Grade: (8.2/10)
Less than two years on from Elvis, Priscilla seeks to tell the story from a different perspective. It succeeds in doing so, but Elvis’ presence looms large.
Plot (40/50)
The film follows Priscilla through her life from when she meets Elvis to the point where she asks for a divorce. The first act is the most compelling, as it shines a light on the troubling premise of Elvis’ interest in Priscilla when she was still a minor. After Elvis’ courtship in Germany, the second act focuses on Priscilla’s life in Graceland. The third act expands on Priscilla’s evolution after her marriage to Elvis, during which she gave birth to their daughter. Ultimately, Priscilla and Elvis grow so distant that she asks for a divorce.
Meeting Elvis
During Elvis’ time in the military, he was stationed in West Germany. While he was there, Priscilla’s stepfather was transferred there as well. At some point, Priscilla was invited to meet Elvis by one of the other servicemen. Her parents were initially opposed to the idea owing to the fact that she was still fourteen years old while Elvis was 24, but they eventually acquiesced. This troubling pattern would repeat itself over the next few years.
Elvis took an immediate interest in Priscilla. The two would go on a number of dates during which they would talk and kiss. At some point, her father demanded that he meet Elvis in person so that he could understand his intentions with regards to Priscilla. That meeting was enough to convince Priscilla’s parents to allows the two to continue seeing eachother. The lack of responsible oversight put Priscilla in a compromising position, even if she didn’t feel that way.
Not only was Elvis the biggest star in the world, he was also charming, kind, and vulnerable with her. She was an impressionable teenager far from home. Of course she was starstruck, and of course she developed an affinity for Elvis. It’s worth noting that throughout this time, Elvis insisted that they don’t have sex. It’s evidence of some awareness and respect on his part, but it does not excuse the grooming of a ninth-grader. Seeing how many adults were complicit was the real eye-opener. Even as Priscilla’s grades suffered, no one stepped in to remedy the situation. By the time Elvis left Germany, he was the center of Priscilla’s life.
Life at Graceland
Elvis promised not to forget about Priscilla upon his return to the US, but for a while, it seemed as if he had. She was constantly writing him letters, but she wasn’t getting a response. Her parents urged her to move on, but she couldn’t. She wouldn’t have to either because Elvis finally calls. Once again, her parents are initially reluctant, but after some assurances from Elvis, they relent. Elvis brings Priscilla to LA and even takes her on a trip to Vegas.
Coppola does well to include subtle hints that remind the viewer the Priscilla is still a teenager here. On one instance, she’s asleep for two whole days after Elvis gave her some sleeping pills. On another instance, she miscalculates basic addition during a game of Blackjack. Elvis’ influence on her was only mitigated by the fact that she was still living in Germany with her parents, but that would soon change. Elvis proposes that Priscilla finish her senior year at a Catholic high in Memphis. She would be under the care of his father and entourage to maintain boundaries. Priscilla makes it clear that she loves Elvis, so her parents relent yet again.
Once at Graceland, Elvis’ influence on Priscilla was absolute. He would continue molding Priscilla in his image over the next few years. Priscilla dyed her hair black and only wore outfits Elvis approved of. She turned to drugs to keep up with school and Elvis’ antics. The two would spend a ton of time together when Elvis was around, but while he was away, Priscilla’s existence was a lonely one. After she graduated, she considered keeping busy with a part-time job, but Elvis vehemently refused the idea. He needed her to be available anytime he called on her, and so she was.
Marriage
Over the next few years, Elvis and Priscilla would share plenty of intimate moments without ever having sex. Priscilla grew frustrated, but Elvis continued to insist that they wait for the right moment. Elvis’ darker side also started to show. He did not like to be challenged or questioned, and when he was, he would violently lash out. He would immediately express his remorse and check on Priscilla, but the signs were there. Unfortunately, Priscilla didn’t have much of a support system, so she always stuck it through. Furthermore, because Elvis genuinely loved her and she loved him, she was quick to forgive.
