''Eddie Presley'' is a 1992

dramedy Comedy drama, also known by the portmanteau ''dramedy'', is a genre of dramatic works that combines elements of comedy and drama. The modern, scripted-television examples tend to have more humorous bits than simple comic relief seen in a typical ...

film directed by

Jeff Burr Jeff Burr (July 18, 1963) is an American film director, writer, and producer best known for his work in horror sequels, such as '' Stepfather II'', '' The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III'', '' Puppet Master 4'' and '' 5'', and '' Pumpkinhead II''. ...

and featuring

Duane Whitaker Nathan Duane Whitaker Jr. (born June 23, 1959) is an American character actor. Early life Whitaker was born in Abilene, Texas, the oldest child of Nathan Duane Whitaker Sr. and Barbara Ella Hudson, a nurse. He has two younger sisters, both bor ...

in the title role.The New York Times
/ref> It is based on a

one man show A solo performance, sometimes referred to as a one-man show or one-woman show, features a single person telling a story for an audience, typically for the purpose of entertainment. This type of performance comes in many varieties, including auto ...

Whitaker had written and performed in

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world ...

. Whitaker plays Eddie Presley, a former successful owner of a chain of pizza restaurants who, against the wishes of his father (

Joe Estevez Joseph Estévez (born February 13, 1946) is an American actor and director. He is the younger brother of actor Martin Sheen and the uncle of Emilio Estevez, Charlie Sheen, Renée Estevez, and Ramon Estevez. Life and career Early life Estevez ...

) and mother (Whitaker's real-life mother Barbara), decides to sell his business in the pursuit of living his dream of becoming an

Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), or simply Elvis, was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the " King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. His ener ...

impersonator An impersonator is someone who imitates or copies the behavior or actions of another. There are many reasons for impersonating someone: *Entertainment: An entertainer impersonates a celebrity, generally for entertainment, and makes fun of ...

, going so far as to legally change his last name to "Presley". After several years, he's living in his van and desperate for work. After his boss ( Lawrence Tierney) fires Presley from his night security job for sleeping (with the Polaroids to back it up), he finally lands a gig in a seedy Hollywood bar (managed by Roscoe Lee Brown). After a technical malfunction, he proceeds to bare his soul to the audience in an improvisational

, where he admits to spending time in a

psychiatric hospital Psychiatric hospitals, also known as mental health hospitals, behavioral health hospitals, are hospitals or wards specializing in the treatment of severe mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, dissociat ...

after suffering a

mental breakdown A mental disorder, also referred to as a mental illness or psychiatric disorder, is a behavioral or mental pattern that causes significant distress or impairment of personal functioning. Such features may be persistent, relapsing and remitt ...

(

Bruce Campbell Bruce Lorne Campbell (born June 22, 1958) is an American actor and director. He is known for portraying Ash Williams in Sam Raimi's ''Evil Dead'' franchise, beginning with the 1978 short film ''Within the Woods''. He has starred in many low-b ...

and

Quentin Tarantino Quentin Jerome Tarantino (; born March 27, 1963) is an American film director, writer, producer, and actor. His films are characterized by stylized violence, extended dialogue, profanity, dark humor, non-linear storylines, cameos, ensembl ...

make cameos as orderlies at the hospital). Meanwhile, in his personal life, Presley has to deal with a cheating girlfriend who ends up working in

pornography Pornography (often shortened to porn or porno) is the portrayal of sexual subject matter for the exclusive purpose of sexual arousal. Primarily intended for adults,

, while remaining oblivious to a co-worker who truly loves him.

Home media

Tempe Video released a two-disc special edition of ''Eddie Presley'' in 2004, including a director's cut, commentary with director Burr, cast and crew, and many short subjects about the film, including a tribute to the late Lawrence Tierney.

References

External links

* * 1992 films 1992 comedy-drama films Films directed by Jeff Burr Films scored by Jimmy Manzie American comedy-drama films 1990s English-language films 1990s American films {{1990s-comedy-drama-film-stub