Film review - Viva Las Vegas (1964)

In an era where faces on the silver screen was really the only way to see them, 'Viva Las Vegas' combined a must-see spectacle in terms of its stylistic package.  All the boxes are ticked for a contemporary rom-com filled with music, dancing and colourful cinematography.  The two headlining stars would've easily filled theatres based on their looks alone - let's be frank.  However the story itself was neither original or memorable.

The 'King of rock n roll' plays a car mechanic who likes to race cars and pursue the local swimming instructor, whom he happens to meet when she takes her car to his garage ("...the engine whistles").  As he proceeds to charm her his colleague and friend fancies his chances too, as cinema's most gentlemanly antagonist.

The standard Elvis Presley film by 1964 had gained a familiar structure:  boy has life, in comes girl, flirtation is teased, it appears to be on, girl has tiff with boy, boy works to get her back, girl gets back and it's a happy ending.  Oh and there's a bunch of songs sprinkled in between, sung at often inappropriate moments.  The formula here was no different and would barely deviate in Presley pictures over the next five years.

I consider myself somewhat of an Elvis fan but this picture was overrated.  There are some moments of mild humour but it aims for polite laughs.  That said it's not without its positives.  This may be the sole Elvis film where his female counterpart gives him a run for his money in owning the screen (something Col. Parker surely wouldn't be happy with!). If you can get past the obvious voice dubbing, Ann-Margaret's performance is charismatic and energetic, if still playing a predictable character.

What's just as striking is the colour the entire movie is filmed in.  The shades of any colour of the rainbow present is really well-captured, thus demonstrating how much was invested in this production.  Another evident aspect is the relative wholesomeness throughout, over what could have easily been blatantly risqué.  A ploy to get everyone out to see Elvis on screen?  Most likely, however it's no wonder the man was rumoured to covet meatier acting roles - and ironically seems to be more at peace when acting rather than singing here.

Aside from the hit eponymous track only two other songs are merely memorable, both either featuring Margaret in a vocal duet or providing a dance routine as if she'd wet herself.  Is it worth watching?  For no other reason than a good laugh with your significant other on a school night.