HEARTBREAK HOTEL
US, 1987, 97 minutes, Colour.
David Keith, Tuesday Weld, Charlie Schlatter.
Directed by Chris Columbus.
Heartbreak Hotel calls itself a fable about the king, Elvis Presley. It is a fantasy set in 1972 - Presley on the road in Ohio, a young would-be musician in Ohio kidnapping the king and taking him to see his mother- and Presley transforming the family and the town. The plot has its heart in the right place.
The film was written and directed by Chris Columbus, the writer of such films as Gremlins and Young Sherlock Holmes and the director of such films as A Night on the Town, Home Away.
Tuesday Weld makes a welcome reappearance on-screen as the mother. David Keith gives a fair impersonation of Elvis Presley. Charlie Schlatter (the continuingly smiling actor of 18 Again, Bright Lights, Big City, The Delinquents) is the young boy. The film is partly American in its style and appeal.
1. The title? Elvis Presley's hit? Audience response to Elvis Presley - during his career, the later years, after his death - and the seeming multi-resurrections?
2. Popular fable of the 80s? The memory of Elvis Presley? His impact in his time? His fans growing older? Rock 'n Roll and the younger generation?
3. The Ohio settings, the small town, the school, homes, motels? Cleveland and the performance? The diners? The range of songs included?
4. John and his relationship with his mother, taking care of her, concern about her boyfriends? Looking after his young sister? The rehearsals, his group, not accepted for the concert? His admiration for Beth and his shyness? The clashes with his mother? With Steve? The discussions about rock 'n roll? Elvis Presley coming to Cleveland, discussions with his group? His mother ill, the accident, in hospital, coming home? The plan to kidnap Elvis Presley? Persuading Rose to change her hairstyle, appear like Elvis's mother? The details of the plan and its execution? Elvis's performance? The discussion at 3.00 am, kidnapping him? The response to Elvis at home? His reactions, John explaining the situation? His being gracious towards the mother friendship with her? The meals, her dressing up, going out on the lake? The friendship with John after their initial clashes? Discussions about rock 'n roll, fame, stardom, fans? The age of the fans? His helping John with his clothes, the American flag, with the songs? A little girl and her fear of the dark, Elvis and his own daughter, explaining the dark and getting her to be courageous? His influence on people? The people of the town coming and his entertaining them? Going to the diner, the clash with Steve and the fight? Time to go? The repercussions of the visit to the town on Elvis, his fans, his being his more real self? His attendants coming to get him, the farewell? John's happiness and achievement?
5. The portrait of Elvis, the popular image, the stories told about him, a more genial presentation of Elvis and his kindness, rock 'n roll and singing? The performance of Heartbreak Hotel with John?
6. The mother, her husband walking out, living in the past, her boyfriends? Being reprimanded by her children? Her going out, the accident, hospital? Coming home, dressing up? Coming alive again, appreciating Elvis's help with the children? The reconciliation with her children, a future?
7. John, the influence of Elvis, going to see Beth, rejected by the father? Beth coming to see him? His growing in confidence, the music, the audition and his rejection, coming back, singing with Elvis? Learning to grow up? The influence on the little girl?
8. The people in the town, Rose and her going along with the plan, Elvis thinking she was his mother, the flowers, the pet name? Her bringing her sister to see Elvis? Steve, the tough, as a boyfriend, violent, bashing John, the fight with Elvis?
9. The portrait of the middle American town? Combined with the fable about Elvis Presley? A piece of Americana?
