Elvis & Nixon
Bleecker Street Media | Release Date: April 22, 2016
6.4
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 47 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
28
Mixed:
14
Negative:
5
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
8
LamontRaymondApr 23, 2016
If you're even slightly a fan of E, you'll enjoy this movie. Michael Shannon obviously doesn't look like Elvis, but he does an outstanding job of acting to his essence, and the humor comes through in spades. I was surprised that it wasIf you're even slightly a fan of E, you'll enjoy this movie. Michael Shannon obviously doesn't look like Elvis, but he does an outstanding job of acting to his essence, and the humor comes through in spades. I was surprised that it was actually Alex Pettyfer, as Elvis's friend/assistant Jerry, who really stole the movie. Such a sympathetic and non-caricature portrayal. That guy needs to be in more movies - leads. And not of YA-novel adaptations.… Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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8
TVJerryApr 25, 2016
This comic tale is based on an actual event in 1970, when Elvis Presley (Michael Shannon) showed up at the White House to request a meeting with President Nixon (Kevin Spacey). Shannon portrays The King as a sincere, misunderstood andThis comic tale is based on an actual event in 1970, when Elvis Presley (Michael Shannon) showed up at the White House to request a meeting with President Nixon (Kevin Spacey). Shannon portrays The King as a sincere, misunderstood and misguided character, while it's Spacey who gets to satirize the President with hilarious results. The run-up to the encounter unfolds effectively, but isn't especially funny. Actually, other than Spacey, there aren't a lot of laffs. It's more about quiet humor than big comedy. Still, this fictionalized version of what happened is fun to watch… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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5
AkumaJackNov 2, 2017
A biopic about the meeting between Elvis and Nixon. Quite a shallow film. A bit boring maybe. The story isn't that intresting, but the cast is good. (Spacey is Nixon, Shannon is Elvis. With also in the cast Colin Hanks and Evan Peters fromA biopic about the meeting between Elvis and Nixon. Quite a shallow film. A bit boring maybe. The story isn't that intresting, but the cast is good. (Spacey is Nixon, Shannon is Elvis. With also in the cast Colin Hanks and Evan Peters from American Horror Story). Not worth watching, but not bad.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
AxeTApr 23, 2016
This little movie is nothing earth shattering, but what could have been just an overdrawn skit is handled well with both performances top notch. As expected Spacey is dead on perfect, and Shannon is rightfully charming as The King giving himThis little movie is nothing earth shattering, but what could have been just an overdrawn skit is handled well with both performances top notch. As expected Spacey is dead on perfect, and Shannon is rightfully charming as The King giving him a surprisingly endearing soulful spirit. The snickering is a steady stream with a few big laughs in a treatment that luckily does justice to this bizarre little story and the two figures in history with all the subtle quirkiness at just the right pitch. A rarity these days.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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7
SpangleNov 6, 2016
Elvis & Nixon may not be the most challenging piece of cinema ever released, but it is a very one. With two terrific lead actors in Michael Shannon and Kevin Spacey, Elvis & Nixon is based on a single image of Elvis Presley and Richard NixonElvis & Nixon may not be the most challenging piece of cinema ever released, but it is a very one. With two terrific lead actors in Michael Shannon and Kevin Spacey, Elvis & Nixon is based on a single image of Elvis Presley and Richard Nixon in the White House. The rest rises out of an imagined reason for the meeting. In doing so, the film manages to delve into both Elvis and Nixon as people, serving as an interesting look at both of them, even if the story itself is not really true. However, what it lacks in truth, it makes up for with comedy. A smart and witty film, Elvis & Nixon is incredibly well-written as a comedy with lots of little references to real events and outright jokes. The end result of all of this is truly enjoyable hour and a half.

As Elvis, Michael Shannon is loud, boisterous, and magnanimous. However, he does not shy away from the internal struggles facing Elvis and the status of being a celebrity. Though far from unique in this, the film does a good job to evoke feelings of sympathy for "The King". Remaining deified to this very day, he is rarely looked at as a person and the film does a good job to make us feel for him on a personal level. He is not just some kooky rock star who wants to be a federal agent, he is a real person and nobody ever gives him that time of day. Shannon's performance is truly magnetic and really carries the film on his shoulders.

