A Filmmaker's Review: "Elvis Presley: The Searcher" (2018)

I watched "The Searcher" (2018) obviously after listening to the soundtrack and watching a number of Elvis documentaries. The truth is, I watched it when it came out but because it was on so late at night and I'd been at work, I didn't actually make it the whole way through the film before falling asleep. It's not boring at all, I was just tired. It's a very well-made film and I really quite enjoy it as it is a refreshing different look at the Elvis myth that doesn't concentrate on death and destruction in a somewhat apocalyptic fashion. Instead, it focuses more on how Elvis was in himself, how he was named by this film as 'the searcher' and what exactly that means. With lots of people talking about him who knew him such as Sam Phillips and Priscilla Presley, we get an intimate portrait of one of the world's biggest icons ever. It is a brilliant, shining documentary that not only has an incredible soundtrack, but also has some incredible moments in which you are forced to really think about where Elvis came from and what he was doing to make a name for himself.

A great part of the film is when it explains what he was doing at Sun Records and how he'd walk past the studio every now and again, stare in the window, walk back and forth outside the studio but never go in. One day he decided to actually go into the studio and the recording was a bit of a mess, but eventually it got there. Well, aren't we all glad he decided to go inside in the end? Of course we are.

Another great part of the film is when it talks about how Elvis was raised and the fact that his mother and father not only had little money and not only had a dead twin son that was supposed to be Elvis's twin - but also Elvis's father went to prison when he was only a child. Elvis would go and visit his father in prison and his father felt purely embarrassed that his son had to see him like that. After spending 6 months behind bars, Elvis's father became slightly less present in Elvis's life and Elvis latched on to his mother for comfort. They were so poor and well, the fact he made something for himself was astounding given where he came from. It really is an inspiring story.

I think that this is possibly one of the better documentaries on the man's life since it not only isn't always about death and destruction, but it doesn't paint him as a shadowy almost mysterious character. In this film, he's doing things like playing the piano for people or playing tennis. I loved the story of the Tennis game that was played between friends because it really does paint Elvis as this not only larger than life character, but there's also a big thing about people who hung out with Elvis trying to bring him back down to earth for us little people. I think that's a great thing and not only does it show that Elvis was actually a real person, but it also gives us a perspective in which to put him - it shows us that people loved who he truly was and he loved other people, it was all very normal.

The way they talked about him playing his music on the piano and on the guitar was probably my favourite part of the documentary because of the fact Elvis is most well-known for his incredible music talent. The way in which he plays these almost very private and intimate concerts for his friends is a lot different to the way he plays on stage. The way he plays for his friends is such a private affair and so, we feel like we're getting almost a different side to Elvis's music appearance. It isn't only intimate, but it's also a soft, touching look at the King - it's incredibly critical of his stage persona and ridicules it as being too extreme.

In conclusion, the documentary is more of a soft look at the King by those who knew him most - Sam Phillips, Priscilla Presley and people who generally hung around with him. It is a beautiful portrait of an enigmatic character that succeeds in bringing him back down to earth - letting him live again without the pain and sadness that befell him. It doesn't focus on death, but it focuses on what made people happy about him when he was alive, well and when he was at his most and best.