The King (film)
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| The King | |
|---|---|
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| Directed by | James Marsh |
| Produced by | Milo Addica |
| Written by | Milo Addica, James Marsh |
| Starring | Gael García Bernal William Hurt Pell James |
| Distributed by | Content International |
| Release date(s) | May 5, 2005 |
| Running time | 105 min |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
The King is a 2005 co-produced UK and American drama about a troubled man, recently discharged from the Navy, who goes to Corpus Christi, Texas, in search of the father he's never met.
The film is deeply rooted in a Southern Gothic style and features themes similar to those in Greek Tragedy. It was written by its British director James Marsh and also by Milo Addica, the Academy Award nominated writer of Monster's Ball and Birth. It stars Gael García Bernal who received strong critical acclaim for his portrayal of Elvis, it also stars William Hurt and Pell James.
Tagline: The Devil made me do it.
[edit] Synopsis
Elvis, a US Navy enlisted man, has recently been discharged, and after visiting a prostitute he returns to his “home” in Corpus Christi, Texas. Elvis goes to visit his father, Pastor David Sandow who had had relations with Elvis’s mother Yolanda many years before and subsequently gave birth to Elvis. Presumably, Pastor Sandow did not know of Elvis’s existence and he immediately rejects Elvis saying that he has a new family. Sandow has his own church and is a popular member of the community.
Elvis soon begins to exact a slow-burning revenge on his father. He starts to seduce his half sister Malerie (who doesn’t know that he is her brother). Their affair soon becomes sexual and graphic and the lovers have sex at any opportunity. One night Elvis sneaks into Malerie’s house when her parents are asleep, and after having sex he is spotted leaving by his half-brother Paul. Paul follows Elvis back to his motel and interrogates him about his affair with his sister. When Paul threatens to tell his father if Elvis sees Malerie again, Elvis stabs Paul in the stomach, killing him.
Elvis gets rid of the body and returns Paul’s car to his house. The next day the police are called to investigate Paul’s disappearance and the family becomes distraught. Meanwhile, Elvis continues his affair with Malerie and she soon becomes pregnant. Elvis takes Malerie to the lake where he dumped Paul’s body and Malerie forgives him, saying simply, “I understand.”
After seeing Elvis one day at traffic lights, Pastor Sandow follows Elvis and takes him for a ride to his archery ground and shows Elvis how to do it. Sandow soon begins to like Elvis and invites him to dinner. Elvis explains his arrival at dinner to Malerie as acceptance to her father’s church. After a while Elvis moves into their house, taking Paul’s bedroom, however Paul’s mother tells him that her son will return and when he does Elvis will have to leave. However, Elvis soon grows on her.
The film’s climax comes when one Sunday Pastor Sandow confesses to his congregation about his child out of wedlock, Elvis. Malerie is absolutely stunned and repulsed and all she can do is stare at Elvis. The following scene sees them at a burger joint where Elvis puts on a crown and Malerie says to him, “We’re going to hell.” Elvis attempts to get into Malerie’s room that night but the door is locked. The next day Malerie sits in the shower and runs out to her mother crying, her mother looks up at Elvis scornfully suggesting that she knows something.
A long camera shot shows Elvis putting the dead bodies of Malerie and her mother (who he presumably killed with the rifle as they both have wounds in their chests, and the rifle jacket is seen open with shells laying on it) on their bed and burning down the family home. Elvis drives off and arrives at Pastor Sandow’s church, telling him, “I need to get right with God.”
[edit] Reception and criticism
The great majority of film critics were impressed with the film’s sensitive handling of subject matter. Roger Ebert gave it 3.5/4 calling it, “the kind of work where characters develop on their own, without consulting the book of clichés”.
Empire, a respected UK film magazine, called it, “A compelling, intelligent and provocative sins-of-the-father story with a terrific ensemble cast, and a standout Mr. Ripley turn by the ever-versatile Gael García Bernal.”
