Finding Graceland

Jonathon Schaech stars as Byron, a recent widower on a long road trip back home to Memphis, haunted by memories of his wife's death. When Byron picks up an eccentric hitcher (Harvey Keitel), who insists that he's Elvis You-Know-Who, the latter manages to convince the former to give him a lift to his own home (i.e., Graceland). Along the way the two strike up an unlikely friendship on a trek that takes them through Las Vegas, where they meet Ashley (Bridget Fonda), a Marilyn Monroe impersonator who works the casino circuit. The three then find love, hope, romance and closure on the trip back to Graceland. Finding Graceland is one of those films you want so much to throw your arms around--it's original, reasonably uplifting, well-crafted, and it has the very best of intentions. Unfortunately, while it's always a pleasure to see Keitel and Fonda taking on such original material, even these two can't do much with a script that's as aimless as the characters they play, and Schaech's sparkless turn as Byron makes their task even more difficult. The film's high points--which aren't terribly high--find Fonda cooing a Marilyn classic in her Vegas stage act, and Keitel countering with a fairly impressive King medley. While there are many charming moments to be had on this road trip, there are plenty of long stretches of dry pavement as well. Optional. (S. C. Sickles)