The Biopic Bullseye of the Year: Priscilla Review
Soda Pop, Poodle Skirts, and Hairspray: what do these iconic 50s trends have in common? They laid idle on the zebra-print bedsheets of the King of Rock ’n Roll, Elvis Presley. However, underneath the gilded glory, bedazzled fame, and outright righteousness that came with the Presley name, remained a symbol of American poise and stratified culture whose story cannot go unseen; that is, the story of Priscilla Presley.
The Biopic Bullseye of the Year: Priscilla 👰‍♀️💒 4.5/5 💫
Directed by A24 alum Sofia Coppola, the film uses remarkable storytelling and beautifully crafted color design to capture the essence of Priscilla’s overlooked past. The Brooklyn native met Elvis Presley in 1959 when she was just 14 years old while he was serving in the U.S. Army in Germany. Their relationship developed rapidly, eventually leading to their infamously televised Vegas marriage after a courtship that lasted several years. Priscilla played various roles throughout her life, being known not only as Elvis's wife but also as his biggest supporter, even when the press became too intense to handle. American actress Cailee Spaeny delivers a driven performance as the leading lady with immaculate attention to detail with both body language and voice acting. Euphoria’s Jacob Elordi compliments her performance beautifully with his sadistic take on the beloved 50s performer, and in just 110 minutes, all the actors are able to conjure a remarkable feat in biopic media with these stellar performances.
A24 never fails when it comes to the costuming department. Whether it be a double-stitched crewneck paying homage to Christian Dior, or ballistically fringey outerwear similar to that of Marilyn Monroe’s glamorous style, Priscilla knocks it out of the park when it comes to painting a distinct picture of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee. The color gradients on the film are also extremely vivid and imaginative, adding layered nuances to scenes that have little to no dialogue. At times, it even disrupted the awkward silence that occurred between takes of the *very* uncomfortable, blossoming relationship between the King and Priscilla. In terms of the storytelling of the biopic, the final scenes did feel a bit rushed considering how much time was spent portraying Elvis’ spiral downwards. However, the majority of the film avoided explicitly focusing on the well-known singer and shifted the narrative toward Priscilla’s untold side of the story, making for an eye-opening experience overall.
Priscilla, a biopic conveying the hardships a woman married to a worldwide legend had to face, retains an unshakeable sense of passion and focus weaved within it that leaves the audience wanting more answers. It sets a precedent for film as a medium in itself, that a story worth telling requires attention to detail, quality performances, and just the right amount of controversy to get the conversation started before audiences enter the theater.
(Photo/A24).