Eventually, the two would marry. And on their wedding night, they finally had sex, and Priscilla got pregnant. Elvis was anxious about fatherhood, and Priscilla was wary of the responsibilities of motherhood, but she decided to keep the baby. Late in her pregnancy, Elvis proposes that they spend some time apart. This is where Priscilla’s maturity starts to show. Unlike in previous instances where she would break down, her reaction was muted. This was just another episode that Elvis would snap out of, and he did. She would give birth to their daughter, Lisa Marie, shortly after.
After she gave birth to Lisa Marie, Elvis refuses to have sex with her. She voices her displeasure, but he’s unbothered. All the while, she’s constantly bombarded by rumors of his many affairs in the news. The more time he spends away from Graceland, the more the two grow apart. At some point, they were essentially living separate lives. Priscilla finally reaches a point where she can no longer put up with Elvis’ antics. She poignantly asks for a divorce so she might finally live her own life after living his for years.
Overall Thoughts
There aren’t that many more challenging stories to tell than that of Priscilla’s relationship with Elvis. There are a number of sensitive topics in play, so Sofia Coppola really had to the thread the needle. Ultimately, she does a fine job maintaining a balance to the story that should make it possible for a wide audience to digest. The more problematic aspects of the story are addressed in a delicate, subtle manner. Any story involving Elvis will feature him heavily, and this was no different. The important thing here is that the film remained fully committed to Priscilla’s perspective.
With that said, it wasn’t without its flaws. The first act is the film’s best because it focuses on a part of the story that’s usually glossed over. Seeing a teenage Priscilla live her life (go to school, ask her parents permission, etc…) is essential to understanding her as she grows older. However, as the film progresses, it starts to become repetitive. This is likely done intentionally to show Priscilla’s gradual evolution, but the pace suffers as a result. A great film is one whose sum is greater than its parts. This had plenty of good parts, they just didn’t come together to create something more.
Character Development (12/15)
The film was primarily focused on the development of its titular character, but given how much Priscilla’s life was intertwined with Elvis, the film also tracked his development. The key is that we watched Priscilla’s evolution on her way to developing a sense of autonomy. On the other hand, we got to see a different side of Elvis, but not in a way that showcased his evolution. It is this distinction that ensures Priscilla’s perspective remains at the forefront of the story.
Teenage Priscilla
It’s not hard to see why Priscilla was attracted to Elvis in the first place. When they first met, she was a teenage girl living abroad with no real friends. She was lonely and homesick. That Elvis was so charming and interested in her sealed the deal. She went from having nothing going on in her life to going on dates with Elvis at the tender age of 14. His vulnerability was disarming, and she could relate to his loneliness. The vast imbalance in the relationship could overwhelm most women at the time, so imagine what it could do to an isolated teenage girl. In truth, Priscilla didn’t stand a chance.
At least she was under her parents’ supervision at the time, not that they did much to shield their daughter. Still, they acted as a sort of buffer to Elvis’ influence. However, once she moved to Graceland, that buffer was gone. Elvis was free to mold Priscilla any which way he wanted, and he did. She was just happy to finally be with him, so she did everything she could to please him. That meant changing her entire look and demeanor to suit his liking, even if she didn’t necessarily like the changes. She turned to drugs in order to keep up with Elvis’ lifestyle, and that came at the expense of her grades.
For a long time, Elvis’ pleasure was Priscilla’s only measure of accomplishment. Her sense of autonomy was non-existent. She was Elvis’ girl, no more, no less. Every once in a while, Priscilla would voice her displeasure about Elvis’ affairs or his disregard for what she wanted. That displeasure was usually met with hostility, so she learned to exert her influence in a muted way. The more she reacted, the more she ceded leverage to Elvis.
