Viewers are calling 'Tom Hanks in a fat suit' the worst part of new 'Elvis' movie

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By stefan armitage

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Viewers are blasting Tom Hanks' latest performance in the Elvis Presley biopic.

Elvis was released in movie theaters earlier this month, director by Baz Luhrmann at the helm and 30-year-old Austin Butler at the titular music legend.

Alongside Butler is Tom Hanks, 65, who plays Presley's famed manager, Colonel Tom Parker.

And although Hanks has forged a career with outstanding performances in the likes of Forrest Gump, Philadelphia, Toy Story, and Captain Phillips, viewers have branded his performance in Elvis at the "worst part" of the movie - with many unable to look past the use of a fat suit in order to achieve Parker's larger frame.

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Credit: Album / Alamy

The movie hasn't been out even a week, but that hasn't stopped unimpressed movie theater-goers from taking to social media to voice their opinions on Hanks' performance.

"Tom Hanks was the worst part of the Elvis movie. The music and Austin Butler were [fire]," one Twitter user wrote.

A second agreed, writing: "All over the place, but really well made. Tom Hanks was easily the worst part but Austin Butler’s performance is incredible. 7.8/10 #Elvis."

"Really cannot overstate how bad Tom Hanks is in ELVIS," tweeted a third. "Arguably one of his worst ever performances. Felt closer to Fat Bastard from Austin Powers than anything non-fictional, or even human.

"Worst part? Despite being the objective villain, he never felt threatening at all."

And much like the recent backlash aimed at Emma Thompson for her role as Miss Trunchbull in Netflix's adaptation of the Matilda musical, Hanks also faced criticism for wearing a fat suit for the role of Parker.

"Tom Hanks is wearing a fat suit in the movie 'Elvis'. Can we agree that fat suits are offensive, absurd and have no place in dramas? Hire Fat actors," one person tweeted.

Another agreed, tweeting: "Between the insulting fat suit (because apparently there are no fat actors on the planet) and his pathetic and laughable performance, Tom Hanks should take a break from acting. #elvis."

"Elvis movie was good with the notable exception of Tom Hanks in a fat suit and facial prosthetics. He was AWFUL," wrote another Twitter user.

A fourth added: "i know it's a little early for award predictions but i bet you tom hanks will win a razzie for his work as "tom hanks in a fat suit" in #Elvis [sic]"

Other Twitter users also went as far as to describe Hanks' accent in the movie and "horrific" and "terrible".

"Basically he looks like Fat Bastard and sounds like Goldmember," wrote one viewer.

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Credit: Alexi / Alamy

Speaking to Variety, Col. Parker biographer Alanna Nash was asked if Hanks' accent was accurate to the real man, two which she replied: "No. It was more American, more rural. And he had what sounded like a slight lisp or speech impediment.

"Turns out he didn’t have an impediment — he was just trying to wrap a Dutch tongue around the English language, Southern-style."

Featured image credit: TCD/Prod.DB / Alamy

Viewers are calling 'Tom Hanks in a fat suit' the worst part of new 'Elvis' movie

vt-author-image

By stefan armitage

Article saved!Article saved!

Viewers are blasting Tom Hanks' latest performance in the Elvis Presley biopic.

Elvis was released in movie theaters earlier this month, director by Baz Luhrmann at the helm and 30-year-old Austin Butler at the titular music legend.

Alongside Butler is Tom Hanks, 65, who plays Presley's famed manager, Colonel Tom Parker.

And although Hanks has forged a career with outstanding performances in the likes of Forrest Gump, Philadelphia, Toy Story, and Captain Phillips, viewers have branded his performance in Elvis at the "worst part" of the movie - with many unable to look past the use of a fat suit in order to achieve Parker's larger frame.

size-full wp-image-1263160004
Credit: Album / Alamy

The movie hasn't been out even a week, but that hasn't stopped unimpressed movie theater-goers from taking to social media to voice their opinions on Hanks' performance.

"Tom Hanks was the worst part of the Elvis movie. The music and Austin Butler were [fire]," one Twitter user wrote.

A second agreed, writing: "All over the place, but really well made. Tom Hanks was easily the worst part but Austin Butler’s performance is incredible. 7.8/10 #Elvis."

"Really cannot overstate how bad Tom Hanks is in ELVIS," tweeted a third. "Arguably one of his worst ever performances. Felt closer to Fat Bastard from Austin Powers than anything non-fictional, or even human.

"Worst part? Despite being the objective villain, he never felt threatening at all."

And much like the recent backlash aimed at Emma Thompson for her role as Miss Trunchbull in Netflix's adaptation of the Matilda musical, Hanks also faced criticism for wearing a fat suit for the role of Parker.

"Tom Hanks is wearing a fat suit in the movie 'Elvis'. Can we agree that fat suits are offensive, absurd and have no place in dramas? Hire Fat actors," one person tweeted.

Another agreed, tweeting: "Between the insulting fat suit (because apparently there are no fat actors on the planet) and his pathetic and laughable performance, Tom Hanks should take a break from acting. #elvis."

"Elvis movie was good with the notable exception of Tom Hanks in a fat suit and facial prosthetics. He was AWFUL," wrote another Twitter user.

A fourth added: "i know it's a little early for award predictions but i bet you tom hanks will win a razzie for his work as "tom hanks in a fat suit" in #Elvis [sic]"

Other Twitter users also went as far as to describe Hanks' accent in the movie and "horrific" and "terrible".

"Basically he looks like Fat Bastard and sounds like Goldmember," wrote one viewer.

size-large wp-image-1263160005
Credit: Alexi / Alamy

Speaking to Variety, Col. Parker biographer Alanna Nash was asked if Hanks' accent was accurate to the real man, two which she replied: "No. It was more American, more rural. And he had what sounded like a slight lisp or speech impediment.

"Turns out he didn’t have an impediment — he was just trying to wrap a Dutch tongue around the English language, Southern-style."

Featured image credit: TCD/Prod.DB / Alamy