Elvis and Me, published in 1985, a bestseller, and credited to s Beaulieu Presley and Sandra Harmon, is the movie’s source.
According to Priscilla Presley, “I can’t think of anyone I would have trusted more than Sophia to bring this book to life.”
Having perused a rough screenplay four months before her death, daughter Lisa Marie Presley contacted Coppola before footage was shot.
She felt her father was depicted as “a predator and manipulative”.
There is a world of difference between Baz Luhrman’s biopic Elvis and Coppola’s Priscilla.
For one, Graceland never cooperated with Coppola.
She wasn’t allowed to use any of Elvis’s music.
Cover versions from the film’s era are heard. In contrast, the estate was wholly cooperative with Luhrman.
Coppola’s absorbing film focuses on Priscilla’s story and Elvis just happens to be a significant part in telling of their initial meeting, their fragile relationship, until their separation.
The director is especially good at showing girls in their adolescence.
Priscilla (Cailee Spaeny, a Golden Globe nominee for Best Female Actor in a Motion Picture) was a 14-year-old in year nine when she met 24-year-old Elvis (Australian Jacob Elordi, BAFTA nominated for Best Supporting Actor in Saltburn, and EE Rising Star award voted by the public) in 1959 in Wiesbaden, Germany.
Her father (Ari Cohen) was stationed at the European headquarters of the U.S. Air Force.
Elvis was a superstar serving in the U.S. Army.
Pictured together in the film Elordi towers over Spaeny.
Perhaps this was Coppola’s visual way to show us the age difference, Elvis’ fame and Priscilla’s naivety.
Elordi literally lords over her.
The infatuated, almost child-like Elvis didn’t come across as predator.
He warns her, “Control the desires or they control us.”
Manipulative, yes, that Elvis was.
“Black hair and more eye make-up. Make your eyes stand out better.”
As Priscilla tried on dresses, “Blue. Yes, blue is your colour. I don’t like patterns. I don’t like brown – makes me think of the army.”
Elvis, under the thumb of the unseen Colonel, made movies in Hollywood while Priscilla remained in Memphis at Graceland, the gated estate under constant observation by screeching, autograph-seeking fans.
Playing with a dog on the grounds, in sight of those noisy leering fans, Priscilla is strictly informed, “Strangers aren’t allowed in Graceland.”
She recalls Elvis always instructing her as he disappeared on some promotional jaunt to “Keep the home fires burning.”
Priscilla, living a teenager’s dream, learned the dream became an ornate cage, lined with mascara, hairspray, and manipulation.
She has a lavish lifestyle, but it’s unglamorous.
It’s a shame Elvis never taught Priscilla what to expect from his fame and all it entailed.
Unprepared upon seeing photographs and stories in the newspapers and fan magazines of Elvis and his female co-stars, Priscilla knows insecurity.
Explanations after the fact ease little pain.
He’s never there as emotional support.
Elordi and Spaeny performed really well to portray the complicated relationship.
Infatuation, rather than love, is the relationship we understand between Elvis and Priscilla.
After Luhrman’s biopic, Elvis fans may struggle with the portrayal of the rock star.
Movie: Priscilla
Duration: 113 mins
Director: Sophia Coppola
Starring: Cailee Spaeny, Jacob Elordi, Ari Cohen
Reviewed by Lawrenty
