Shangri-La Suite (2016) User Reviews

Watchable but could have been better

[Seth_Rogue_One · 6/10 · 26 November 2016]

It had a lot of potential but it doesn't quite deliver the goods.

The feeling of the film is a bit weird, not necessarily in a bad way though but it's all very dreamy and surreal, perhaps to empathize the fact that our 2 leads are not really quite living in the same world as the rest of us.

With voice-over narration (that reminded me of the ones that Wes Anderson often has in his films) by Burt Reynolds of all people and a cheap 70's look visually you can't say that the effort wasn't there even if the results might been a bit mixed.

I kinda wished that they'd went in even harder with the surrealism and maybe put in a bit of dark comedy moments in it, because many of the dramatic moments (particulary those involving the Presleys) doesn't quite work.

And although the story does indeed involve Elvis Presley, Priscilla Presley and even Lisa Marie in smaller parts it's not at all based on any true story and I don't really think that Ron Livingston managed to capture Elvis' essence for that matter so Elvis fans might be let down based on that alone.

The main focus is on Emily Browning's and Luke Grimes' characters though of course and while they aren't bad their characters could have been a little more fleshed out.

But even if it didn't make me go wow or anything it's not a bad attempt for a first time full length movie by director Eddie O'Keefe.

Not Elvis at all

[carsonferguson · 4/10 · 8 January 2022]

I gave this a four-star because of the artistic and independent value. I don't feel like there was a lot of research done on the Elvis character. Also as much as I love Ron Livingston. He made Elvis look like a troll. This was definitely not Elvis. I have read a lot of books about Elvis and he was never gloomy and downtrodden like this movie portrays. Elvis was the first pop, rockstar ever. This movie makes him look like just any other rockstar that's losing grip on his fans. Never the truth with Elvis He also used a lot of discretion on who he was vulnerable with. Elvis was a family man and this movie makes him look like a burn out. Elvis was never a burn out. He was going strong and selling out everything till the day he died.

The rest of the movie was pretty good. Probably where they found the character for Yellowstone. And thank God for that show.

A boy whose childhood abuse drove him mad meets a girl from the suburbs bored with her life. He talks about killing Elvis, she is in love, so off to LA they go.

[Amari-Sali · 6/10 · 12 November 2016]

Trigger Warning(s): Gun Violence

Review (with Spoilers)

As likely said before, being an Emily Browning fan is difficult. For with every God Help The Girl or even Legend pretty much comes the rest of her filmography. Yet this vulnerability in her eyes, the desire to trust in her voice, it makes it so you can't help but hope for a happy ending. Well, alongside a movie which is actually worth watching of course. So, with that said, let's see if the long dormant Shangri-La Suite or Kill the King should have stayed on someone hard drive to collect dust or is something you must see. Shall we?

Characters & Story

Karen (Emily Browning)

Poor Karen, probably barely 18, if that, is bored with life. She grew up in the suburbs to well-off parents, and in the pursuit of excitement she ended up forced by her parents into rehab. There she meets Jack – this wild man. Though, as she eventually learns, while he does bring the excitement she has long craved, he may just be a bit too much for her.

Jack (Luke Grimes)

Being raised by a single father who blames you for your mom not being around, well it is tough. Add on said father is dealing with the oppression of native Americans and is abusive, well that would drive anyone crazy. Hence why Jack gets regular shock treatment and is in a rehab center. However, he doesn't plan to be there forever for his mom spoke to him from beyond the grave and told him to kill Elvis (Ron Livingston). Something he plans on doing.

Teijo (Avan Jogia)

Jack's only friend is an odd young man. Not just because he is queer, possibly trans, but because there is just something about him which comes off so peculiar. Hence why, even when it comes to crazy Jack, there is a certain amount of understanding. Thus why they are friends. But the reason Teijo is part of this story is he wants to escape to LA with Jack and Karen. Even if that means riding in a car with those two crazy kids.

Highlights

Teijo Is Comical

The sole reason Teijo is mentioned is not because I'm a fan of Avan Jogia. The main reason he is mentioned is because listening to Jogia do an effeminate voice and sort of strut that way is a sight to see and hear.

