Loving You

I like this semi autobiographic movie. Not only is the plot strong, but once again Elvis has a strong supporting cast. I particularly liked the character the Delores Hart played. I especially thought that the controversy surrounding Elvis Presley's character mirrored the early part of his career. I give this movie 4 stars

Early Elvis that, probably due to distribution problems, is his most obscure. A decent if unexceptional film that contains one of his more popular songs "Teddy Bear" as well as the title tune. It tells a simple tale of a country bumpkin looking for a place in the world and incidentally having a great voice and star power to burn. While most Elvis films except for his worse usually have at least one quality performer, Barbara Stanwyck in Roustabout, Gig Young in Kid Galahad, Angela Lansbury in Blue Hawaii etc., this one has one of the better casts with Lizabeth Scott, Wendell Corey and in the first film of her brief pre-convent career Dolores Hart. A pleasant entertainment.

"Loving You", the King's second movie, succeeds by using his own raw personality and talent and a version of his real-life rise to fame as a backdrop; the songs, too, are far better than many of the musical films he would churn out in the 1960s. Elvis himself makes use of his young rebel status as Deke Rivers, a driver who joins a country music outfit and causes havoc with his wild rock 'n roll style. His own band appear (Scotty Moore, DJ Fontana, Bill Black) and there is even a glimpse of Elvis' mum Gladys in one of the audiences.

In the cast alongside Elvis are Lizabeth Scott as the predatory Glenda, Wendell Corey as her on-off boyfriend and bandleader Tex, and pretty Doleres Hart as the love interest for Deke. The film also benefits from carefully planned Technicolor and some imaginative costumes for Presley to kick start his movie image. Enjoyable and very watchable, and somewhat ahead of its time.

Elvis Presley was a hugely influential performer with one of the most distinctive singing voices of anybody. He embarked on a film career consisting of 33 films from 1956 to 1969, films that did well at the box-office but mostly panned critically (especially his later films) and while he was a highly charismatic performer he was never considered a great actor.

'Loving You' however is one of his best films, regardless of its corny scripting, paper-thin (at times) story and cop-out ending. It also boasts one of Elvis' better acting performances, it is one of his most natural-looking ones where he is not as stiff as he could be and like in his film debut 'Love Me Tender' there is a charm, easy-going charisma and genuine emotional honesty. He also has one of his best supporting casts, with the likes of Lizabeth Scott, Wendell Corey, James Gleason and Delores Hart.

As to be expected, the music is great, especially the title song, "Teddy Bear" (a highlight scene), "Lonesome Cowboy" and "Got a Lot o' Livin' to Do". Elvis sings sublimely with his usual distinctive timbre and the way he sings and performs in 'Loving You' is quintessential prime Elvis Presley.

Throughout there is a lot of charm, and as an re-enactment of Elvis' rise to stardom the film boasts some genuinely moving and sincere moments. The direction is solid.

Production values are top-class too, 'Loving You' was the first of Elvis' films to be shot in colour and it looks fabulous.

In conclusion, one of Elvis' best films, not perfect but not one to be scorned at. 8/10 Bethany Cox

For his second film Elvis Presley plays a young man who is discovered and becomes a singing idol much like Elvis Presley. His discoverers are publicist Lizabeth Scott and has been country performer Wendell Corey. Elvis's success and his issues as a troubled youth cause a lot of issues between Scott and Corey.

Loving You boasts a couple of big mega hits for Presley, the title song and Teddy Bear. It also introduces Dolores Hart who is a country girl like Presley is a country boy and it takes the whole film to find out they're really suited for each other.

As for Presley's issues he has a fine scene with Scott as he tells her of his orphan background and how he came to take the name of Deke Rivers. The scene was delivered with a whole of feeling and indicated an acting talent in Presley that later on was never taken advantage of.

For Presley fans, Loving You is an absolute must.