As soon as I heard about the Priscilla movie, I was counting down the days until it was released. Not only because Jacob Elordi stars as Elvis, or because Sofia Coppola directed it, but because I have always had a genuine fascination for Priscilla. In my eyes, Priscilla is one of the most beautiful icons of the 60s and 70s, and I was eager to know her story. With that background in mind, here is my honest review of the film.
My praises of this film are unending when it comes to the cinematography, set design, wardrobe, and acting. I was skeptical at first if I could see Elordi as Elvis and Cailee Spaeny as Priscilla, but after watching it I can see why they were cast. The movie is visually beautiful and the way it is shot leaves room for silent contemplation and time to study the intention behind each scene which I love. It is filled with glamor and romance, but naturally showcases the dark side of Elvis and Priscilla’s “love story”.
My biggest criticisms of this film are the lack of character development and flat storyline. It sheds light on all the loneliness, alienation, and emotional abuse Priscilla faced with Elvis, but not enough about who she is and the development that took place on her own to allow her to finally leave him. We don’t see Priscilla’s interests or her opinions outside of their relationship at all. Throughout the whole film even until the end, we see a submissive girl who is forever emotionally attached to her groomer. And yes, it is clear, he groomed her (he was 24 and she was 14 when they met, he pursued her until she moved in with him, need I say more).
The whole film I was waiting for the climax of the movie, but it never came. The whole movie felt like it was leading up to something, and then all of a sudden it ended. There is no big revelation or clear message behind the movie. Perhaps I have to watch it again to “get it”, but it slightly bothers me that they chose to make it so lacking of meaning. I interpreted the end of the movie, which (not a spoiler I promise), ends with her driving to the song “I Will Always Love You”, as a complete disregard of everything that occurred in it. Yes, the movie illuminates the dark truths about Elvis, but it just ends up glorifying him that despite being a cheater and a huge misogynist, she will always love him no matter what.
Despite these criticisms, I cannot complain about the truth, and I can understand that Sofia Coppola likely decided to depict the raw truth, not a happy-ending fairytale. Yes, even though I might not like the storyline or the ending, that is what happened, I was just expecting more.