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.
Heartbreak Hotel
1988
Action / Comedy / Musical / Romance
Heartbreak Hotel
1988
Action / Comedy / Musical / Romance
Plot summary
When a teen tries to set up a band at his school, his mother who was a big fan of Elvis Presley gets in a wreck he and his band members decides to kidnap Elvis and have him hooked up with his mother.
Uploaded by: OTTO
January 07, 2015 at 07:33 AM
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.BLU 1080p.BLUMovie Reviews
A nice interesting, entertaining film
A sweet confection
If you're an Elvis purist, stay away. This film takes great liberties with the life of the King and David Keith really doesn't look like him, either. Never mind, because Heartbreak Hotel is such a sweet (and manipulative!) picture that you'll be reaching for your hanky by the end. It's the Elvis film that truly raises him to an iconic level, and I can well imagine the Church of Elvis incorporating this into their video Bible a hundred years from now. The films of Elvis himself will be the Old Testament, and Heartbreak Hotel will be one of the Gospels.
For now, grab a box of kleenex, settle into your easy chair and enjoy the re-creation of the restaurant scene from Loving You that is one of the highlights of this most enjoyable bit of fluff.
The king and mom.
What a gift for mother's day, at least a special mother's day that isn't the official mother's day. For widowed Tuesday Weld, it's a huge surprise when she comes home from the hospital after an alleged suicide attempt when her latest boyfriend dumps her. Devoted son Charlie Schlatter isn't exactly an Elvis fan himself, preferring Alice Cooper, but to help his mother heal, decides to kidnap Elvis from a Cleveland concert and brings him to see his mom at least for one night. Of course out this isn't happy about being kidnapped, but devoted to his fans and the memory of his late mother agrees to stay at least to help her get better.
Talented actor David Keith is an interesting choice to play Elvis here, always having reminded me in a way of Kurt Russell who had appeared with eldest in a movie as a kid and later played him on screen. He's not exactly an Elvis look-alike perfectly, but if you have to have a name playing the King, Keith manages to get away with it and is very good. Schlatter is a charmer as Weld's son and she gives a tender performance as the troubled mother.
Obviously a fantasia on the life of the king and very sweet in nature, this film has a big heart and expresses it through his music which is still sung today. Keith's version of Elvis is a humble man who puts on a good show, shows generosity to his supporters and even sends one a Cadillac after reading a fan telegram. Not sure how close that is to the real Elvis, but if you're going to make a fictional version as a superstar still a door today, you might as well go all the way and create a tender fairy tale that is both funny and romantic and touching.