Flirty Fun in Vegas
If you haven’t figured it out yet, I look to entertainment mostly for an escape. I want have fun. Yes, I do enjoy some more serious books and movies, but it’s always a pleasure to find something that is just looking to be light entertainment. That’s exactly what Viva Las Vegas is trying to be, and it succeeds in spades.
The movie tells the story of race car driver Lucky Jackson (Elvis Presley). He’s planning to enter a race leaving from Las Vegas, and he’s there earning the money to buy an engine to go into his new car. His chief competitor, Count Elmo Mancini (Cesare Danova) is there as well, and the two are talking when they meet Rusty Martin (Ann-Margret). Rusty gets them to help with her car, but then vanishes before either man can get so much as her name. The two set out to find her, but by the time they do, Lucky’s money is gone. Forced to take a job as a waiter doesn’t prove to be too bad because it gives him time to woo Rusty. Or will Elmo win her heart instead? Will Lucky have an engine for his car in time for the big race?
Let’s be honest, you can probably guess at least some of what happens along the way just based on my teaser. This isn’t a terribly original movie if you are familiar with romantic comedies. But you know what? That’s okay. This is a fun movie with character you want to root for. Yes, even Elmo. Oh, you don’t want to root for him to win a race or win the girl, but he is still a likable foil and not a true villain.
It also helps that Elvis and Ann-Margret have chemistry. The film sizzles when they are on screen together. Again, you are rooting for the two of them to get together. As is often the case with a romantic comedy, the film brushes a few issues under the rug in the rush to the ending, but that’s okay. What is here works.
And part of that is the acting. The entire cast is obviously having fun together, and it pulls us into the story they are telling.
With Elvis and Ann-Margret as the leads, I’m sure it’s no surprise that this is a musical. In addition to the famous title track, we get a variety of songs throughout. There are no true show stoppers with tons of choreography, but that’s okay because the songs are fun. There are a few done as part of shows, but there are also songs that the characters sing in “real life.” As much as I do find the title track fun, my favorite song by far was “The Lady Loves Me.” It is such fun, you can’t help but laugh as Lucky and Rusty sing back and forth to each other.
This movie came out in 1964, and it is a throwback to a simpler, more innocent time. There is very little if any innuendo (I can’t remember any off hand). The romance is extremely chaste. And yet, we are rooting for the characters and having a great time. It’s also the time when someone can be in the pool in one shot and have perfectly styled hair and basically dry clothes in the next, which takes place thirty seconds later. That may be unintentional humor, but it is still fun none-the-less.
I completely enjoyed watching Viva Las Vegas because it has lost none of its charm. Next time you are in the mood for a light romantic comedy, I definitely recommend you track this one down.
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