It’s nothing new to see Sofia Coppola tackle a popular historical figure through film. The now 52-year-old director has had a wide career in films such as Lost In Translation, The Beguiled, and my personal favorite, Marie Antoinette. Her revisionist historical directing style, her killer adaptation of so many books, and her incredible soundtracks make an atmosphere that’s hard to replicate. Priscilla is different. Based on the book “Elvis and Me” by the real-life Priscilla Presley, tells the story of how she met Elvis and their relationship that lasted to his death. If you’re searching for an Elvis movie similar to last year’s extravagant biopic starring Austin Butler you may be out of luck. Because the Elvis depicted in Priscilla is a bit different. The film opens with a young Priscilla as a freshman in high school. Her father is in the military and is stationed with her in Germany. She is invited by a friend to Elvis’s house who is already a famous musician. This is the first time we see, Elvis fall for Priscilla. She’s only in high school and he’s in his 30s so they don’t immediately hit it off, yet the relationship they begin to form becomes unhealthy. Sofia sees this unhealthy relationship and captures it with a slow filmmaking style that emphasizes the loneliness Priscilla feels. The casting of Cailee Spaney to play Priscilla came off as strange until I saw a few stills from the film. Her performance is subtle yet transcends her as an actress into awards season, as she’s already won the Golden Lion for her performance at the Venice Film Festival. Playing Elvis is Euphoria star Jacob Elordi who brings the charm and flash of Elvis. I hope he starts getting roles of heroes because he’s filling up way too many projects as the villain. Priscilla excels at the small moments, bringing every act to a strong climax and exploring the power dynamics of the iconic couple. As I sat in the theater a dark loneliness fell upon me as the dark colors of blue and black filled the screen and the ominous lighting projected through the characters. Everything feels in its right place. I’m excited to hear the reactions to this one because it’s so polarizing. There are very few elements aside from the drama that stand out. Its beauty lies in the cinematography and set design, and sadness lies within the characters that surround the world. Priscilla takes the Elvis story back a notch showing the real heartbreaker and isolator he is. It’s a cautionary tale about celebrity relationships and the dark world celebrities live in. A must-watch for anyone looking for a good cry.
