Priscilla is directed by Sofia Coppola and is based on the 1985 memoir Elvis and Me by Priscilla Presley (who is also a producer of the film.) 

Last year we had a biopic of Elvis that was directed by Baz Luhrman and while it was indeed a really solid film there’s one huge important part of Elvis’s life that the film did not discuss… it was the relationship between Elvis and Priscilla which was not a healthy one at all. 

Priscilla is about how the two met, their relationship and how it fell apart. But what Coppola does here is interesting, not only is it about their relationship but it’s also about grooming and the dangerous effects it can have on someone. It’s a film that is visually beautiful with tons of shots that are in the running for some of the best looking moments in a film from this year, heck the first time we see Priscilla herself is when she’s putting her makeup on with nail polish, eye makeup and fake eyelashes. Underneath all of that however is a disturbing and very uncomfortable story that is being told by Coppola has shown time and time again that she can treat many different stories with care. 

The performances are some of the best of the year, Cailee Spaeny gives perhaps my personal favorite performance of the year. She completely captures the mannerisms and voice of Priscilla Presley, what makes her performance both even more powerful and actually frighting is she plays a 14 year old (the age when Elvis met Priscilla) in such a authentic way that you start to question is she actually going to age later on in the film? It’s a truly powerful performance that we see continue to grow as the film goes on, her performance only gets stronger when Jacob Elordi enters the picture as Elvis. He towers over her the first time they meet and it’s truly a horrifying shot, especially when you know what’s going to occur later on. Spaeny  gives one of the most transformative performances out there and it’s truly a sight to behold. 

Almost immediately when Jacob Elordi enters the film you realize that Sofia Coppola isn’t messing around, Elordi’s portrayal of Elvis is soft spoken, intimidating and can switch from being a caring person to a downright awful one. The signs of grooming are present throughout the first portion of the film, which makes it some of the most hardest moments to sit through due to how uncomfortable it really is. When they first meet the signs of grooming are automatically shown in plain sight, Pricilla’s parents aren’t sure at first but thanks to convincing Elvis begins a relationship with Pricilla. Later in the film we see how far gone Elvis really is, the final time the two talk Elvis is too caught up in his career, could care less about her and is doing all sorts of drugs which as we the viewer know is what ended up killing him. 

The writing and cinematography both compliment each other incredibly well, the script is as grounded as it possibly can with a discussion about girlhood a topic Coppola really loves to explore and how easily it can be corrupted and be turned into a very suffocating adulthood. It’s quite disturbing to watch unfold but very necessary and not only shares Priscilla’s story but in a way shares the dangers of being groomed and the writing portrays this in such a honest and natural way that is unfortunately the reality of it all. The cinematography compliments this by being absolutely stunning, stylish plus a cross between suburban and Hollywood type of feel. But underneath it all is a dark picture that’s very disturbing, a picture that is swept under the rug. That rug being the cinematography which covers the disturbing picture, it’s a very clever technique that Sofia Coppola absolutely nails especially with Priscilla.

Finally there’s Coppola’s direction which really shows she was the right person for this project, she takes a lot of techniques she’s used in her career and uses them to the full potential. The film is shot like a dream but the nightmare slowly starts to take over, Coppola directing Spaeny and Elrodi gives us some of the most haunting and powerful moments from a film this year. It’s truly an uncomfortable and depressing film that has so much to it, truly one of the year’s best. 

Priscilla is available on all VOD platforms tomorrow! 

10/10 A+