Priscilla
When teenage Priscilla Beaulieu meets Elvis Presley at a party, the man who is already a meteoric rock-and-roll superstar becomes someone entirely unexpected in private moments: a thrilling crush, an ally in loneliness, a vulnerable best friend.
- Released:
- Runtime: 110 minutes
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Stars: Cailee Spaeny, Jacob Elordi, Dan Abramovici, Jorja Cadence, Tim Post, Luke Humphrey, Ari Cohen, Josette Halpert, Deanna Jarvis, Tim Dowler-Coltman, R Austin Ball, Dagmara Domińczyk, Kamilla Kowal, Conni Miu, Gwynne Phillips, Kelaiah Guiel, Stephanie Moran
- Director: Sofia Coppola
Comments
- owenjmiddleton - 18 June 2024
Priscilhuh
I gave this film a five because Jacob Elordi did a really good job as elvis the problem being that he's only a supporting actor he and ari cohen priscillas father should not have been more interesting than Priscilla herself Priscilla played by cailee spaeny Priscilla being at best meh truly I was not impressed with this film at all which is sad Priscilla was historically an interesting figure and this film was based on her auto biography which is a good book if you haven't had a chance to read it yet you should definitely do so however if you haven't had a chance to watch this movie I suggest you don't 2022 elvis was great 2023 Priscilla however was not. - glenaobrien - 17 May 2024
Compelling portrait of liberation from coercive control
Sofia Coppola's latest film is based on Priscilla Presley's 1985 memoir 'Elvis and Me' and is a meticulously filmed and compelling portrait of a woman trapped in the artificial world of a Peter Pan-like figure who never grew up.
24 year old Elvis began dating 14 year old Priscilla Beaulieu while stationed in West Germany in military service. There's definitely a pedophile vibe to what's going on. At the same time, Elvis is respectful of her in a 'purity culture' kind of way, protecting her virginity but entirely on his own terms. He treats her like a doll, totally controlling every move she makes right down to her clothing choices. Even when she comes of age, their sexual relationships allows her no agency of her own but she must respond entirely on terms that he sets. It's almost as though Elvis is gay or asexual, though we discover that's not the case, as he has affairs with other older women such as Ann-Margret. But Priscilla must remain his inviolate virgin set on a pedestal like a prized item in a personal collection.
Elvis comes across as a belligerent and spoiled man child, which is perhaps understandable given his meteoric rise to fame at such a young age and the artificiality of the world created for him (which is not to say his conduct is excusable). The level of gaslighting is on a whole other level. All the while Elvis's Memphis Mafia buddies are in the background supporting every misogynistic move. The Presley family also keeps a very tight rein over Priscilla, aware that her parents are naturally concerned for safety. The fact that Priscilla Presley eventually left Elvis and carved out a career for herself as an actress and business woman is a testament to her incredible resilience.
The performances of the leads are excellent. Cailee Spaeny is Priscilla and perfectly inhabits her frailty, vulnerability, shattered innocence and eventual self-determination. Aussie actor Jacob Elordi (from Emerald Fennel's 2023 film Saltburn) is Elvis. While he doesn't have quite the same physical likeness to Elvis as Austin Butler in Baz Luhrmann's film, Elvis (2022) his voice work is perfect and he captures Elvis's mannerisms very well. The musical choices are inspired. There's no Elvis music but early sixties music sits alongside songs by The Ramones and Joan Jett in an inspired anachronism that is perfectly fitting.
Sofia Coppola is a very gifted filmmaker and it's hard to imagine anyone else telling Priscilla Presley's story with quite so much empathy and grace. The real life Priscilla's genuine love for Elvis was always clear, even when she had to put a stop to what was a destructive and toxic relationship. Affection does not have to submit to abuse and Priscilla Presley's story is one of survival and self-determination that is here given a moving cinematic tribute.
