It's a bit perplexing to see the movie's opening scene with Frankie Avalon's "Venue" as background music, even if "Priscilla" is not as much about Elvis as a couple of other movies. In fact, there is no Elvis music at all in the entire movie. Copyright may be an issue, granted. But Sophia Coppola may just be making a point: this movie is not about Elvis. "We've had enough of those", you could almost hear her. This movie is based on Priscilla Presley's book (1985) "Elvis and Me." "About time we make a movie from her perspective", you can almost hear her again.
In this movie, Priscilla's story is told in simple, old-style narrative, with a clear timeline. (1) The first 6 months in Germany when they quickly become very close, after they first met. (2) After he returns to The States while she remains in Germany, they suspend communication. (3) The relationship reignites easily and upon his invitation, she visits him a few times. (4) Eventually she move to Graceland to stay with him (which, unfortunately, is more like staying with his entourage), while he goes away frequently on the business of making movies.
It may be absurdly strange, but watching "Priscilla" makes me think of "Waiting for Godot". Priscilla seems to be forever waiting.
The story starts in 1959, when an innocent 14-year-old meets the world's idol singer, to 1973, when a neglected wife divorces a superstar on his road to self-destruction through substance abuse. Throughout, a burning question challenges the audience, be it bluntly or subconsciously: how much love it there, from her, and from him. To give this question some perspective, one should remember that Director S. Coppola has a penchant for depicting (even studying) loneliness, as evident by her Oscar-winning "Lost in translation" (2004, for screenplay, and nominated for best director and best picture). Priscilla's loneliness needs no elaboration. Elvis's loneliness may not be outright apparent, but is palpable even when he is always surrounded by a hoard of lackeys. Is the love driven by loneliness, in both cases?
At their first meeting in the U. S. base in Germany, Priscilla (Cailee Spaeny, at 24 and looking not one day older than 14) is lilywhite innocent. Elvis (Jacob Elordi, quite impressive in "Saltburn" made in the same year) is 10 years older, and miles ahead in sophistication. Still, his loneliness is just as evident as hers. His intention is entirely honorable. He just needs to have someone from back home to talk with. This movie depicts the couple as entirely chaste, up to the consummation of their marriage. It is Priscilla who craves sexual intimacy. But if you think about it, he has all the opportunities to satisfy his erotic drive, while she doesn't.
It is quite believable that they are drawn to each other initially by romantic love. As the story evolves, she is continuously in this "waiting" state while he drifts away. One telephone dialogue says it all. He is in Hollywood while she is at "home" in Graceland, and she wishes to do just some small things to make her dull existence less unbearable. "When I call you, I need you to be there for me" is his reply, spoken not as command or a threat, but in a casual, matter-of-course manner.
The final scene of the movie shows her walking out of his house, literally. Upon being served notice that she is leaving him, Elvis's parting words are "Maybe another time, another place". She does not say anything more, but in the background emerging with languid poignancy is Whitney Huston's immortal "I will always love you".
In this movie, Priscilla's story is told in simple, old-style narrative, with a clear timeline. (1) The first 6 months in Germany when they quickly become very close, after they first met. (2) After he returns to The States while she remains in Germany, they suspend communication. (3) The relationship reignites easily and upon his invitation, she visits him a few times. (4) Eventually she move to Graceland to stay with him (which, unfortunately, is more like staying with his entourage), while he goes away frequently on the business of making movies.
It may be absurdly strange, but watching "Priscilla" makes me think of "Waiting for Godot". Priscilla seems to be forever waiting.
The story starts in 1959, when an innocent 14-year-old meets the world's idol singer, to 1973, when a neglected wife divorces a superstar on his road to self-destruction through substance abuse. Throughout, a burning question challenges the audience, be it bluntly or subconsciously: how much love it there, from her, and from him. To give this question some perspective, one should remember that Director S. Coppola has a penchant for depicting (even studying) loneliness, as evident by her Oscar-winning "Lost in translation" (2004, for screenplay, and nominated for best director and best picture). Priscilla's loneliness needs no elaboration. Elvis's loneliness may not be outright apparent, but is palpable even when he is always surrounded by a hoard of lackeys. Is the love driven by loneliness, in both cases?
At their first meeting in the U. S. base in Germany, Priscilla (Cailee Spaeny, at 24 and looking not one day older than 14) is lilywhite innocent. Elvis (Jacob Elordi, quite impressive in "Saltburn" made in the same year) is 10 years older, and miles ahead in sophistication. Still, his loneliness is just as evident as hers. His intention is entirely honorable. He just needs to have someone from back home to talk with. This movie depicts the couple as entirely chaste, up to the consummation of their marriage. It is Priscilla who craves sexual intimacy. But if you think about it, he has all the opportunities to satisfy his erotic drive, while she doesn't.
It is quite believable that they are drawn to each other initially by romantic love. As the story evolves, she is continuously in this "waiting" state while he drifts away. One telephone dialogue says it all. He is in Hollywood while she is at "home" in Graceland, and she wishes to do just some small things to make her dull existence less unbearable. "When I call you, I need you to be there for me" is his reply, spoken not as command or a threat, but in a casual, matter-of-course manner.
The final scene of the movie shows her walking out of his house, literally. Upon being served notice that she is leaving him, Elvis's parting words are "Maybe another time, another place". She does not say anything more, but in the background emerging with languid poignancy is Whitney Huston's immortal "I will always love you".