The 2022 film Elvis gave audiences a closer look into the man behind the music, but of course, the music was a huge part of the attraction, as well. The King of Rock and Roll has tons of his greatest hits spotlighted, all brought to life like never before through the presence of actor Austin Butler. One of those songs is the timelessly beautiful "Can't Help Falling in Love," though it's not used how most would expect.
The tune is easily one of Elvis' most popular, having appeared in countless movies and TV shows that have nothing to do with the musical icon. Thus, its use as a rather tragic storytelling device is incredibly artistic on the part of director Baz Luhrmann, making what could easily be trite into something beautifully heartbreaking. With the movie now available to watch on HBO Max, here's how Elvis didn't foolishly rush in with the King's crooning.
Baz Luhrmann's Elvis Uses 'Can't Help Falling in Love' to Elicit Tragic Love
The first time that the notes of "Can't Help Falling in Love" appear in Elvis, it's in a somewhat expected fashion. Said fashion is Elvis first being romantic with Priscilla, his future wife. This, of course, seems to fall in line with the song's romantic nature and its use elsewhere, but it's actually merely sewing the seeds for heartbreak down the line. The second use of the tune is when Elvis plays a show in Las Vegas. There, it takes on a much less uplifting nature, with Priscilla, who's now married to Elvis, noticing how he reacts to the crowd. She realizes that she will never be as loved by him as his fans were, with the song being as much of a love ballad between Elvis and the crowd as it is a tragic reminder of Priscilla's reality.
The final use of "Can't Help Falling in Love" seals this doomed relationship, as it's used in the scene where Elvis and Priscilla say their final on-screen goodbyes following their marriage ending. Elvis worries about not being remembered by the world at large, whereas Priscilla simply wants him to get help and treatment for his detrimental drug addiction. As the two part ways once and for all, the song plays in a depressingly minor key, showcasing the limits of love.
Elvis's Best Song Is Used in the Opposite Way in Elvis (2022)
As mentioned, many movies and TV shows use "Can't Help Falling in Love" as it's meant to be used: as a love ballad. After all, the song is supposed to represent the singer's undying, eternal affection for his beloved, making it perfect for wedding scenes in media and real life. One particularly popular use in a modern movie was, surprisingly, The Conjuring 2. This horror movie was based on real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, a married couple whose relationship becomes an increasingly pivotal part of the film series.
In the second movie, Ed sings the song to a group of people, including his wife, Lorraine. Though it's initially seen almost comically, Ed's singing and looking toward his wife helps to make for a sweet scene in a terrifying movie. Strangely enough, the Elvis movie would only use it in such a manner once before dovetailing into a horror story all its own. While the love shared between Ed and Lorraine may have been enough to weather the wiles of demons and ghosts, it ultimately wasn't enough to save Elvis and Priscilla's marriage. This again shows the reality behind the pop songs, illustrating the heartache in the life of the man who sang them.
At the same time, the song is once again indicative of Elvis' love of his fans and their adoration. The third time that it plays, he's worried that he might not be remembered. This concern would, of course, be incredibly baseless, as the King of Rock and Roll had already amassed a legion of fans around that world by that point. Now, he's immortalized and idolized more than ever in musical covers, books and, of course, movies, so Elvis' fans still can't help falling in love with him and his songs.
Elvis is now streaming on HBO Max.