Priscilla

⭐️ ⭐️ (out of 5)

Short Take: The phrase comes from the film industry, originally, and it means a short bit of recording or “something that only takes a short time.”

Short Take review: A short review of this short film with potential discussion points

Summary: After Elvis died in 1977, Priscilla Presley (Cailee Spaeny) wrote her accounts of life with the King of Rock and Roll (Jacob Elordi). Her story gives her a unique perspective of their marriage and what living at Graceland was like for her, from their meeting to their eventual divorce. These words are put into the fateful hands of Sophie Coppola (On the Rocks) who takes their journey and delivers a photographic and dream-like experience of the young woman’s viewpoint. An extreme account of living in the spotlight for the world to see while experiencing extreme isolation on the famous estate in Memphis, Tennessee for most of their marriage.

Review: Over the past five decades, there have been a multitude of depictions of Elvis Presley’s short but storied life. Priscilla has been a vital part of each film, including Baz Luhrmann’s recent musical biopic. Still, few have focussed solely on her side of the story. Coppola’s account stays faithful to the 1985 memoir Elvis and Me, which dealt with their marriage and gives little acknowledgment to the icon’s music. This content leaves the celebrated director with scenes of seclusion, loneliness, and substance abuse in the Presley bedroom. This is not to say that this film is about their amorous lifestyle; quite the opposite. Instead, this film proves Priscilla lived a dull existence during her time with Elvis. Coppola attempts to deliver an artistic photo collage of their marriage, but ultimately makes life with the King outside of his musical career mundane and heartbreaking. This portrayal may be accurate, but it proves to be anything but entertaining.

REEL DIALOGUE: When you have everything this life offers, where do you go for satisfaction?

Priscilla portrays the life of the Presleys, who seem to have all that the world has to offer: Money, fame, relationships, and a lifestyle that others envy. Yet, within this world of plenty, this married couple seems dissatisfied with what they have been given and looks for satisfaction elsewhere. It all seems to be chasing after the wind...

Times have not changed since Elvis reigned over the music and film industries or even thousands of years prior when Solomon spoke of this in Ecclesiastes. This book of wisdom addresses this existential angst we all experience. Also, it gives a surprising answer that is worth considering.

Ecclesiastes 1:2-3 - “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?

If you would like to discuss how there is nothing new under the sun, reach out to us at Third Space. We would love to chat with you about this and more.