Sofia Coppola’s latest film, “Priscilla,” unfolds in 1959 at a U.S. Army base in Germany. There, we meet Priscilla Beaulieu (played by Cailee Spaeny), a fourteen-year-old caught up in the wild world of Elvis Presley.
The film gives us a front-row seat to Priscilla’s perspective as they navigate their infamous romance, dealing with the challenges of military life and their clashing worlds. The movie throws shade at the idea of grooming in Priscilla and Elvis’s relationship.
Jacob Elordi takes on the role of Elvis, towering over his co-star, adding an interesting twist to their dynamic. Their age and height differences make you think twice about their relationship. But despite all that, they connect over the shared pain of homesickness. The plot unfolds as Priscilla introduces Elvis to her initially skeptical mother, Ann (Dagmara Dominczyk), and stepfather, Paul (Ari Cohen).
The story follows Priscilla from Elvis finishing up his military duties to her Graceland visit. It captures the ups and downs of their unconventional courtship, including a trip to Las Vegas and Priscilla’s return to Germany. The climax is all about Elvis showering her with extravagant gifts, leading up to a proposal.
The movie’s visual flair shines through in Elvis’s meticulous choice of outfits for Priscilla, each one paired with a handgun. Close-ups of bare toes, eyelashes, and symbolic objects, highlighting the surface-level aspects of their relationship. Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” playing during Priscilla’s departure adds a touching vibe to the story. The deliberate exclusion of Elvis’s iconic hits shows a more flawed and human side.
Coppola’s take on Elvis as a regular man instead of a legendary figure brings a fresh angle to the film. While some hardcore Elvis fans might cry slander, the movie paints Elvis not as a one-dimensional monster but as a fame-obsessed guy oblivious to the world around him
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