Priscilla Review: One of Sofia Coppola’s Best!

Although Elvis has always been one of the most famous musicians of all time, he has become even more ingrained in popular culture since the release of Baz Luhrmann’s film Elvis last year. Elvis has surpassed what we thought was possible for a musician, beloved across generations from people born in the 50s and 60s to millennials growing up on Lilo and Stitch. However, the story little of us know is the story of Priscilla Presley, Elvis’s wife.

When a film adaptation of Priscilla Presley’s story was announced, it was to no surprise that Sophia Coppola was behind it, being a filmmaker with many historical and modern women at the center, including Marie Antoinette and the women behind the “Bling Ring” burglaries. What Sophie Coppola has crafted with Priscilla is a picture perfect portrayal of a woman thought to be living a beautiful porcelain world evidently with a number of cracks under the surface.

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Living on a military base in Germany in 1959, Priscilla (Cailee Spaeny) is introduced to Elvis (Jabob Elordi) at the age of 14. Historically what follows is a relationship that develops between them until their marriage in the late 60s when Priscilla is 21. Sophia Coppola develops a script that outlines what happened in between this time and after their marriage.

Priscilla’s set design and cinematography are portrayed as a fairy dream for a teenage girl, meeting one of the most famous musicians and the unbelievable idea that he is interested in her. Sofia Coppola utilizes classic 1960s designs, clothes, and music to play into this “fairy tale” that Priscilla feels she is living in upon meeting and going on dates with Elvis.

The film touches on the obvious age gap between Priscilla and Elvis but maintains the atmosphere of the “dream” Priscilla is living as a teenage girl being pursued by the dreamiest man alive at the time. Coppola does an incredible job of directing the film to feel otherworldly to Priscilla while allowing the audience to see the reality behind the beauty of the world Priscilla has found herself in.

Sofia Coppola’s writing and Jacob Elordi’s portrayal of Elvis is something greatly anticipated, given the film focuses on Priscilla and the story behind the legend we all know. Having to face that one of the most loved musicians of all time could never live up to the pedestal society has placed him on can be difficult, especially with other film portrayals of Elvis. The way the film exemplifies the complexities of Elvis living a life that nobody could possibly comprehend while never hiding his flaws is balanced well.

It becomes evident that Elvis was a man who was a product of his time and his status, never dismissing his actions but showing as a man in the late 1950s and 60s he was not above the idea of being in charge of his marriage. This portrayal never diminishes Priscilla’s strength but showcases a woman living in unimaginable territory, navigating it on her own. Priscilla’s experiences are at the forefront of the film. It would have been easy to create a story that villainizes Elvis to an extent, while raising Priscilla up for how she handled her new life.

However, Coppola understands the gray areas and the reality of relationships and marriages on a grand scope such as this. One of the greatest parts of the film is the portrayal of Priscilla historically leaving her marriage with Elvis. As so many divorces go, it is often the shortcomings of one’s partner that drives the other to leave. However, throughout the film, Coppola maintains a portrayal of Priscilla’s life that she mostly spends alone both physically and emotionally.

As a result, Priscilla’s reasoning of Elvis losing her to a life she has created for herself is so believable and displays her personal growth in the film, especially really only having herself to lean on. Sophia Coppola’s film goes way above the classic biopic genre that feels more like a character study rather than a history lesson. It is one story that the world should hear, directed and written by a powerhouse herself.

‘Priscilla’ Rating – 4/5

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