Elvis & Nixon

Pretty great effort for something that was undoubtedly shouted out to the actors while on stage during improve night. When I think about the boyish charms and dashing good looks of Elvis Presley, I immediately envision the horrifically contorted face of Michael Shannon.

This thing's so cartoony that I sort of expected the Muppet Babies to wander through the frame at any moment. But I was never bored. It's fitfully amusing. There's a very indulgent, "okay, whatever you say" air that hangs over a lot of this movie. But like I said I was never bored.

A weird and somewhat funny film for a weird and somewhat funny story

It's a fun idea, and it really doesn't matter how true it is or is not. It's an endearing look at the legendary figures that might have actually had more in common that we would think. I liked that it also focused on the people who worked closely with them. Michael Shannon and Kevin Spacey are both great in their respective roles. I don't think it's a film I'll remember for a long time, but I enjoyed it while it lasted.

The true story of how Elvis (Michael Shannon) maneuvered his way into the Oval Office to offer his services personally to Nixon (Kevin Spacey) as a federal drug agent at-large. Charming, surprisingly straight-forward slice of stranger-than-fiction fluff, bolstered by Shannon's performance, which balances humor and pathos very well indeed. Bogs down a bit when it focuses on the supporting the cast, and it's arguably a mite TOO down-to-earth at times, but filled with good humor and period flavor.

This story of two generational icons is a curious creation that accomplishes some pretty curious things. In quirky, comedic, full-on indie style, it wryly lampoons and exaggerates both of its main characters' famously narcissistic traits. But it's not outright uncharitable to either of them. Instead, Elvis & Nixon shows us how these two radically different, radically influential men ironically shared more common ground than anyone might have guessed--including them.

I wasn't a huge fan. I felt it could have been cast better I think

Fun, light and quick movie about the meeting between Elvis Presley and President Nixon.

Michael Shannon does an Elvis impression and a sexual predator does a Nixon impression. The funk soundtrack is an odd choice for an Elvis movie and this is surprisingly boring for a wacky premise

Seeming more like fodder for a Drunk History segment than a feature-length film, ELVIS & NIXON takes a while to get to the good stuff, padding out its runtime with unforgivably dull filler. The low-key vibe is matched by Michael Shannon's refreshingly subdued and soulful performance as the King, which pairs well with Kevin Spacey's confused bluster as Nixon. It's just too bad that the film focuses more on the mundanities of the hangers-on and staffers trying to get their bosses to pay attention.

Even when I didn't buy a word being said, I went with the flow. Why? Two reasons: Michael Shannon as Elvis and Kevin Spacey as Tricky Dick. Watching great actors swing for the fences is something special. And, boy, do they go for it. Elvis & Nixon is a mixed bag as a movie, but Shannon and Spacey are not to be missed.

Sitcom level scripting and supporting performances detract, but film is worth seeing for Spacey's very amusing Nixon impression, and Shannon's brilliant personification of an ageing and disenchanted Presley; so heartbreakingly nuanced and on-the-money that it sometimes feels as if Shannon has stumbled in from a better, more ambitious movie! Otherwise, the screenplay lacks genuine insight into any of the other characters, and spends far too long on the romantic travails of Presley's roadie.

The 2 leads are, as expected, fantastic, with both actors helping to make arguably the most caricatured figures in history fully realized, flawed but sympathetic characters (esp Shannon since it's really Elvis' tale). The jokes don't always work & it occasionally suffers from trying to offer an arc for the Jerry Schilling character who's hard to care about next to the leads, but it's amazing how much of a funny & thoughtful character-driven story's been built around a simple meet-and-greet.

Must say it's relief to know the world was crazy back in those days too. Also since nobody looks like Richard Nixon, it's impossible to find someone to be Nixon on screen. While it's more comical then believable to watch Kevin Spacey do Nixon, the dude's got the gestures and voice down to perfection!

loved this. had great expectations and it delievered

A mild comedy with a funny idea. Spacey was a o.k. with Nixon.

The first half of the film simmers quietly, but the resulting flavors are hilarious and highly entertaining.