Discover
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Priscilla Presley
Executive Producer -
Rick Avery
Stunt Coordinator -
Joni Avery
Stunts -
Jason Horwitch
Story -
David Leonard
Grip -
Stuart M. Besser
Co-Producer -
Elliot Davis
Director of Photography -
Cary Brokaw
Producer
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Wuchak 6/23/2021 3:58:08 PM
Low-key road trip with “Elvis” about grief, wonder, healing and love RELEASED IN 1998 and directed by David Winkler, "Finding Graceland” is a drama about a peculiar drifter claiming to be Elvis (Harvey Keitel) who catches a ride with a grief-stricken young man (Johnathon Schaech) and travel from the Southwest to Memphis to make the anniversary of the real Elvis’ death, August 16th. Along the way they run into a Marilyn Monroe impersonator (Bridget Fonda). The best thing about this film is the intriguing eccentricity of the ‘Elvis’ character. It takes Burn (Schaech) a long time to catch a grip with him, as it does the viewer: Does ‘Elvis’ REALLY believe he’s Elvis or is he a con? If he’s a con, why does he throw money on the floor like it’s worthless to him? How could he possibly know the minutia about Elvis that he does? If he’s a drifter, where does he get the kind of cash he can just throw around at whim? True, he may get gigs as an impersonator, but do they seriously pay enough to have his attitude? The answers are there if you reflect on the data. In addition, the road trip element is entertaining and Bridget was in her prime at 33-34. But it’s the characters and the potent themes of grief, wonder, healing and love that win the day. I can see how some would roll their eyes at the hinted fantasy elements, but I found the film touching and heartwarming. THE MOVIE RUNS 1 hour, 37 minutes and was shot in Hollywood & Tunica, Mississippi; Memphis, Tennessee; and some spots in the Southwest. WRITERS: Jason Horwitch and David Winkler. GRADE: B+
Harvey Keitel
ElvisGretchen Mol
Beatrice GrumanBridget Fonda
AshleySusan Traylor
MaggieJohn Aylward
Sheriff HaynesJohnathon Schaech
Byron GrumanPeggy Gormley
Fran