I eat my words having watched it: Butler as Elvis was BRILLIANT!

I'm not easily impressed and, not really being an Elvis fan (nothing against the guy), was dragged to see it by my gf who is a huge fan of his and is a deep admirer of Americana generally.

The movie started out interesting visually as well as covering his early influences and US segregation fascism at that time, although too wealthy to be embargoed and blocked like the very similar South Africa was.

Butler's performance grew on me until, during the Vegas scenes later I think he was f*ckin' outstanding. Oscar-worthy even. And Hanks did an incredible job, too.

Elvis, extremely gifted, flawed, tragic and brilliant. But sadly ripped off from what even he could have been, by Tom.