GET READY FOR SOFIA COPPOLA’S ‘PRISCILLA’

Set against the backdrop of the swinging 1960s, the film beautifully chronicles Priscilla’s extraordinary transformation. It paints a vivid portrait of a teenage girl’s chance encounter with the iconic rock ‘n’ roll sensation at a party, a moment that forever etched her name into the annals of American culture.

What distinguishes “Priscilla” is Sofia Coppola’s audacious storytelling approach. She doesn’t merely retell a linear narrative; instead, she captures the shifting moods, styles, and profound emotions that shaped Priscilla’s evolving identity. Drawing from her acclaimed work with “Marie Antoinette,” where she breathed fresh life into Versailles through the eyes of a naive child thrust into a world of power, “Priscilla” offers a strikingly fresh perspective on American royalty. The film navigates the cultural and sexual shockwaves of the rock revolution, all while exposing the intricacies of Elvis’s irresistible charm through the lens of a young woman chasing a fragile romantic dream.

Coppola’s “Priscilla” empowers its eponymous protagonist, someone often dismissed as ‘Elvis’ child bride,’ by giving her control over her own narrative. Coppola astutely remarks, “Priscilla’s story, despite its unusual setting, is remarkably relatable. It’s about desires fulfilled in unexpected ways, growing up amidst immense fame and profound loneliness, living in a bubble yet yearning to burst it, and the strength it takes to realize that, as much as she loved Elvis, she needed to forge her path.” This bold and transformative exploration of the life of a legendary American icon promises to captivate audiences and reshape our understanding of Priscilla Presley in ways we never imagined.

Credit: MUBI