CinemaBravo

When teenage Priscilla Beaulieu meets Elvis Presley at a party, the man who is already a meteoric rock-and-roll superstar becomes someone entirely unexpected in private moments: a thrilling crush, an ally in loneliness, a vulnerable best friend. Through Priscilla’s eyes, Sofia Coppola tells the unseen side of a great American myth in Elvis and Priscilla’s long courtship and turbulent marriage, from a German army base to his dream-world estate at Graceland, in this deeply felt and ravishingly detailed portrait of love, fantasy, and fame.

The film beautifully unfolds the rich narrative of Priscilla Presley’s extraordinary life. This slow-moving movie was visually enormous, gorgeous, and brilliantly executed. It was a beautiful piece of cinematography that accurately portrayed the progression of Priscilla through a collection of scenes depicting the romance, tragedy, and raw emotions of her relationship with Elvis. This film is essentially Priscilla’s autobiography – her story and her truth. It’s interesting to see her perspective, and it was even more interesting to compare this movie to the Elvis film released last year. While the Elvis movie glorified him, Priscilla’s movie showed the other side of Elvis – as a lover, as a husband, and as a human. The aesthetic of the movie was simply amazing and pleasant for the fans; the atmosphere was exactly how you could imagine it in Elvis’s house and presence.

It is based on Priscilla’s book “Elvis and Me.” This movie was pretty faithful to the book, to a certain degree. Some people may find this slow and not as enigmatic as they’d like, but you’ll be surprised that this movie didn’t tweak the book. It depicted the book well and pretty accurately, without any extra false add-ons. Hats off to Sofia Coppola, who never disappoints with her works, and the way she described Priscilla Presley’s story was mind-baffling.

Cailee Spaeny delivers an undeniably remarkable performance as Priscilla—from innocent to not-so-innocent yet charming, lovable Priscilla. Cailee is a true revelation on screen as she portrayed Priscilla’s adolescence, as well as her transformation into a fully mature woman, wonderfully. Jacob Elordi played a very believable Elvis by capturing everything with precision, showcasing impeccable attitude and an authentic accent. His control and intimidation of Priscilla were not unexpected. With all of his Memphis Mafia and the worshiping of Elvis, it was spot on. The portrayal of the drug-addicted, controlled, frightened man was perfect and was executed purely by Jacob.

Sofia Coppola once again proves her directorial prowess, crafting an outstanding work of art. She isn’t out to bash anyone, but she is here to tell a story. The clarity of what she accomplished here is astounding. The film’s direction is nothing short of phenomenal, as Coppola makes excellent choices in colors and music to encapsulate the emotions, personalities, and personal journeys of both characters. It is beautifully styled and a perfect overview of Graceland without feeling like a museum.

Watching ‘Priscilla’ is an immersive experience that truly connects you to Priscilla Presley’s captivating story. Incredibly emotional and well-written, this is a highly recommended film, best seen on the big screen.