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Elvis Meets Nixon

Rick Peters , Bob Gunton , Allan Arkush    PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)   VHS Tape
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)

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Most helpful customer reviews
Format:VHS Tape
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.

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5.0 out of 5 stars The King goes to DC! Jun 20 2004
Format:VHS Tape
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!
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5.0 out of 5 stars one memorable weekend April 15 2004
By momazon
Format:VHS Tape
In 1970, in a bid to do his part for the Vietnam War, Elvis takes his first-ever solo plane trip to DC to meet President Nixon to discuss being a federal drug enforcement officer. He usually doesn't carry money or a passport --- one of his entourage does that for him -- but in these pre-Sept. 11 days, he gets past all that.

Nixon has his own turmoil with the Vietnam War protestors -- after all, the war started under Kennedy. Elvis has his own umbrage with those British upstarts, the Beatles. One of the best discussions is when both Nixon and Elvis blame America's fascination with their respective nemesis on "the hair and the accents."

I love that this is a true story, told with some embellishments as no one was actually in that meeting with Elvis and Nixon. It is funny without being a joke. Worth your time!

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Most recent customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars The Trickster and the Hounddog.
This highly entertaining, hilarious film, that originally aired on Showtime; examines the time that Elvis flew to Washington, D.C. Read more
Published on May 11 2003 by tvtv3
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Fun! How about a DVD?!?
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. Read more
Published on May 7 2003
5.0 out of 5 stars Great movie
One of the best movies about Elvis that you will ever see. Great laughs, great story. One of my favorites!
Published on Aug 16 2002 by Robert S. Monek
5.0 out of 5 stars prepare to be amazed
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. Read more
Published on Aug 29 2001 by John Norby
5.0 out of 5 stars Elvis at 35 and out on his own
This Showtime movie stars Rick Peters (as Elvis, played with affecting sympathy) and Bob Gunton (as Nixon, played with broad wit). Read more
Published on Dec 15 2000 by Bob
5.0 out of 5 stars You Boys Remind Me of "E"
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. Read more
Published on Jan 19 2000
5.0 out of 5 stars An Undiscovered Gem
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. Read more
Published on Dec 22 1999 by Murray Antionette
4.0 out of 5 stars Of all "Elvis" films - this is the best.
A true but sad description of Elvis and hus sense of out of touch with reality he had. The definitive moment when he entered a record store in L.A. Read more
Published on Feb 15 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars A picture speaks 1,000 words
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. Read more
Published on Nov 21 1998 by jdtillot@thegrid.net
4.0 out of 5 stars Funny, skewed view of the King and his meeting with Nixon.
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... Read more
Published on Nov 17 1998
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