Elvis's meteoric rise to fame in the 1950s is recounted by the women he was dating at the time, describing how they often competed for his affections. Their stories recount a rags to riches scenario of a boy whose one true love was his mother, Gladys. Elvis's sudden fame is marred by the army draft and the sudden death of his mother, resulting in Elvis spiraling out of control, while feeding a void through promiscuity and the beginning of a drug addiction.

After serving two years in the army where Elvis meets fourteen year old Priscilla Beaulieu, he secretly moves her into Graceland while embarking on a disastrous film career and inappropriate love affairs before finding love with co-star Ann-Margret. However, a forced and ill-fated marriage along with bad management, leaves Elvis desperate and unhappy, with growing addiction problems.

The 1970s see Elvis return to the stage with a vengeance, experiencing a career renaissance. Back on top, he divorces Priscilla and seeks true love in an effort to offset his enduring loneliness, and fight his demons which includes the company of underage women. The self-destructive American icon eventually loses those closest to him, and his battle to survive.