Elvis Meets Nixon [VHS]

Of course it's all a dramatization of events, and perhaps more than just a bit of artistic license has been taken with the two main characters' personalities. But as an Elvis fan who holds the artist and the man with reverence, I found this to be one of the funniest movies I have ever watched. The almost child-like detachment from reality with which Elvis and Nixon lived their lives at the time is incomprhensible at times. Bob Gunton's portrayal of President Nixon rivals that of Dan Hedaya in "Dick" (also made by Canadians, by the way) for sheer genius of comedic timing, and Rick Peters is so amazing as Elvis (the "doughnut shop in DC" scene is one of the most amazingly surreal moments I've ever seen on film...and I own "Bubba Ho-tep", as well) that it took my about six viewings of this movie to realize that he has brown eyes rather than the King's royal blue (how did that detail get overlooked in pre-production?).

Everything that occurs in this movie takes place from a slightly skewed angle; of course it could not possibly happen today (could it?), but to the amazement of everyone, Elvis was able to pull it off some 35 years ago ("Watch and learn, son...watch and learn"). The "interviews" with contemporary artists Wayne Newton, Tony Curtis, and Stephen Stills(?) as well as Dick Cavett and the surviving "characters" associated with Elvis and Nixon at the time are hilarious, as well. The documentary angle is well-played, but the individual performances of Peters and Gunton (try to keep a straight face whenever Nixon swears in this movie, I dare you) are really what carry this movie.

For better or worse, Elvis and Nixon did more to shape the culture of the second half of the 20th Century than practically anyone else; it is natural that they seem somehow inevitably drawn together, and this movie tells the story the way I truly and dearly wish it had actually happened. I'll be watching it tonight (16 August, "Ascension Day", as I call it) eating doughnuts and cheeseburgers. You'd do well to check this one out, as well.


Fun for Elvis lovers and nonlovers alike.   May 29, 2005
freelulu (houston)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I just recently saw this movie with a group of friends, some die-hard fans like myself, and others who know very little about Elvis. This movie was great! Everyone enjoyed and laughed out loud at the absurdity of the reality these two men lived in. Both were so out of touch with everyday life... they were destined to find each other in this truly ironic way.

As a life-long fan, and someone who has seen virtually every incarnation of Elvis, real or unreal or surreal, on film - I can truly say this is informative inspite of it's inevitable truth and silliness. You really can't make this stuff up. If you can find this one, pick it up immediately!



"You can't make this up..."   August 15, 2004
P. Fry
4 out of 5 found this review helpful

Of course, most of it is an "artists impression", but based on what everyone knows about these two men with many eccentricities and very strong personalities. Bob Gunton does a great Dick Nixon and Rick Peters does a really good Elvis, minus the singing voice. The factuality which the story is based on is the letter Elvis sent to Nixon which is fantastic itself and the photo of Elvis in the purple cape suit with the President in the Oval Office - proof that the meeting did occur.

Of course the film is meant to be a comedy, and it is very funny. A lot of the funny stuff is based on "legends" that have a good grounding in the truth as well: Elvis really did stop at a donut shop on his way to the Washington Hotel and he really did check in then fly to LA without checking out. We're told that by the narrator's who are played by themselves - Graham Nash, Tony Curtis, Art Linklater, Wayne Newton who repeatedly intone "You can't make this up!"

If you like political satire and character studies you'll enjoy it, if the only comedy you enjoy is slap-stick and sit-com style comedy, then you might not get it.