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Finding Graceland

1998, Movie, PG-13, 97 mins

Finding Graceland: Review

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Hollywood never tires of exploiting mythic figures in order to manufacture an uplifting, feel-good experience. Where once it was Santa Claus in MIRACLE ON 34th STREET, now it's Elvis Presley. Here, the chronically depressed learn to alleviate suffering through an intermediary; thus a road picture about redemption via a dead (or is he?) celebrity. Riddled with guilt over the car accident that claimed his wife's life, embittered Byron Gruman (Jonathon Schaech) drives his crash-battered Cadillac convertible cross-country. Byron offers a lift to a stranger who claims to be Elvis (Harvey Keitel) en route to Graceland, and everyone Byron encounters believes this hitchhiker is the King who's returned from a long sabbatical. Even though the skeptical Byron repeatedly tries to ditch him, the ersatz Elvis pays to have Byron's car -- the symbol of its owner's moribund psyche -- overhauled. Outside of Las Vegas, Byron falls for Ashley (Bridget Fonda), a Marilyn Monroe impersonator; "Elvis" performs at Ashley's lounge show and wows the crowd. Although Byron finds a newspaper clipping that reveals his companion's true identity, he nevertheless drives him all the way to Graceland. Elvis disappears, but not before helping Byron start his life anew. However unforgivably manipulative it may be, this maudlin picture -- executive produced by Presley's widow, Priscilla -- does manage to whip up a foam of saccharine steam. But does popular culture really need to turn Elvis into a highway social worker, dispensing mini-miracles on Route 66? The film attempts to dig box-office gold out of formulaic mines already populated by the likes of ZORBA THE GREEK and AUNTIE MAME; once again, a larger-than-life figure resuscitates the Puny of Spirit. Sadly, Keitel lacks the requisite bravado stature. Although convincing as a buttinski impostor, he embarrasses himself with an on-stage Elvis impression which suggests a reasonable facsimile of William Shatner doing a rock 'n' roll infomercial. leave a comment --Robert Pardi
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