Heartbreak Hotel (1988)

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?

In 1972 Ohio, a teenage boy kidnaps Elvis Presley after a concert in Cleveland and takes him home (in his pink Cadillac!) to cheer up his divorced mom, despondent after a fight with her latest boyfriend. David Keith doesn't look like Elvis--he doesn't even fill out the infamous bejeweled white jumpsuit efficiently--however, he has obviously studied Presley's mannerisms and vocal rhythms, and does well in the part after an unconvincing introduction. It takes a leap of faith to believe in this nostalgic fable, but Keith enthusiastically carries it to its inevitable conclusion, carving out his own impersonation under the black Elvis wig. Also fine is Tuesday Weld (a former Presley co-star) as the long-time Elvis fan amazed to find her idol in her home, a dilapidated hotel called the Flaming Star. Weld isn't well-lit or flatteringly photographed, however her age works in her favor here (she's credible playing the mother of growing kids, not like a 30-something passing herself off as the burnt-out mother of two). Besides the leaden opening and awful kidnapping sequence (which is laboriously contrived by writer-director Chris Columbus), the weakest link in the film are the teenagers. Charlie Schlatter must have studied Elvis, too, but not in a way that was helpful; with his perpetually disgusted expressions (so teenage!) and self-conscious sneer, he's like an anchor on these wafty-fantastic proceedings (I don't think Schlatter is ever in character here, but then he wasn't given much help from Columbus' limited conception of the kid). The other young actors are also tiresome, but when Columbus finally gets down to business and allows the star-smitten mom a few private moments with her very own superstar, he manages to enchant us with a little plastic magic. **1/2 from ****

I have seen this film a few times, and I really do like it. Its a nice fictional story, set in the 80's. By this time Elvis obviously didn't die young, and is in his 60's, or at least getting old. Johnny helps his mum who owns a hotel. When he see's his mother in distress, he and a friend kidnaps Elvis in a bid to gain her happiness again. At first Elvis is furious, but he soon begins to live and let live, and a friendship and bond ensues between them all.It is a pleasant film, and enjoyable. May not be to everyones taste, but I liked it.With a good soundtrack, and good acting, it really isn't a bad film.

This movie is much better than people seem to think. It's not just fun family entertainment, it really shows Elvis trying to come to terms with what went right and wrong with his life. It goes from a spooky, spiritual opening, where Elvis acknowledges his own mortality in song ("So hush little baby, don't you cry/You know your daddy's bound to die")to a rousing "If I Can Dream" finale. The idea is that Elvis gets everything right here that he got so tragically wrong in real time. He is the perfect father, husband, and artist, and he stands up for what we believe in, instead of just wasting himself. Touching and inspiring film. What keeps the movie from going soft is the fact that the young rock and roller played by Charlie Schlatter (whatever happened to him?) is initially quite contemptuous of Elvis and his Las Vegas style lounge act. The kid chews Elvis out in a very memorable scene that really represents the feelings of millions of young 70's teens about the way Elvis went soft. The fact that Elvis listens and learns is extremely inspiring, but again, the film stays honest. At the end he tells the family, "I've found something here, and I'm afraid if I leave it will slip away again."Sadly, it did.

Don't get me wrong. I do like most of Chris Columbus' other projects. I do like David Keith, but he gives one of the worse portrayals of Elvis I have ever seen. This time flattery is not complimentary. It bothers me to see Elvis portrayed with a chip on his shoulder and with such an angry attitude.This was meant to be a fantasy/comedy, but I feel it sure misses the mark. Outlandish story of a teenage boy gathering a few of his buddies and kidnapping Elvis after a concert in Ohio. The King of Rock 'n' Roll is persuaded to 'hideout' at the home of the boy as a surprise for his depressed mother, an avid Elvis fan.I thought this was a cute movie the first time I saw it. Upon viewing a couple of more times, I find it less attractive. For the pure Presley fans out there, this is like watching an outbreak of the plague. The ending tries to leave you with a peaceful and proud feeling, but the damage had already been done.One time Elvis co-star in WILD IN THE COUNTRY , Tuesday Weld plays the bewildered fanatic. Charlie Schlatter plays the wise ass kidnapper.If you are an Elvis fan and haven't already seen this; don't waste your time.