Hard on the heels of last year’s epic biopic “Elvis” is “Priscilla,” a vivid but ultimately sobering peek into the marriage of the King and his teenage bride Priscilla Presley.
So what was it like? Based on this film, it is hell on earth.
It starts with Elvis and Priscilla meeting in Germany. He was stationed there after he was drafted into military service.
She was 14. He was 24.
That alone is a huge red flag but they would go on to live together two years later in Graceland.
It is baffling as to why her parents allowed this to happen but in the film, it was Priscilla who insisted to be with Elvis.
It was sometime after that the King would marry Priscilla.
Exactly nine months later, the couple will welcome their daughter, Lisa Marie.
Everything seems perfect. But hints of impending trouble abound.
Jacob Elordi’s Elvis is insecure, flawed. He is also given to tantrums. Violent ones.
Cailee Spaeny’s Priscilla is loyal, subservient.
This is made obvious particularly with her taking whatever pills Elvis would give her with nary a whimper.
She is always alone. Not unlike a bird in a gilded cage.
If the film seems to favor Priscilla more than Elvis, it is probably because it is based on her memoir “Elvis and Me.”
The film even downplayed her affair with Mike Stone even as it painted Elvis as a serial womanizer.
Whatever, writer-director Sofia Coppola didn’t force the drama. Everything is delivered matter-of-fact.
Many of those used to larger-than-life portrayals may find the approach tepid if downright unexciting but it is what it is.
if anything, the film is visually-stunning. It perfectly captures the vibe of the era. The soundtrack is quite complementary.
There are no clear-cut villains nor heroes here. But the film makes it easy to hate Elvis, inasmuch as it also makes you want to save, protect Priscilla.
CreaZion Studios brings “Priscilla” in cinemas January 31.
