Heartbreak Hotel (1988)

Overrated and overhyped

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

It's a movie as timely as it is provocative and amazingly, for much of its running time, it is weirdly funny.

Even if David Keith wasn't the real Elvis, he had the voice, the moves and the super outfits. It would be great if the real Elvis was still alive by the time this movie was made, I can imagine it would be a box office hit! Charlie Schlatter looking always cute, I was disappointed to see that he didn't wear a biker leather jacket, a white t-shirt and jeans when Elvis got use to him. Heck, it would make sense that he would want to be Elvis Presley all along! By the way, his character could become the next Elvis, he such a talented singer too! I was so sad at the end, I would have expected Elvis to bring the mother and the kids with him. He was such a great father figure model for both Johnny and Pam. I honestly wish the storyline did have to end well then realising it didn't. Anyways forget about it, I thought this movie was rather enjoyable and thank god, Elvis Presley's legacy lives on. RIP the king of Rock n Roll <3

This movie is much better than people seem to think. It's not just fun family entertainment, it really shows Elvis trying to come to terms with what went right and wrong with his life. It goes from a spooky, spiritual opening, where Elvis acknowledges his own mortality in song ("So hush little baby, don't you cry/You know your daddy's bound to die")to a rousing "If I Can Dream" finale. The idea is that Elvis gets everything right here that he got so tragically wrong in real time. He is the perfect father, husband, and artist, and he stands up for what we believe in, instead of just wasting himself. Touching and inspiring film. What keeps the movie from going soft is the fact that the young rock and roller played by Charlie Schlatter (whatever happened to him?) is initially quite contemptuous of Elvis and his Las Vegas style lounge act. The kid chews Elvis out in a very memorable scene that really represents the feelings of millions of young 70's teens about the way Elvis went soft. The fact that Elvis listens and learns is extremely inspiring, but again, the film stays honest. At the end he tells the family, "I've found something here, and I'm afraid if I leave it will slip away again."Sadly, it did.

I just saw this movie. I was surfing on cable and I came across it. At first I thought it would be rubbish but then it caught me. At the end of the movie I found that I was in a much better mood than when I started. It was not the world's best film but I really enjoyed it. It is excellent light entertainment for Elvis fans. My advice is see it.....dont take it too seriously and dont expect too much and you will thoroughly enjoy it. I guarantee you will be singing along. Now, I'm off to listen to some old Elvis songs!

If you're an Elvis purist, stay away. This film takes great liberties with the life of the King and David Keith really doesn't look like him, either. Never mind, because Heartbreak Hotel is such a sweet (and manipulative!) picture that you'll be reaching for your hanky by the end. It's the Elvis film that truly raises him to an iconic level, and I can well imagine the Church of Elvis incorporating this into their video Bible a hundred years from now. The films of Elvis himself will be the Old Testament, and Heartbreak Hotel will be one of the Gospels. For now, grab a box of kleenex, settle into your easy chair and enjoy the re-creation of the restaurant scene from Loving You that is one of the highlights of this most enjoyable bit of fluff.