Criticism

It's Not Funny, It's Not Heart wrenching, It Is Just Violence and Elvis Music

I do my best to approach each movie without thinking it has to be a potential Oscar winner or any such standard. Yet, at the same time, it has to bring some sort of feeling out. Be it having comical moments which makes it an enjoyable experience, perhaps even being touching if not making you cry a bit. This has none of that. Well, Jogia is comical but only because he is playing Teijo in the most stereotypical way so it is offensive funny. However, we don't really get to understand what it is like to be queer in the 70s, much less trans, queer and an indigenous American. The same issue goes for Karen. For while Browning in this article speaks on being done playing "the hot babe that doesn't say anything, that can't have an opinion" here she is once again. We are told little anecdotes like she came from a nice family and her parents stuck her in the rehab where she met Jack, but that's it. From there she is the person who rolls around in bed with him, has some moments of questioning Jack not really taken seriously, and honestly, the film makes you wonder is the problem Hollywood doesn't take her seriously or her picking roles like this to keep the bills paid the problem?

As for Jack? His background dealing with his mom dying and abusive dad could have given this film some sort of grounding, but with it having an American Horror Story type of vibe, that is done away with. For Grimes' performance is the bad side of campy. It isn't cute and weird, but terrible and it helps you understand why the actors and their social media accounts will probably be the main place this is marketed.

Overall: Negative (Skip It)

I think I have had this movie on my IMDb watch list since Twisted had new episodes and honestly, I fully forgot about it. Seeing it now, I wish it would have stayed forgotten. For while I'm still committed to the careers of Emily Browning and Avan Jogia, I gotta admit their presence alone can't always be the silver lining. For shallow characters and no real chance to see their comedic or dramatic skills makes it seem they are working to pay bills vs. really trying to craft a quality resume.

Not Badlands

[Prismark10 · 2/10 · 7 September 2017]

Burt Reynolds narrates this pastiche crime drama in a faux documentary fashion.

The tale of a troubled institutionalised teenage girl (Emily Browning) who meets a deranged, part Indian Jack (Luke Grimes) in a rehab centre and go on a killing spree in 1974 which would culminate in them going to Los Angeles to kill Elvis Presley (Ron Livingston) who himself is driven to doubts as he prepares for his upcoming concerts.

The film seems to retread Terrence Malick's Badlands but is not as involving, nor is it nihilistic or darkly comical as Oliver Stone's Natural Born Killers. With the appearance of Elvis, it also reminds you of True Romance. All three are far superior films.

Despite its derivative origins, director Eddie O'Keefe has nothing new to add, apart from delivering a nasty brutal and idiotic film.

Bonnie and Clyde in 70s Dreamland

[angelprincessxo · 7/10 · 27 November 2021]

A privileged sad girl, Karen, and a troubled bad boy, Jack, fall in love in a mental health facility in1974. Together they run away to California leaving a trail of dead bodies behind them, with an ultimate goal of killing Elvis Presley.

The film attempts to create a surreal atmosphere as the couple drives through the roadside motels with neon lights in the desert and Elvis struggles with substance abuse and his dying career in a psychedelic haze. The voice-over narration makes the film feel a bit like a fairy tail.

The main characters Karen and Jack fall easily into the stereotype of Bonnie and Clyde without adding much new substance to it. Jack's best friend Teijo joins the couple on their journey, with dreams of moving to California to begin her transition into a woman but is killed off, letting her character fall flat without having enough time to develop.

The film feels like a runaway fantasy with a hint of surrealism which is entertaining and visually pleasant to watch. It may not make you think about the big questions in life and ponder the meaning of existence but it lets you escape into a 1970s dreamland for an hour and a half.

Awesome Movie with intriguing characters

[shimura_123 · 9/10 · 9 January 2018]

The movie is a story about two lovers on a quest to kill Elvis.

The story is interesting and the supporting characters are more interesting than the leads especially Teijo Littlefoot.

Worth the watch.