IMDb summary is not true:

"A tragic accident causes an Elvis impersonator to reassess his priorities."

No it doesn't. No it doesn't. That is simply not true. There is no way to read that into the ending.

ps: up until the ending, it is pretty good, not great, but pretty good

I have no doubt that John McInery was chosen for his skills as a singer rather than their acting ability. With a monotone almost chewing the words takes a film that has little to tell. Carlos (John McInery) believed to have a gift for Elvis impersonator. An accidental event delays (doesn't change) plans had probably long ago. This fact approaches him to her daughter, nor this way leave his ego aside, should be an Elvis until the end of the film. Technically very good, and very good interpretations of Elvis's classic songs, but just those scenes are not transcendental to the argument, are merely decorative. 90 minutes of film, if we subtract the musical moments will be 70-75 minutes to tell a little story slightly boring.