Watch The King

The King is a 2017 documentary directed by Eugene Jarecki that explores the life and legacy of the legendary musician, Elvis Presley. The film features a range of interviews with figures from across the worlds of music and politics, including James Carville, Alec Baldwin, and Chuck D, as well as a wealth of archival footage and recordings.

At its heart, The King is an examination of the ways in which Elvis Presley's story intersects with that of modern America. Through the course of the film, Jarecki takes a road trip throughout the country in Elvis's famous 1963 Rolls Royce, using the car as a symbol of Presley's rise to fame, his fall from grace, and his enduring legacy.

One of the central questions explored by the film is the extent to which Elvis was viewed as a political figure. Jarecki makes the case that Elvis's early success was in part due to the cultural revolution of the 1950s, which saw young people challenging the norms of their parents' generation. Elvis's music embodied this spirit of rebellion, and he quickly became a symbol of the counterculture.

However, as Jarecki notes, Elvis's popularity began to wane as the country entered a period of deep social and political change in the 1960s. The film explores how Presley struggled to adapt to these changing times, particularly in the wake of the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War. Jarecki also delves into the complex relationship between Elvis and his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, and suggests that Parker's focus on profit over artistry may have contributed to Presley's decline.

The King also examines the ongoing legacy of Elvis Presley in music and popular culture. The film features interviews with a range of musicians and performers, who discuss the ways in which Presley's music has influenced their own work. Jarecki also explores the phenomenon of Elvis impersonators, who continue to perform and pay tribute to the King even decades after his death.

Despite its many successes, The King is not without its flaws. Some critics have argued that the film is too sprawling and unfocused, attempting to tackle too many issues at once. Others have suggested that Jarecki's use of Elvis's car as a metaphor is heavy-handed and can distract from the story he is trying to tell.

Overall, however, The King is a thoughtful and engaging examination of one of the most influential figures in popular music history. With its mix of interviews and archival footage, the film offers a multi-faceted portrait of Elvis Presley, exploring both his cultural impact and the complex personal and political issues that shaped his life and career. For anyone interested in the history of rock and roll, or in the ways in which music intersects with broader social and cultural currents, The King is a must-see documentary.

The King is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 70.