Priscilla is a disturbing and uncomfortable movie to watch

My stomach is tied up in knots as I struggle to absorb Sofia Coppola’s new film.  Priscilla portrays Elvis (The King of Rock and Roll,) as a predator, groomer and all around creep.  If you love Elvis’ music and appreciate him as an artist you will find this film brutal.

Priscilla is based on the 1985 memoir Elvis and Me by Priscilla Presley.  At 14 years of age we witness Priscilla being introduced to Elvis Presley who was 24.  At 17 years old Priscilla was living with Elvis at Graceland without her parents.  What I found most unsettling were images of Elvis giving an underage Priscilla pills while abusing her both physically and mentally.  Such manipulation is something I’ve never associated with Elvis, and it was gut-wrenching.

Priscilla is a story about adolescence and isolation, themes Director Sofia Coppola captured successfully in her breakout feature The Virgin Suicides (1999.)  Coppola’s directorial style revolves upon a narrative reflective of Pricilla’s experience.  Consequently, Elvis’ glitzy lifestyle is replaced beautifully with simple sets, purposeful imagery and slow storytelling.  The soundtrack reiterates this by substituting Elvis’ songs with Dolly Parton and new wave and post punk sounds.  While Coppola artistically wants Priscilla to control her own story Cailee Spaeny, as Priscilla, never takes her character to the next level.  Throughout the entire movie (minus a quick karate class,) Spaeny can only emote naivety.  Sadly we never see any evidence of a transformation or tangible quest to regain self worth.

With two very different Elvis movies in the span of two years it’s hard to know which one is accurate.  2022’s Elvis, the critically acclaimed biopic, maintained Elvis was used and controlled by those around him.  Austin Butler as Elvis added credibility through his mannerisms which were so effective that at moments you were unsure if you are watching archival footage or Butler himself.  In Priscilla, Elvis is presented as the clear villain and Jacob Elordi’s poor acting makes you hate him even more.  Elordi brings little confidence to the role and there were moments while he was delivering his lines that the audience began to laugh.  In the end, we will never know what really happened between Priscilla and Elvis because the latter is not here to tell his side of the story.  Does Priscilla have a hidden agenda or is it full of authentic reflections?  I just don’t know and that is worrying.

Priscilla is directed artfully by Sofia Coppola but suffers from content adapted from a tell- all book.  I admire films that assert female independence but I question Priscilla Presley motives after decades of profiting directly from Elvis’ estate.  What you will take from this movie are the warning signs of unhealthy relationships, a message that is well timed and significant.