Here's a bit of Elvis Presley trivia that might surprise some: The King was a twin. His brother was stillborn and Presley, by some accounts, was haunted and fascinated by this twist of fate. He always wondered what his life would have been like had his brother survived.
Howard Klausner, the screenwriter behind "The Identical," apparently wondered the same thing. In the movie, a famous singer grows up believing his twin died at birth, only he didn't. In this story, though, the singer is named Drexel Hemsley, which is good, because the last thing we need is more Elvis conspiracy theories. But the resemblance is clear: the voice, the hips, the slight curl of the lip. And who better to play Drexel and his long-lost twin, Ryan Wade, than the winner of an Elvis impersonator contest?
"The Identical" is really about Ryan. The story begins in the 1930s in black and white, as the impoverished Hemsleys realize they can barely take care of one child, let alone two. Like a sign from God, William Hemsley (Brian Geraghty) figures out a solution when he happens upon a tent revival where a preacher is lamenting that he and his wife cannot conceive. So the Hemsleys hand off one son to Reece (Ray Liotta) and Louise Wade (Ashley Judd) and make the couple promise to keep the secret until Williams and his wife have died.
Reece steers Ryan toward a future as a preacher, just like dad, but the boy's passion for music is immediately apparent. Instead of reciting hymns at church, he belts them out with a hint of gospel music; he sneaks around to honky-tonks even though his dad forbids it; and when Ryan joins the Army, he brings his guitar along and serenades his platoon.
Not long after he returns home, he hears Drexel on the radio, and Ryan is smitten with the sound, tormenting his parents by playing the record over and over. Meanwhile, the growing hordes of Drexel Hemsley fans can't believe the uncanny resemblance between Ryan and the singer. That likeness actually helps Ryan realize his dream of singing professionally. he becomes a drexel Hemsley impersonator, traveling the country playing all the hits to adoring fans.
The movie is the feature debut for director Dustin Marcellino, and it follows a formulaic route, charting the ups and downs of fame and fortune. Even if Ryan is a mere impersonator, he's still a very succesful one, and his rise leads to even more trite moments, including a greedy manager who throws dollar bills in the air and says things like "I made you, Ryan Wade, and don't you forget it." And Ryan's performance during a pivotal contest culminates in Drexel himself leading a slow-clap standing ovation.
While Rayne doesn't rise to the challenge of pulling off some very emotional scenes, some of the other performances are quite good. Judd is hardly doing heavy lifting here, but her portrayal of a loving mom is heartfelt and sweet, and it's nice to see Liotta softening up a bit instead of doing one of his go-to mobster roles. Joe Pantoliano most seamlessly inhabits his part while offering a lot of comic relief as an auto mechanic who hires Ryan after the boy drops out of divinty school.
The music is catchy and sounds sufficiently Elvis-like, and "The Identical" occupies a neglected niche as a family-friendly movie that isn't geared just toward kids. But living up to a legend is an uphill battle, and the movie doesn't ever reach those heights.
But before we get to the main feature, let's enjoy...
The Pre-Show:
Today's main feature deals with an artist impersonating another, making a living out of his passion. Since Elvis left us in 1977, each year Elvis impersonators spring out of the blue. Many in the tacky department, which really doesn't help spread a positive view of the man himself. So today I saw fit, taking into account our Saturday Night At The Movies film, that I'd present that other side to the impersonators as such, the professional ones: better known as ETA: Elvis Tribute Artists. These are full time serious Elvis impersonators who are in the business of performing for a living. In that category I have a special favourite: Dean Z. In 2013 Dean won the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, the only world-wide contest recognized by Elvis Presley Enterprises, serving as an ambassador to Graceland and the estate. Dean Z received the Heart of The King Award at the former Las Vegas Hilton, on the same stage, Elvis himself performed over 700 shows. In 2017 Dean joined "The Elvis Tribute Artist World Tour" based in the United Kingdom.
Please, not to be confused. In my humble opinion, there is only one person who I consider capable of filling Elvis's shoes, and that is Elvis himself. There'll never be any other who can spread such charisma on stage or on the screen, as he did for years. Even though many of his movies were under par, there was still his smile or his looks, and especially his voice which would save the day. Having said that, I must admit I enjoyed my Saturday afternoon watching this show with my family and found myself participating actively in many songs. Now, what better way to entertain a Saturday Night At The Movies, before the main feature. However, when the show's over and one finally catches his own breath back, back in the mind there is the lingering question... if only... if only that 16th of August of 1977 things would have turned out for the better and not for the worse. How much more would we have enjoyed, or less selfishly expressed, how much more of a fulfilling life would Elvis have enjoyed.
What comes up next has to do with a renowned country artist Wynonna Judd and her particular interpretation of Burning Love. Once you see Dean Z's performance you'll understand her inclusion here. Plus, let's not forget, the female star in our main feature is Ashley Judd. This is a small world, indeed.
Last but not least our on-going Sun Records series, this week Chapter 4. More adventures coming from Memphis' own Recording Studio, with Sam Phillips at the helm.
The Main Feature:
Title: The Identical
Director: Dustin Marcellino
Cast: Blake Rayne / Ray Liotta / Ashley Judd / Joe Pantoliano / Seth Green
Release Date: September 5th 2014
Country: United States
On Your Way Out:
I suppose you're still dancing down the aisle on your way out of the cinema. Well don't forget to pick up your "small token" as a physical memory of today's, hopefully entertaining session. Remember to drive home safely and catch you next week for another opportunity to experience the musical film genre.
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