Protecting the King

By: Lovey

Director: D. Edward Stanley
Cast: Matt Barr, Peter Dobson, Tom Sizemore, Brian Krause, Mark Rolston, Max Perlich and Dannielle Keaton.
Rating: 2 out of 5
 
I thought by now that every story involving The King of rock and roll would have been told, but Protecting the King shows one side of the music legends life I'd never seen before.
 
Introduce... the Kings stepbrother and bodyguard David Stanly, played by Matt Barr (who's been on TV shows like ER, One Tree Hill, CSI and The OC).
 
The film doesn't involve a taste of the Kings musical talents, but a look at the dark side of his demise, through the eyes of David, on tour with him from 1972 to his death in 1977.
 
Based on his real life recollections, David also directed and narrated the film.
 
The story goes like this; a 16 year old David is thrust into the world of rock stars, drugs and of course chicks. A world which quickly turns violent and destructive, not only for Elvis (Peter Dobson), but for young David too.
 
Where told how the King not only ruined his own life, but the life of those around him, and how his death ultimately gave them freedom from the destruction. While it does showcase the darker side of Elvis’ life, at the same time it does not dump on him too much - in a hope, I'd say, not to up set his family or hoards of fans.
 
The film is fast passed but it is somewhat repetitive, with one trashed hotel room or fight scene after another. To be honest, I would have liked it to go into more detail, rather than skirting around the major issues of Elvis’ life.
 
Filled with a cast of B-list actors, I wasn't expecting much, so was not disappointed when they didn't deliver.
 
No doubt it will attract those die-hard Elvis fans, and guys who just cant resist a movie with sex, drugs, and alcohol.
 
In a word: lacking