Priscilla: Movie Review

Cast: Cailee Spaeny, Jacob Elordi
Director: Sofia Coppola

Adapted from Priscilla Presley's own memoir Elvis and Me, Virgin Suicides director Sofia Coppola's take on the Elvis story is a stark and at times uncomfortable piece of viewing, that doesn't place Elvis in a great light.

Set against the backdrop of the start of Priscilla's young relationship with Jacob Elordi's Elvis, Priscilla feels like a series of scenes tacked together in a vague semblance of a story, rather than a constrained narrative.

Though it's ironic given the amount of control Elvis is seen exerting on Priscilla that perhaps Coppola didn't choose to deliver a stronger tied together film. Unlike Baz Luhrmann's almost-hagiographic take on the King, Coppola is more interested in portraying the seemingly uncomfortable side of Elvis as he manages pills, guns and the desire for Priscilla to stay and "keep the home fires burning". 

Spotted when she was just 14, Coppola's film pinpoints the grooming element of the relationship as Priscilla is inducted into the Elvis entourage and is swept up by jealousies of tabloid reports of relationships with other stars as well as the whirl of fame.

While parts of Priscilla are told from her point of view, the majority of the film seems to alienate her from her own storyline as she becomes suffocated in the grip of Elvis' world. Spaeny is perfectly fine as Priscilla, but is more an ethereal wisp wafting through Graceland and the related tribulations throughout, rather than driving matters.

Perhaps that's what ultimately Coppola wanted to do - create a film that's more about aesthetics and atmosphere rather than a damning portrait of the Blue Suede Shoes singer. Certainly she doesn't paint him in a good light, and Euphoria's Elordi makes a good fist of ensuring the character has the swagger and the charm as the domestically violent monster seethes underneath.

Ultimately, Priscilla may feel hollow to many; and in truth, parts of it feel largely constructed and constrained. But as the smothering of the Priscilla grows throughout, there's a feeling of discomfort and unhappiness that's hard to shake.

An abrupt end doesn't help matters and the feeling of catharsis is slight, but Priscilla is less interested in conforming to expectations and equally less interested in flattering all of its key subjects.