Adult Priscilla
If you want a truly wild stat that shows just how secondary Priscilla’s desires were, the two didn’t have sex until eight years into their relationship. What’s more, Elvis refused to have sex with her after she gave birth to Lisa Marie. That equates to a few months of intimacy over a 13-year relationship. For most of that period, Elvis would constantly engage in affairs with other women while Priscilla waited patiently. However, after it became clear that Elvis would not be having sex with her as a result of her giving birth, there was no point in waiting anymore.
As the two grew apart in their marriage, Priscilla started prioritizing herself. Gone was the 14-year-old girl whose sole concern was the satisfaction of the man she loved. She had matured over the years, and after dedicating so much of her life to Elvis, it was time she explored her own life. She started dressing the way she wanted to dress and pursuing her own desires. That yielded a couple of affairs. She would still tend to Elvis when he called on her, but the luster was gone.
After living separate lives for years, Priscilla realized that the only thing standing between her and true autonomy was a divorce. She delivered the news to Elvis with a level of grace befitting the love she still had for him. There was animosity or ill-will. It was simply an admission that she could no longer put herself second. The courage it took to make such a significant decision, coupled with the way she communicated it to Elvis, is evidence of Priscilla’s maturation. From the beginning of their relationship to its end, she conducted herself in a truly commendable manner.
Elvis
If you’ve seen Elvis, you already know that Elvis was heavily manipulated by his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, throughout his career. We get hints of that here, but the focus of this particular film is on his relationship relative to Priscilla. The fact of the matter is that he demonstrated some concerning behavior towards Priscilla. It was a different time, but the premise of a 24-year-old essentially grooming a 14-year-old will never not be alarming. The same can be said for abusive tendencies and anger management issues that put your partner in harm’s way.
With that said, the fact that their relationship was built on absolute love makes it difficult to analyze and judge. Elvis was demanding and controlling, but he was also kind and tender. He made his intentions clear early on in the relationship and he maintained a level of honesty that was conducive to building trust. His willingness to open up about his struggles and vulnerability was endearing to Priscilla. He genuinely loved her. He just could not overcome his hurtful tendencies, and that ultimately cost him the woman he loved.
Theme/Messages (4/5)
- Consent should be absolutely clear cut, yet relationships like Elvis and Priscilla’s exist.
- And what of accountability? How much blame can be assigned to the complicit? In this case, passive servicemen and Priscilla’s parents were enablers. Are they at fault for listening to Priscilla?
- “If I stay, I’ll never leave.”
Acting (13/15)
Cailee Spaeny (Priscilla) does an outstanding job in her portrayal of Priscilla. She manages to convey so much emotion with subtle movements and pointed body language. With that said, for some reason, the bigger moments felt a bit forced. She wasn’t done any favors with dialogue that was, at times, weak. Nonetheless, this was a breakout performance. Her chemistry with Jacob Elordi (Elvis) was strong as well. For his part, Elordi was fantastic. He captured Elvis’ volatility and fragility well. These two were definitely well-cast. That Elordi towered over Spaeny further enhanced the dynamic of the relationship.
The supporting cast did a good job as well. Ari Cohen (Captain Beaulieu), Dagmara Dominczyk (Ann Beaulieu), and Tim Post (Vernon Presley) had limited roles; nonetheless, they performed them admirably.
Cinematography (13/15)
- Coppola took advantage of the height difference between Elordi and Spaeny to great effect. There were a number of shots that highlighted the height difference to symbolize the power dynamic in the relationship. Later in the film, when Elvis’ influence on Priscilla has waned, we see a different type of shot. When they are paired, Elordi is sitting or laying down almost as if to neutralize the height advantage.
- Perhaps the most clever detail of the film was the use of clothing to track Priscilla’s evolution. Her outfits are unspectacular at first, which matches her status as an ordinary girl. Later on, when she’s at Graceland, her outfits change depending on whether Elvis is around or not. When he was around, she wore mostly blue to please Elvis’ taste. However, when he wasn’t around, she went with colors that she preferred. Then, towards the end of the film, when she no longer sought Elvis’ approval, she switched from dresses to more practical outfits and a less pompous hairstyle. By the end, she looked like a changed woman.