Review: Sofia Coppola flips the script on Elvis' narrative with movie 'Priscilla'

Priscilla Presley’s perspective about her former husband, Elvis, is one that hasn't been explored in great depth on screen.

Sofia Coppola (“Lost in Translation”) proves to be the perfect director to delve into her compelling story in her latest movie "Priscilla."

The reality of Priscilla and Elvis’ story cannot be told without stripping away the varnish that made him a legend.

More: Priscilla Presley says Elvis 'respected the fact that I was only 14 years old' when they met

On screen, his mythology has always been outsized, whether portrayed by Kurt Russell in a 1979 critically acclaimed television movie or by the relatively unknown Austin Butler in last year’s Baz Luhrmann-directed extravaganza.

Elvis has been portrayed as a tortured soul with talent (like most artists), and that might have been true. But what about those close to him? In this case, that would be Priscilla Beaulieu (Cailee Spaeny), who was only 14 years old when she met Presley in Germany during his stint in the Army.

Based on her book about her time with Elvis, "Priscilla" gives little of the legend and plenty of the human in a story of how a woman emerged from his shadow to evolve into a well-rounded individual.

Some fans of Elvis might view the portrayal of The King as tearing him down. On the contrary, it humanizes him, especially given the historically glitzy presentation of his life. This includes last year’s "Elvis" film in which very little of Priscilla's story made it to the screen.

It seems fitting, then, that Coppola takes her fairy tale story and strips it down to the bare essence.

"Priscilla" tells the story of a girl who is taken from her military brat life and given a life of luxury – one that most would dream of having.

More: Austin Butler, nominated for an Oscar in Baz Luhrmann's 'Elvis,' calls nod 'bittersweet'

The problem: once she enters the gilded gates of Graceland as a senior in high school, according to the narrative, her life is not her own, and a strange dynamic unfolds. For years, their relationship was not physical, and Coppola imbues it with an Oedipal subtext as Elvis places Priscilla on a pedestal previously occupied by his late mother.

That fact influences every interaction between them, and despite the inherent affection and sweetness Elvis displays, their relationship is not all that healthy. It’s an intimate look into how their marriage – but not their love – died courtesy of indifference.

Spaeny (“Mare of Easttown,” “The First Lady”) may be the strongest aspect of “Priscilla.” She masterfully takes Priscilla from a wide-eyed innocent teen to an accomplished young woman who eventually finds her strength in learning how to let go.

Jacob Elordi gives us an Elvis audiences haven’t seen in prior portrayals. He needs to be charming, and he certainly is when wooing Priscilla, but he also has to be stripped of much of his charisma, and watching him fall into a self-induced malaise provides that.

Coppola succeeds in providing a glimpse into a woman’s revolution that is fascinating and sad. “Priscilla” is worth a look.

George M. Thomas dabbles in film and television for the Beacon Journal.

Review

Movie: “Priscilla”

Cast: Cailee Spaeny, Jacob Elordi

Directed by: Sofia Coppola

Running time: 1 hour 51 minutes

Rated: R for drug use and some language

Grade: B

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Review: Sofia Coppola delves into life with Elvis in 'Priscilla' movie