Elvis & Anabelle (2007)

People are voting emotionally.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

This is one of those films that is so good because it is so different. I can't really think of another film that one could confuse with this one. It's unique! Let's see -- a young undertaker apprentice (so to speak), whose father is not well enough to carry on the family business, gets ready to embalm a beauty queen contestant who had a fatal heart attack...kisses her (shades of necrophilia), and she turns out not to be dead after all. They fall in love...bumpy in places...until she remembers the necrophiliac kiss...but ultimately get back together after he is disgraced in the press.The one special ingredient here is young Max Minghella, an actor who is about as charismatic as you can get! Some compare him to a young Johnny Depp, but that is more based on looks...Minghella is far more talented (whether he will become as successful as Depp is another question).Blake Lively is very good in her role, though she doesn't seem quite beautiful enough to be in a beauty contest...although the film takes place in Texas, so who knows, maybe that's as pretty as they get in Texas. Joe Mantegna is just charming in his role as Minghella's deformed father...one of his most endearing roles. Mary Steenburgen does well as the doting mother of the beauty contestant...but is just obnoxious enough that you won't like her character. Keith Carradine does well as the creepy stepfather...although it's unclear if there is something there that is almost incestuous, though it's certainly implied.The movie is quirky, but I mean that in a good way! I couldn't take my eyes of the screen. Highly recommended, though I doubt you'll want it on your DVD shelf.

a film about small things. a boy, a girl, slices of Cinderella, gray circle of parents and escape far from jail of every day. drama, humor, beautiful images, delicate feelings. and an inspired cast. for me, out of atmosphere, it is performance of Joe Mantegna. each gesture, his face, the words, the silhouette in rain, are impressive and precise. the fragile character of Elvis, the pressure - chain of Annabelle, the house, the golf play, the picture of kiss or the love scene of beach are fruits of his presence. so, it is a good film. testimony - taste after its end. and powerful flavor of basic need - to joy of life, hour by hour.

So if you are looking for a fun chic flic to pop in, this is NOT the movie for you! I went into it with this perspective and was greatly disappointed. The girl dies and the guy is her mortician. She is literally cold, dead on the embalming table and he kisses her then she comes to life?! Seriously? I should have known at this point that this movie would be lame. Then the story goes on, with some good moments, but is rather unrealistic. There are also moments of sheer nastiness as he embalms dead bodies, removes their bodily fluids, then takes photos! However, the love story that develops between the two characters, despite his profession, is charming. Then it all goes downhill as the two characters are each about to commit suicide and are stopped by the realization of their love for each other. Really? The ending is so unsatisfying. The movie could have been so much more.

It takes a certain type of personality to enjoy this movie as much as I did. Melancholic yet hopeful, with a mystical yet romantic flair, this movie can really touch your heart especially if you're open and in the mood for your heart to be touched.I recently watched Max Minghella in The Social Network and was slightly turned off by the person he portrays but his role in Elvis & Anabelle gave me a totally different (positive) vibe. Some people might find him dark and unappealing but once knowing the goodness of his intentions and the kindness of his heart it's impossible not to like him.A whole separate review can be written about Blake Lively who is quite annoying in Gossip Girl but somehow likable at the same time and just one of those actors who you can't take your eyes off of. In fact I found Elvis & Anabelle while I was looking for more titles with Lively in them.The performance of Joe Mantegna and his relationship to the other main characters in this movie are sweet and endearing. Actually I think a lot of the amazing feeling I got by the end of the movie was due to his role in it.Overall - watch it if you haven't watched it, have no great expectations, and you might be pleasantly surprised and find yourself thinking about it for days afterwords.It's one of those movies about the small things in life that give you the most meaning. It's one of those movies that make you want to live the simple life of the main characters and make you believe you will be completely satisfied with it. Worth mentioning is also the great cinematography - many beautiful scenes like fine art photographs taken by a talented photographer.Other titles that left me with a similar hopeful and warm feeling: Waitress, The Good Girl, The Family Stone, Little Miss Sunshine.