As Nixon, Kevin Spacey is equally terrific. Though a lot of it is reminiscent of Frank Underwood in House of Cards, his Nixon feels quite accurate and stoic. Watching his transformation from when he is first told about Elvis wanting to meet him to when he actually meets him is quite comical. Yet, Spacey makes it feel authentic and really captures that "not cool but want to be cool" essence that many people have, especially when in the presence of somebody cool. Spacey's turn here also provides many laughs, especially at the end when he is twirling the gun. There is a certain simplicity to the style of comedy in the film and Nixon captures most of the best lines in this one, with Spacey making the most of it with good delivery and timing.

However, in saying this, while the film is quite funny and a good look at both of its real life protagonists, Elvis & Nixon is an incredibly slight film. Coming in at just an hour and a half, Elvis & Nixon is largely just focused on this meeting and setting it up, while pretending to develop of a background relationship/issue for Jerry Schilling (Alex Pettyfer), who is an associate and friend of Elvis. It can certainly drag as you just want them to get to the meeting. The romance background, which is barely looked at, is clearly there to just add some further dimension to the film, but even with that here, Elvis & Nixon rarely makes the case for being a feature-length film. While I did really enjoy my time with it, it probably would have been even better as a short film (40-50 minutes in length maybe), allowing it to be more focused on the photograph and meeting, rather than adding fluff to make it longer.

As a whole, Elvis & Nixon is a very funny film that may be a little too long for its story, but thanks to Shannon's Presley and Spacey's Nixon, the film is incredibly easy to watch.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
TheMetacritiqerAug 27, 2016
One of the funniest movies I've seen in while. Both of the real life figures translate great on the big screen. While it's doubtful Elvis shot one of tvs, it makes for a great movie.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
Q8MarrongGlaceJul 12, 2016
Yet another Hollywood commercial movie from , I know its based on true event even I like movies based on true event or story but the whole movie is based on a meeting I mean come on ! Hollywood is out of writers that they are doing moreYet another Hollywood commercial movie from , I know its based on true event even I like movies based on true event or story but the whole movie is based on a meeting I mean come on ! Hollywood is out of writers that they are doing more remakes more biography more documentary movies even a meeting became a movie I really feel sorry for the movie industry every years comes we had more of waste of time movies
I believe these high rating people got paid for playing around with ratings making a bad movie a top hit !
please respect the general taste and try harder to do some of the good films like the 80s and 90s… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
hydrallusOct 16, 2016
Some of my favorite actors (and very much sought after ones of our time) in a silly little romp about one of the strangest moments in American history.

How can you go wrong watching this? you can't. It's just a good way to kill an afternoon.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
RalfbergsOct 1, 2016
I don't know, this movie was a bit too boring for me. Maybe if you are a big Elvis fan you will enjoy it, but otherwise, besides the fact that this really happen and in that sense it was interesting to see it play out here too, it actuallyI don't know, this movie was a bit too boring for me. Maybe if you are a big Elvis fan you will enjoy it, but otherwise, besides the fact that this really happen and in that sense it was interesting to see it play out here too, it actually wasn't that interesting overall. Especially the first part. Only thing I enjoyed is when he actually met Nixon, that's why I gave 4, might have been lower.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
badgerryan19May 19, 2017
First of all I wanna say this is one of the most underrated/unwatched films of 2016. Kevin Spacey being cast as Richard Nixon was a perfect fit. Michael Shannon as Elvis was a odd choice but Michael is a great actor and he pulled it off. TheFirst of all I wanna say this is one of the most underrated/unwatched films of 2016. Kevin Spacey being cast as Richard Nixon was a perfect fit. Michael Shannon as Elvis was a odd choice but Michael is a great actor and he pulled it off. The movie was surprisingly very funny. The movie definitely benefits from having very strong performers and being very funny… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
ComandanteCobraJan 18, 2017
This Film is humorous without being dumb, I liked it. Good screenplay, great attention to datails (costumes,props, haircuts... just google some real picture of the meeting) , funny characterization of Elvis. It made me search more info aboutThis Film is humorous without being dumb, I liked it. Good screenplay, great attention to datails (costumes,props, haircuts... just google some real picture of the meeting) , funny characterization of Elvis. It made me search more info about this strange meeting.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
ScarlettMiNov 23, 2016
This movie is saved by the strength of Michael Shannon's performance. Kevin Spacey is good as well, but if it weren't for the deep sense of melancholy that surrounds Shannon's Elvis, I don't think the film would have had any weight to it atThis movie is saved by the strength of Michael Shannon's performance. Kevin Spacey is good as well, but if it weren't for the deep sense of melancholy that surrounds Shannon's Elvis, I don't think the film would have had any weight to it at all.

