Priscilla (2023)

Manuel São Bento December 3, 2023

★ 6/10

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://www.msbreviews.com/movie-reviews/priscilla-mini-review "Priscilla navigates the familiar territory of biographical storytelling, offering a nuanced exploration of Priscilla Presley's life. Cailee Spaeny's career-best performance skillfully delves into the complexities of a toxic relationship with Jacob Elordi's also convincing portrayal of Elvis. Sofia Coppola authentically captures Priscilla's struggles with love and fame, though it occasionally falls into a repetitive narrative. Still, in the end, Spaeny's compelling portrayal elevates the film so much that I definitely recommend it for fans of the genre and/or subject matter." Rating: B-

r96sk January 4, 2024

★ 6/10

Just rather uninteresting, on film terms at least. It is interesting seeing the film portray a different type of version of Elvis Presley, one that is uncomfortable to watch unfold but one that ought to be told. That's where anything noteworthy I have to say about this release ends, though. As a movie, it's rather boring. I'm not convinced there's enough to be told across a full blown picture, at least not one around 1hr 45mins in length. I will say that Cailee Spaeny puts in a solid display as the titular character, in fairness. Jacob Elordi as Elvis, in my opinion, isn't a positive to be honest. If I didn't know he was playing Elvis I genuinely wouldn't have guessed he was playing the singer, aside from a few outfits and the twisty bit of hair in his fringe. Accent particularly seemed off to me too, Elordi amusingly (given the director's connection) sounds more like Nicolas Cage …

CinemaSerf January 10, 2024

★ 6/10

Having recently watched Bradley Cooper's "Maestro" (2023) and "Tchaikovsky's Wife" (2022) I was wondering if Sofia Coppola was about to bowl us a bit of a googly about Elvis here after half an hour! The young Priscilla (a competent Cailee Spaeny) is invited to meet him (Jacob Elordi) in Germany where both he and her father are serving in the US military. Not yet 16, she is chaperoned to his home where it's quite clear they take a shine to each other. He returns home and after a while sends for her to come visit Graceland. She's totally besotted by this stage and what follows tells us the story of their burgeoning relationship. It's got to be said, that's not always plain sailing - he is hugely charismatic, but has a temper, is controlling, and is very career-minded. He's also not that interested in consummating their relationship, either! History tells us the rest and with the lady herse…

Brent Marchant February 26, 2024

★ 6/10

When a film seeks to depict the life story of a beloved public figure, it generally works best when it paints a comprehensive portrait of said individual. However, in this biography of the wife of rock ʼn roll icon Elvis Presley, viewers get a picture that seemingly tells only half of the story. Writer-director Sofia Coppola’s latest focuses on the years Priscilla Presley (Cailee Spaeny) spent with Elvis (Jacob Elordi). They embark on a sincerely loving relationship that, sadly, falls prey to problems with drugs, firearms, infidelity, prolonged separations and control freak tendencies, conditions – largely initiated by Elvis – that eventually lead to their separation (and at times cause the film to be more about him than her). Regrettably, the choice of this narrative leaves out the many significant personal and professional accomplishments of Priscilla’s life on her own, an ins…