Sofia Coppola’s adaptation of Priscilla Presley’s autobiography, “Elvis and Me,”unfortunately, makes the film as oppressive to watch as it was for Priscilla to live. It is written and directed with a stiffness giving little to get excited about, but maybe that was the point. The pace is slow despite the performances of Cailee Spaeny (The Craft, Pacific Rim) and Jacob Elordi (Euphoria, Saltburn) as the legendary couple. Unfortunate that Coppola could not use any of Elvis’ songbook for this film. Not having his music leaves a giant hole. His being the huge star without his music leaves the portrayal out of context.
Spaeny fills the bill as the pretty little 14-year-old who catches Elvis’ eye when he was stationed in Germany and Priscilla Beaulieu was there with her military family in the 1960’s. He was 24 and already an international star. Coppola shows how he became enamored with her using his celebrity to convince her parents to let her live with him at Graceland. It became her home, but also a prison as she grew up.
Priscilla led a lonely life as the rock ’n’ roll icon traveled the world to make movies, TV appearances and perform in concert. She had to stay at home, waiting, ready to be at his beck and call. He was so controlling he knew how he wanted her to look, dress and act. Elvis always ran with a pack of his own posse of yes-men buddies who agreed with his every decision, shown when she had to model outfits for all of them. You see how controlling he was in every part of her appearance, prodding her to have that stark black bouffant hair, Elizabeth Taylor style makeup and flashy, sophisticated wardrobe.
Elordi is a good looking Elvis, nothing like the Elvis we saw with Austin Butler in Baz Luhrmann’s film. Here, he shows the celebrity affectionate and respectful of her age, but without much depth. It seemed he just liked having Priscilla there for him.
The descent of Elvis and Priscilla’s relationship through their long courtship includes his drug addiction and getting her into popping pills at a young age. It also shows her own desire for intimacy with the man she loved and said loved her, even though she knew he was fooling around with a number of starlets from his movies. He kept putting her off.
It’s a depressing story and Spaeny tries her best with the role, but we found the performance rather lackluster. Elordi is more animated, but both have their share of too many blank stares. We kept waiting to see more dynamic chemistry and a few sparks of emotion between these two actors. Whenever they were in bed together or in any potential romantic situation, we became frustrated too.
Elvis gave Priscilla a dream life that was envied by every fan. Coppola successfully shows the opulence as well as her depression and oppression living with the King of Rock ’n’ Roll. While somewhat boring and slow, when Priscilla finally leaves, we were glad she was on her way out, and we could be too.
A24 1 hour 53 minutes R
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