Director Sofia Coppola tells the story of Elvis and Priscilla Presley’s long courtship and turbulent marriage from Priscilla’s perspective.
By Bob Tremblay/Boston Movie News
So, how would you react if you were invited to a party by one of the most famous people on the planet? Would you be shocked? Apprehensive? Scared witless?
If you’re 14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu and the person offering the invitation is 24-year-old Elvis Presley, you might have all those reactions while wondering if you’ve just experienced the ultimate teen fantasy.
Before we get too romantic, there’s an obvious underage “ick” factor here, as Priscilla’s parents point out to her, but Priscilla won’t be dissuaded. Hey, this is Elvis Presley, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, adored by millions, and he’s interested in me. For the record, parents don’t have a very good batting average breaking up relationships. Love, or lust if you will, knows what it wants.
Priscilla (Cailee Spaeny) meets Elvis (Jacob Elordi) at an American Army base in West Germany in 1959. She’s an Army brat, and he’s an Army soldier. What’s the attraction from his viewpoint? Is the Southern boy lovesick for a Southern girl? Priscilla previously lived in Texas. Or does he see someone he can mold into his ideal image of a woman? The women in his past have already been “molded,” so to speak. There’s a certain predatory air to Elvis, but it’s clear that he does care for her, and she definitely cares for him. He’s handsome, charming and charismatic. He lives in a dream world called Graceland. What’s not to love?
Based on the 1985 memoir “Elvis and Me” by Priscilla Presley, the film follows the ups and downs of this fractured fairy tale. The first half of the film depicts their 7 1/2-year-long courtship, where the couple ignores Olivia Newton-John’s advice and doesn’t get physical. But they eventually get married, and their daughter Lisa Marie is born. All you cynics out there can question how chaste the two really were before tying the knot.
Anyone familiar with the Elvis and Priscilla story knows the rest: love blooms, fades, and finally wilts.
What the film lacks in drama is more than made up for by superb acting from the leads and inspired direction from Sofia Coppola, who also wrote the screenplay and co-produced the film. Coppola is no stranger to stories of females flirting with disaster as her resume includes “The Virgin Suicides,” “Marie Antoinette,” and “Beguiled.” Here, she takes what could have been a typical celebrity biopic and gives it compassion instead of glitz. For a counterpoint, see Baz Luhrmann’s flashier “Elvis.” Coppola takes a more subtle, non-judgmental approach. Elvis is no hero, but he’s no ogre either. As portrayed by Elordi, he’s a man-child who likes to play with guns yet shoots blanks where his film career is concerned, relying on the often dubious advice of Colonel Tom Parker, who is talked about but not seen here. A parallel can be drawn between how he tries to control Elvis and how Elvis tries to control Priscilla. A case in point is the scene where Elvis takes Priscilla to a store to buy a dress. He wants a color he likes. Her opinion doesn’t matter. An Australian, Elordi, has the Elvis sound down. We don’t get to hear him sing, however. The film contains no Elvis music, unfortunately. It seems a request to his estate got returned to sender.
Elordi is impressive, but this is Spaeny’s film. She’s already won the Venice Film Festival’s award as best actress, and you expect more honors to come her way. It’s a highly sympathetic portrayal (Priscilla Presley serves as the film’s executive producer), yet Spaeny doesn’t play her as a saint. She pops amphetamines like M&Ms and refuses to get shut out of Elvis’ life even as he tries to close the door. There are only so many infidelities to be tolerated. Cue “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” As the relationship disintegrates, she lets her hair down, literally. She wants control of her life, and the tragedy is Elvis either won’t allow that to happen or doesn’t know how to let it happen.
Too bad Coppola didn’t show more of Pricilla’s life in school. One student talks behind her back about being Elvis’ girlfriend, but there had to be more cattiness involved. Or simple questions such as, “So, what is Elvis like?” There is one scene where Priscilla uses the connection for her benefit. But we don’t see the payoff.
“Priscilla” is not for viewers who crave drama and ugly fight scenes. This is an intimate portrait of a romance that shows how love and fame can act like oil and vinegar. It’s a showcase for two actors and a director at the top of their games. You can’t help falling in love with it.
‘Priscilla’
Screened October 12 at AMC Boston Common.
Rating: R for drug use and some profanity
Cast: Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi
Director: Sofia Coppola
Writer: Sofia Coppola
Running time: 113 minutes
Where to watch: In theaters Nov. 3
Grade: A-
Bob Tremblay is the former film critic for The MetroWest Daily News and a member of the Boston Society of Film Critics.
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