Priscilla Review: Echoes of Loneliness

Release date	October 27, 2023
Cast	Cailee Spaeny, Jacob Elordi, Ari Cohen, Dagmara Dominczyk, Tim Post Lynne Griffin, Dan Beirne, Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll, Dan Abramovici, Matthew Shaw, Tim Dowler-Coltman, R Austin Ball, Olivia Barrett, Stephanie Moore, Luke Humphrey, Deanna Jarvis, Jorja Cadence, Josette Halpert
Genre	Biography, Drama, Music
Director	Sofia Coppola
Producer	Sofia Coppola, Youree Henley, Lorenzo Mieli
IMDb rating	6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes	82%
Metacritic	78%

Detailed review of “Priscilla”

In Sofia Coppola's latest film, "Priscilla," Cailee Spaeny brilliantly plays the main character. The protagonist embodies the theme of solitude seen in Coppola's other movies. Priscilla, Elvis Presley's wife, is like a girl stuck in a fancy cage. She's surrounded by luxury but feels lonely in her world.

The film shows Priscilla feeling alone in a diner. She chooses solitude over making new friends. Her meeting with Elvis, played by Jacob Elordi, is based on their shared sense of loneliness. Even though Elvis is a worldwide icon with fans everywhere, Coppola shows him as a lonely person finding comfort in Priscilla's company.

Coppola cleverly uses the idea of a princess in a castle to show Priscilla's life at Graceland. In Coppola's other work, she showed Marie Antoinette's life in Versailles. The way it's presented in this film is similar to how it was depicted in another one of Coppola's movies. In the movies made by Coppola, Priscilla, similar to the other female characters, feels like she is not fully connected to the world around her. She lives a life seen from a distance.

Based on Priscilla Presley's memoirs, the film isn't a usual biography but a memoir. This lets Coppola give it a warm glow. Remembering things from a girl's point of view is similar to looking back on experiences, and flashbacks of memories and seeing them from a girl's perspective.

This means recalling events and moments in a way that captures how a girl might have felt or thought about them. In films like "The Virgin Suicides" and "Lost in Translation," Coppola explores the theme of women experiencing solitude. This concept connects well with what she presents in the movie about Priscilla.

Story of Priscilla's unfolds as she faces the challenges of being with a famous musician. The film shows the pain of loneliness and the difficulty of living in Elvis's shadow. But Coppola also shows Priscilla growing in solitude. She gains wisdom and understanding of herself.

The film looks beyond Elvis's stage life and focuses on his domestic side. This adds depth to the story. Elordi's portrayal of a thoughtful Elvis matches Spaeny's delicate performance as Priscilla. They capture the loneliness and later the escape from fame.

Coppola's usual style, like exploring the rich and famous behind closed doors, using music that doesn't fit the time, and an interest in material things, is clear in "Priscilla." The film looks beautiful, with dimly lit rooms and careful attention to detail.

However, some people criticize the film for not going deep into the characters. It lacks emotional details, especially since it's based on Priscilla Presley's memoir. The story feels unbalanced. It has a quick first part and an ending that leaves viewers wondering about Priscilla's life.

In summary, "Priscilla" is a comeback for Sofia Coppola. But the characters still struggle with feelings of emptiness and not having a clear direction. As a viewer, you might wish for a clearer path for these characters. Coppola explores solitude and personal growth.

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