Plot Details: This opinion reveals everything about the movie's plot.

The comic creations of Ben Stiller fall into one of two categories: strangely amusing and just strange. Stiller made his debut as a director with the 1988 video "Elvis Stories," which appears to have been inspired by David Byrne's quirky 1986 comedy, "True Stories." Byrne has said his movie was inspired by tabloid articles, and perhaps Stiller was, too. "Elvis Stories," unfortunately, lacks narrative cohesion. It appears that Stiller was attempting to link his tales, but he abandoned that strategy, and he created a series of vignettes that are sad, but scarcely funny. For the most part, Stiller and writing partner Jeff Kahn present a collection of people who are as sad as their stories.

The skits begin with "Corkey's Elvis Patties," Lenny (Jeremy Piven) tells the story of Corkey (John Cusack), a burger chef who makes hamburgers in the shape of Elvis Presely. People who have purchased Corkey's creations contend that the food is a channel for the voice of The King. Next comes "The Melvis Footage," where a grocery store cashier (Amy Stiller) claims her nephew (Granville Thompson) shot footage of Elvis shopping at her store. The third sequence is "Paxton Busby: The Elvisman," where the title character (Paul Greco) is a folk singer who has to perform songs about Elvis, as a court has enjoined him from looking like the singer or singing his songs. In "Elvis Lennon," a writer named Hal Moldman (Dave Pasquesi) shares his theories of how Elvis and John Lennon are the same person. "Possessed" tells the tale of a hairdresser named Bruce (Ben Stiller) who gives his companion Allen (Andy Dick) fits when Bruce suffers blackouts and believes himself to be Presley. Allen is further appalled when he meets Dr. Lundy (Bill Cusack), the therapist Bruce sees to help him with the blackouts. The final skit, "The King Of Lunken," tells the tale of two Cincinnati area golfers (Joel Murray, Ron Dean) who claim they were a part of a hole-in-one aided by Elvis (Rick "Elvis" Saucedo).

These skits share a common trait - all are funnier in print than they are on film. In "True Stories," Byrne breathed humanity and humor his characters. Stiller and Kahn wrote their characters as if they only existed in a tabloid universe. Their world is not one of curiosity as much as it is of pity. They live with their obsessions of Elvis, and seem to have no other raison d'etre. The one funny moment comes when a grocery store manager (billed only as Ed) orders Amy Stiller to go back to work and to quit making her Elvis claims. Stiller seems to have made attempts to incorporate commentary by Ed, Amy Stiller, and a British tourist (Mike Myers) throughout his sketches, but these actors are nowhere to be seen after the third skit. Saucedo introduces and concludes Ben Stiller's film, but it's not humorous, and adds little narrative cohesion.

Ben Stiller's biggest sin, though, is that he gave more speaking lines to Bill Cusack than he did to his sibling, John, who only makes loud noises as Corkey. The cast is talented, but their talents can't save this piece. Stiller's style eventually served him better in other projects, including his FOX-TV series.

"Elvis Stories" was eventually released by Rhino Home Video, who added two segments to the beginning of the presentation. The first is of a lady holding a photo of a cloud that seems to look like Elvis. The other is the "Elvis Is Everywhere" music video by Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper. Nixon and Roper capture the fun in the Elvis obsession, showing shots of The King and odd Elvis memorabilia. They jokingly proclaim Elvis is found in all people and creations, except for Michael J. Fox, who's the anti-Elvis. "Elvis Stories" is a rough directorial debut for Ben Stiller - especially when the video that includes his work proves the adage, "Truth is stranger than fiction."

This has been a entry in the Lean-N-Mean III write-off, hosted by sleeper54. For rules and entries, visit this link: http://www.epinions.com/content_4149256324

Thanks Tom.

Recommended: No

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: None of the Above
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age