The movie “Priscilla” is a biopic which follows the titular character, Priscilla Presley, and her relationship with the world-famous rockstar Elvis Presley over the course of the 14 years they were involved.
Released on October 27 of this year, it is based on Priscilla Presley’s novel, “Elvis and Me”, with Presley serving as an executive director on the film.
Throughout the entire movie, from ages 14 to 27, Priscilla is played by the young actress Cailee Spaeny, who does wonderfully portraying Priscilla at so many different stages of her adolescence – from being a nervous young girl to a more confident, no-nonsense young woman.
With Sophia Coppola directing (known for films such as “The Virgin Suicides”, “Marie Antoinette”, and “Lost in Translation”) and with costume designer Stacey Battat (who was nominated for multiple awards for her work on the film and won one) visually, the film is stunning.
Throughout the story are undercurrents of loneliness and isolation, from Priscilla moving around all the time in her youth due to her father being in the United States Air Force, to moving in at the Graceland estate, only for Elvis to always be away working on music or films. This theme is emphasized well in a show-don’t-tell manner, with scenes of Priscilla walking alone through school halls and pacing the big, beautiful, empty home.
Not allowed to get a job of her own, invite new people over, or even be out on the front lawn at risk of “causing a scene” in front of Elvis’ fans that gather at the gates, Priscilla’s strained, often distant relationship with Elvis is truly the center and focus of the film. Though there are other important characters and relationships (like that with her rightfully worrisome parents), all issues outside of the relationship are conveniently cut-away, dealt with off-screen, or not acknowledged at all.
Elvis Presley is played by the actor Jacob Elordi, who recently rose to prominence with his lead roles in the Netflix film series “The Kissing Booth” and on the HBO series “Euphoria”. He does well with the role, making the seamlessly often stone-cold treatment of Priscilla feel natural instead of awkward or overdone.
Though on a first watch through, the ending may seem abrupt, the second time around, it seems perfectly fitting. The film ends when their relationship does – with Priscilla leaving Elvis, leaving their relationship that had already been dissolving. When she tells him she’s leaving him, she says, “You’re losing me to a life of my own.”
Some of the last shots of the film are her, in a once again quiet, lonely house. Unsmiling wedding portraits, alone. She drives off alone, past fans that are just on the other side of the fence.
Some of the final shots of the film linger with poignant beauty as the audience glimpses Priscella in a quiet, lifeless house, alone. It is illustrated in wedding portraits where she is featured unsmiling, and alone. Finally, passing Elvis fans that are just on the other side of the fence, she drives off – alone.
