Customer Reviews

Elvis Meets Nixon [VHS]

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Another "made-for-Showtime" original movie that wildly exceeded expectatations (see also my review of the Patrick Stewart vehicle "Safe House"), "Elvis Meets Nixon" details the two days in December of 1970 when Elvis Presley, for reasons known but to himself, left his home in home in Memphis, Tennessee on his own for the first time in his adult life, criss-crossing the country to Washington, DC, then to Los Angeles, CA, and finally back to DC for a meeting with...President Richard Nixon.

Of course it's all a dramatization of events, and perhaps more than just a bit of artistic license has been taken with the two main characters' personalities. But as an Elvis fan who holds the artist and the man with reverence, I found this to be one of the funniest movies I have ever watched. The almost child-like detachment from reality with which Elvis and Nixon lived their lives at the time is incomprhensible at times. Bob Gunton's portrayal of President Nixon rivals that of Dan Hedaya in "Dick" (also made by Canadians, by the way) for sheer genius of comedic timing, and Rick Peters is so amazing as Elvis (the "doughnut shop in DC" scene is one of the most amazingly surreal moments I've ever seen on film...and I own "Bubba Ho-tep", as well) that it took my about six viewings of this movie to realize that he has brown eyes rather than the King's royal blue (how did that detail get overlooked in pre-production?).

Everything that occurs in this movie takes place from a slightly skewed angle; of course it could not possibly happen today (could it?), but to the amazement of everyone, Elvis was able to pull it off some 35 years ago ("Watch and learn, son...watch and learn"). The "interviews" with contemporary artists Wayne Newton, Tony Curtis, and Stephen Stills(?) as well as Dick Cavett and the surviving "characters" associated with Elvis and Nixon at the time are hilarious, as well. The documentary angle is well-played, but the individual performances of Peters and Gunton (try to keep a straight face whenever Nixon swears in this movie, I dare you) are really what carry this movie.

For better or worse, Elvis and Nixon did more to shape the culture of the second half of the 20th Century than practically anyone else; it is natural that they seem somehow inevitably drawn together, and this movie tells the story the way I truly and dearly wish it had actually happened. I'll be watching it tonight (16 August, "Ascension Day", as I call it) eating doughnuts and cheeseburgers. You'd do well to check this one out, as well.

I started watching this on cable one night with absolutely no expectations. I was pleasantly surprised at how much damned fun this movie was. Quirky, funny & good story. Now how about a DVD???

I was too young to appreciate Elvis and I hated Nixon with all my heart. This said, both of these figures are larger than life and this movie plays it for laughs and gets them. I have showed this movie to several friends(I saw it 5 times in one week). Everyone of them loved it and still can't believe they had never heard of this movie. It is a great romp.

This made for t.v. movie is an undiscovered gem. From the very beginning when Elvis shoots out the t.v. because he hates Robert Goulet, you know you are watching something special. Rick Peters does a great Elvis, and Bob Gunton is an hysterically funny Nixon. This movie has great lines, and my teenage kids loved it as well. It is something to watch when you want to laugh. Hopefully, it will be re-released on VHS or DVD. It might be the best movie no one has seen.

With cameos from Dick Cavett, Edwin Newman and Wayne Newton, "Elvis Meets Nixon" is an hysterical look into the famous photograph taken in December, 1970. The film primarily focuses on Elvis's real-life trek to the White House where he discovers just how out-of-sync he is with American culture of the late 60s. Along the way, Elvis holds up a donut shop, badmouths some hippies, shoots a few televisions and eats lots of airplane food. Through it all, President Nixon ponders the fact that the children of America hate him while he considers adding the Beatles to his infamous enemies list. Bob Gunton as Nixon and Rick Peters as Elvis are sensational as they inadvertantly create one of the greatest "buddy" scenes in film history. Gunton, an established actor, richly deserved awards for his show-stopping performance. Hilarious and almost heartbreaking, this film truly taps into the future plummets of both American icons. Any buff of contemporary American history should check out this little gem that is as tasty as a peanut butter and nanner sandwich.

I saw this movie on Showtime back in 1998, and have been hoping it will break into the DVD market soon. A brilliant account of true events. It gives you an enjoyable experience of the King of Rock and Roll, as he journeys around Haight-Ashbury and then around DC, ultimately visiting with President Nixon in the hopes of becoming a DEA agent to fight the war on drugs. A great insight into the similarities of two totally different characters, Elvis and Nixon!

I saw this film via rental in early 1999, and more than any other film in 1999, this is the one that captured my heart and my imagination. If you are someone that gets a kick out of Elvis and busts a gut over Nixon, then this movie is for you. See it, then visit the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, CA and see the GUN! The humor in this movie is fantastic but sometimes you gotta pay attention or you'll miss some of the best funny stuff. See this movie!

I loved this movie. The scene of Elvis in the donut shop is one of the best ever -- the absurdity of the situation, coupled with the truth (as we know it) about Elvis makes it one of my favorite movie scenes. Elvis, alone, is something that I never contemplated, nor, it seems, did his entourage. It truly offered a different perspective of the man. Acting -- good to excellent, especially Elvis. "My boy, my boy" -- it's a movie I would highly recommend, especially for those weekend nights where you want something different and light.

I just recently saw this movie with a group of friends, some die-hard fans like myself, and others who know very little about Elvis. This movie was great! Everyone enjoyed and laughed out loud at the absurdity of the reality these two men lived in. Both were so out of touch with everyday life... they were destined to find each other in this truly ironic way.

As a life-long fan, and someone who has seen virtually every incarnation of Elvis, real or unreal or surreal, on film - I can truly say this is informative inspite of it's inevitable truth and silliness. You really can't make this stuff up. If you can find this one, pick it up immediately!

One of the best movies about Elvis that you will ever see. Great laughs, great story. One of my favorites!