There are a couple of chuckles to be had here and there based around the absurdity of the life that Elvis leads and the juxtaposition of him and Nixon. Certainly that has to be part of the reason why the picture of the two of them that inspired this movie proves so popular. The way Elvis disarms and interacts with Nixon made for an entertaining exchange. Neither man comes across as very relatable but we can understand why they might relate to one another.

The movie never really takes off, but in the end it does work to paint a sad and affecting portrait of Elvis. I haven't checked, but it felt as though it was adapted from a stage play. Whenever Michael Shannon was given the opportunity to just talk for a bit, the movie was at its strongest. I also thought the relationship with Jerry was well done in showing what it would be like to live alongside someone who constantly sucks up all the oxygen in whatever room he's in but still makes you feel special for having been there.

It's a solid character study of Elvis but whenever the story veers away from Shannon, the film gets weaker.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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3
Benkoko11Feb 23, 2017
I came to see Spacey and Shannon, but left wondering whether there was enough of a story here to make a film? The answer is resoundingly no. This here is a film with remarkably little value either as entertainment or education.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
BITESCREENJun 21, 2017
Die besten Storys erzählt bekanntlich das Leben – und die vom so gut wie wahren Elvis & Nixon ist besonders beknackt: Im tumultigen 1970 will ein besorgter King die Welt verändern. Der Superstar schreibt einen Brief an den amtierendenDie besten Storys erzählt bekanntlich das Leben – und die vom so gut wie wahren Elvis & Nixon ist besonders beknackt: Im tumultigen 1970 will ein besorgter King die Welt verändern. Der Superstar schreibt einen Brief an den amtierenden US-Präsidenten ­– mit der blauäugigen Bitte, als Undercoveragent für Recht und Ordnung zu sorgen. Ein Treffen findet tatsächlich statt, das daraus resultierende Foto geht in die Geschichte ein. Um viel mehr geht es nicht in Liza Johnsons Film, kein politischer Ballast drückt die Stimmung der seichten, dafür doppelt charmanten Komödie. Das ist aber auch nicht schlimm – denn Kevin Spacey als grummeliger Nixon ist zum Schießen, Michael Shannon gibt souverän den leicht melancholischen King. Elvis & Nixon zeigt die wohl populärsten Personen seiner Zeit somit als Alltagsmenschen – wodurch der Film dann doch unerwartetes Terrain erschließt.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
FilipeNetoJan 15, 2021
This was one of the films I saw at the last New Year's Eve, and it was a pleasant surprise, considering that I was not particularly impressed with the synopsis I had read about it. The strong point of the film is the simple fact that it isThis was one of the films I saw at the last New Year's Eve, and it was a pleasant surprise, considering that I was not particularly impressed with the synopsis I had read about it. The strong point of the film is the simple fact that it is based, obviously in a very distorted way, on a meeting that really took place between Elvis Presley, one of the most notable music artists ever, and the American President Richard Nixon, remembered by American history for the worst reasons, usually, given that he was one of the few presidents to step down to avoid being forced out from office.

The script is good, and adapts perfectly to a short film like this. In fact, almost everything happens only during one day of the singer's life, who, distressed by drug abuse by young people, decides to collaborate with the authorities as a plain clothed federal agent, secretly, in order to combat the abuses of youth who, for him, corrupted America. Nixon is not a kind of man who adheres to fashions or wants to be with singers, and will naturally pose several objections to the meeting, but he will be overcome by his daughter, who is an Elvis fan.

The cast is as small as the film, but it has a great performance by Kevin Spacey, an actor that I usually don't usually appreciate very much but who did an excellent job as the president. Michael Shannon is an actor I didn't know, I don't remember any of his films, but I think he did an interesting job in the role of Elvis, although I have my doubts about how strict he was in the way he portrayed the King. Obviously, the scenes with the White House advisers stank of comic satire and I don't believe they happened that way. Alex Pettyfer, Colin Hanks and Evan Peters play the secondary roles with dignity and commitment, the latter two with a strong comic streak.

Technically, it is a pleasant film, which entertains and flows smoothly until the end, with good doses of humor and very inspired and colorful dialogues. It has a pleasant cinematography and the costumes make good use of the clothes and fashion of that time. The sets, in turn, are not so visibly dated, but they fit perfectly. The soundtrack is very good and uses iconic songs like "Hold On, I'm Comming" by Sam and Dave, or "Suzy Q", by Creedence Clearwater Revival, functioning as a true potpourri of the best music of the early Seventies.… Expand
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