Thanks to the creative mind of director Sofia Coppola, Priscilla Presley's autobiography Priscilla is on the big screen!
This film tackles the Elvis Presley legacy but in an entirely different way than ever before. With the rise of last year's Elvis (2022) directed by Baz Luhrman, love for Elvis soared like it was the 1950s again. Controversely, Coppola took a deeper look into the female perspective within Elvis' inner circle. Ultimately, Coppola sheds some much-needed light on the predatory behavior within Graceland's past.
The film centers on Priscilla as she waits around for her rockstar to pick her up, detailing the slow climb for her to find her own life. As always, the film carries Coppola's iconic female gaze with soft color palettes, charged dialogue, and subtle performances that sell you on the reality. Cailee Spainey as Priscilla Presley floats glamor and empathy towards a woman I barely knew anything about. However, by the end of the film, Spainey's performance was so focused it was hardly like I was watching anything to do with Elvis's story at all. Additively, Jacob Elordi as an understated Elvis Presley felt more captivating than the larger-than-life performance by Austin Butler. With Elordi in front of the camera, Elvis felt like a flawed man, rather than just an iconic name.
All in all, I highly recommend you see Priscilla, especially in theaters if you can. Not only is the period piece highly engrossing, but the film also opens up a beautiful discussion about legacy fame and the victims it leaves behind.
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