Tom Hanks’ most recent performance in the Elvis Presley biography has drawn criticism from viewers. The film Elvis, directed by Baz Luhrmann and starring 30-year-old Austin Butler as the eponymous music legend, was released in theatres earlier this month.
Tom Hanks, 65, who portrays Colonel Tom Parker, the renowned manager of Presley, appears with Butler.
Despite the fact that Hanks has built a successful career on the strength of his outstanding performances in films like Forrest Gump, Philadelphia, Toy Story, and Captain Phillips, viewers have dubbed his work in Elvis as the “worst part” of the film because they couldn’t get past the use of a fat suit to simulate Parker’s larger frame.
Even though the film hasn’t even been out for a week, disgruntled moviegoers have taken to social media to criticize Hanks’ performance.
“Tom Hanks was the worst part of the Elvis movie. The music and Austin Butler were [fire],” one Twitter user wrote.
A second wrote: “All over the place, but really well made. Tom Hanks was easily the worst part but Austin Butler’s performance is incredible. 7.8/10 #Elvis.”
“Really cannot overstate how bad Tom Hanks is in ELVIS,” tweeted a third. “Arguably one of his worst ever performances. Felt closer to Fat Bastard from Austin Powers than anything non-fictional, or even human.
“Worst part? Despite being the objective villain, he never felt threatening at all.”
Hanks also came under fire for dressing in a fat suit for the part of Parker, much like the current criticism directed at Emma Thompson for her portrayal of Miss Trunchbull in Netflix’s production of the Matilda musical.
“Tom Hanks is wearing a fat suit in the movie ‘Elvis’. Can we agree that fat suits are offensive, absurd, and have no place in dramas? Hire Fat actors,” one person tweeted.
Another tweeted: “Between the insulting fat suit (because apparently there are no fat actors on the planet) and his pathetic and laughable performance, Tom Hanks should take a break from acting. #elvis.”
“Elvis movie was good with the notable exception of Tom Hanks in a fat suit and facial prosthetics. He was AWFUL,” wrote another Twitter user.
A fourth added: “I know it’s a little early for award predictions but I bet you tom hanks will win a razzie for his work as “tom hanks in a fat suit” in #Elvis [sic]”
Other Twitter users also went as far as to describe Hanks’ accent in the movie as “horrific” and “terrible”.
“Basically he looks like Fat Bastard and sounds like Goldmember,” wrote one viewer.
When questioned by Variety whether Tom Hanks’ accent was true to the actual Col. Parker, biographer Alanna Nash responded: “No. It was more American, more rural. And he had what sounded like a slight lisp or speech impediment.
“Turns out he didn’t have an impediment — he was just trying to wrap a Dutch tongue around the English language, Southern-style.”
Source: vt.co
