With Priscilla Presley herself as the Executive Producer of Sofia Cappola’s recent picture, I went into watching this much-anticipated movie with high expectations.
Adapted from Priscilla’s 1985 memoir, Elvis and Me, Cappola’s film focuses on teenage Priscilla Beaulieu’s (Cailee Spaeny) meeting with 24-year-old Elvis Presley (Jacob Elordi) and their life together, until their separation in 1972.
There was hope…
For the first twenty minutes, I admired the costumes, hair, make-up, soundtrack (which doesn’t feature much Elvis), and the overall retro vibe. I felt transported back in time. The cinematography was fantastic!
The casting directors knew what they were doing when they cast Elordi and Spaeny. Contrary to popular opinion, I thought Elordi was excellent as Elvis. The deep voice, the sideburns, and even his singing all resemble the rock ‘n’ roll superstar. Spaeny, too, stunned in her role as Priscilla.
In particular, I loved how she was aged throughout the film. Her hair, make-up and behaviour made it obvious that she was a child at the beginning and an adult at the end. The transformation was believable.
The passage of time in this movie, however, bothered me a lot. At the start I thought it was great; no second seemed wasted, but towards the end, everything was happening too quickly. I was losing track of where we were and how much time had passed. For instance, one moment Priscilla is going home to her parents. The next shot: Priscilla is looking out of the window (something she does a lot). We are meant to assume she’s at her parents’ house – but there’s nothing that makes that obvious. Then we’re suddenly back at Graceland.
What was the reason?
A missed opportunity
Another great thing about the casting is the height difference – though exaggerated from real-life – between Elordi and Spaeny. It emphasises their power dynamic as he towers over her.
I felt so sorry for Priscilla and frustrated with her parents, who barely tried getting their daughter out of this relationship! It was uncomfortable watching her get groomed, abused and manipulated. I also nearly barfed every time Elvis referred to her as “little one.”
I wished I could’ve helped her.
Unfortunately, besides her toxic relationship with Elvis, the Priscilla in the movie has no personality and barely an arc. We don’t know much about her. I understand that this could be the whole point: she’s so isolated that she’s unable to figure out who she is. If this is the case, though, it could’ve been depicted better because I feel like I’m grasping at straws making this observation.
Most of this movie shows the same things over and over again, just at different stages in their lives. They’re either lying in bed or Elvis is deciding what Priscilla should wear. They fight, then they make up. It is in the last fifteen minutes that a change in tone is explored – at last, an arc!
Priscilla is now an adult. She’s happier, more confident, and has friends; it’s lovely to watch. When she gets a call from Elvis, she follows him to a hotel room and finally tells him that it’s over. We are then shown Priscilla driving out of the gates of Graceland one final time, and that’s where the movie ends.
It was comforting witnessing Priscilla regain her independence and to know that she would finally explore life without Elvis. I wish this had come sooner. It could’ve been the character arc missing from the movie!
Summary
I truly think Priscilla could’ve been a better movie than it was. It’s certainly not bad; its cinematography is stunning, but it’s not enough to save it from being a flat and dull film. I’d recommend watching it whether or not you’re an Elvis fan, as it does provide an important insight into the dynamism of the couple. But don’t expect a masterpiece.
Featured Image Credit: Harper’s BAZAAR
A 23 year old aspiring writer.
News Editor at Brig Newspaper, 23/24. / Comment Editor, 22/23.
Msc International Journalism.
Founder of https://midwaymagazine.co.uk/
