Discussing the loss of some brain cells while watching the film "Priscilla" is quite an accurate description. I had initially been eager to watch it due to my affinity for period pieces, especially those that depict real historical figures. However, this film proved to be an exercise in complete frustration within the first 15 minutes. It began with an excruciatingly slow pace, followed by a moody atmosphere that failed to captivate in a compelling manner. To make matters worse, it rapidly devolved into an incomprehensible and unpleasant production that relied on numerous quick cuts with reckless abandon.
"Priscilla" made the unfortunate decision to hop between different time periods without delving into any of the characters in a meaningful way. None of them received the development they deserved, including the title character, Priscilla. What was particularly glaring was Sophia Coppola, who directed and wrote the script. Her portrayal of Elvis was nothing short of brutal, depicting him as a mumbling, shy individual with multiple personalities, a serial cheater, bad-tempered, controlling, sexually dysfunctional, stunted in his emotional development, and plagued by a Madonna Complex.
No wonder right before she passed away, Lisa Marie Presley hated everything about this script and also thought that it was akin to being a hatchet-job. I'm beginning to have some questions about Priscilla Pressley. She's been involved in too many controversies regarding her daughter, grand-daughter, Elvis and that estate. Just sayin'.
First and foremost, it's hard to fathom how a parent could permit a 14-year-old to associate with, and secretly date, a man 10 years older. Even more bewildering is the decision to let her relocate back to the United States, considering her father was stationed in Germany at the time, and reside at his estate. The only explanation that seems plausible is the overpowering influence of money. Given Elvis's wealth and fame, it appears that these factors overshadowed any morality her parents may have had.
The film portrays Priscilla as a pampered and privileged young girl, essentially held captive within the opulent confines of Graceland. In one scene, she expresses her desire to secure a job while attending school, telling Elvis it would be fun. However, Elvis dismisses this idea by presenting her with an ultimatum: him or a career, all while he's away filming and allegedly screwing his leading ladies.
Do any of us know if all of this is completely true...no, except the fact that her parents did hand her over to Elvis while she was underage. What we also know is that a child shouldn't be living with an adult man like this, and scenes like the one I described, without any context before enduring yet another quick cut time jump, is one of the many things that made this film extremely unbearable.
Also, Coppola rushing through years of multiple betrayals, sadness and pleasure at a breakneck pace, made the film feel as if she was trying to check all of the boxes on her ridiculous timeline, rather than fully immersing us in Priscilla's early life and experiences with Elvis.
Now let's get to the casting. Jacob Elordi as Elvis didn't strike me as authentic. There wasn't enough suspension of disbelief in the world to buy him as the titular 50s/60s heartthrob. The difference between his Elvis and Austin Butler's Elvis is simple: Elordi played Elvis and Butler became Elvis. That's what made Butler's portrayal more believable and real. Cailee Spaeny as Priscilla Presley was serviceable, though a bit stiff. She had 2 expressions in this film...wide-eyed, young and naive and sullen. That was about it. Even when it cut to her leaving Elvis after his Vegas show, there was nothing for the audience to get excited about. And by no means are either of these performances award-worthy, no matter what the Hollywood PR machine is spinning.
In case you might be thinking about Col. Tom Parker, he never appeared in this film. You just heard Elvis on the phone with him. Even Priscilla's parents were in it sporadically. Elvis' mother was already dead and his father popped in and out with his now wife or girlfriend, that too wasn't fully explained. His grandmother, Black housekeeper and his so-called "memphis mafia" were seen here and there.
"Priscilla" is a torturous, monotonous and melancholy story surrounding the relationship between Priscilla and Elvis....nothing more than that. It had the potential to be a seering and engrossing film because all of the elements were there, but the ball was badly dropped and much to this film's detriment, no one took the time to find it.
I usually like Sophia Coppola's films, with the exception of that abysmal "The Beguiled", and I'm sure I'll end up in the minority with my take about this film, but none of it worked for me. From the beginning to the end, I kept wondering what in the Hell am I watching???
"Priscilla" made the unfortunate decision to hop between different time periods without delving into any of the characters in a meaningful way. None of them received the development they deserved, including the title character, Priscilla. What was particularly glaring was Sophia Coppola, who directed and wrote the script. Her portrayal of Elvis was nothing short of brutal, depicting him as a mumbling, shy individual with multiple personalities, a serial cheater, bad-tempered, controlling, sexually dysfunctional, stunted in his emotional development, and plagued by a Madonna Complex.
No wonder right before she passed away, Lisa Marie Presley hated everything about this script and also thought that it was akin to being a hatchet-job. I'm beginning to have some questions about Priscilla Pressley. She's been involved in too many controversies regarding her daughter, grand-daughter, Elvis and that estate. Just sayin'.
First and foremost, it's hard to fathom how a parent could permit a 14-year-old to associate with, and secretly date, a man 10 years older. Even more bewildering is the decision to let her relocate back to the United States, considering her father was stationed in Germany at the time, and reside at his estate. The only explanation that seems plausible is the overpowering influence of money. Given Elvis's wealth and fame, it appears that these factors overshadowed any morality her parents may have had.
The film portrays Priscilla as a pampered and privileged young girl, essentially held captive within the opulent confines of Graceland. In one scene, she expresses her desire to secure a job while attending school, telling Elvis it would be fun. However, Elvis dismisses this idea by presenting her with an ultimatum: him or a career, all while he's away filming and allegedly screwing his leading ladies.
Do any of us know if all of this is completely true...no, except the fact that her parents did hand her over to Elvis while she was underage. What we also know is that a child shouldn't be living with an adult man like this, and scenes like the one I described, without any context before enduring yet another quick cut time jump, is one of the many things that made this film extremely unbearable.
Also, Coppola rushing through years of multiple betrayals, sadness and pleasure at a breakneck pace, made the film feel as if she was trying to check all of the boxes on her ridiculous timeline, rather than fully immersing us in Priscilla's early life and experiences with Elvis.
Now let's get to the casting. Jacob Elordi as Elvis didn't strike me as authentic. There wasn't enough suspension of disbelief in the world to buy him as the titular 50s/60s heartthrob. The difference between his Elvis and Austin Butler's Elvis is simple: Elordi played Elvis and Butler became Elvis. That's what made Butler's portrayal more believable and real. Cailee Spaeny as Priscilla Presley was serviceable, though a bit stiff. She had 2 expressions in this film...wide-eyed, young and naive and sullen. That was about it. Even when it cut to her leaving Elvis after his Vegas show, there was nothing for the audience to get excited about. And by no means are either of these performances award-worthy, no matter what the Hollywood PR machine is spinning.
In case you might be thinking about Col. Tom Parker, he never appeared in this film. You just heard Elvis on the phone with him. Even Priscilla's parents were in it sporadically. Elvis' mother was already dead and his father popped in and out with his now wife or girlfriend, that too wasn't fully explained. His grandmother, Black housekeeper and his so-called "memphis mafia" were seen here and there.
"Priscilla" is a torturous, monotonous and melancholy story surrounding the relationship between Priscilla and Elvis....nothing more than that. It had the potential to be a seering and engrossing film because all of the elements were there, but the ball was badly dropped and much to this film's detriment, no one took the time to find it.
I usually like Sophia Coppola's films, with the exception of that abysmal "The Beguiled", and I'm sure I'll end up in the minority with my take about this film, but none of it worked for me. From the beginning to the end, I kept wondering what in the Hell am I watching???