Have You Watched “Priscilla”?

I just watched “Priscilla” and I would love to know if you watched it, what you thought.  Priscilla is a biographical drama, written, directed and produced by Sofia Coppola, based on the 1985 memoir “Elvis and Me” by Priscilla Presley.  Priscilla was executive producer on this film.

Unlike the movie about Elvis, this one is about Priscilla.  How she met the King of rock and roll and what their relationship was like.

When Priscilla met Elvis he was already a big star in the world.  She met him in Germany when she was just fourteen years old. she was living with her family in West Germany, where her dad was stationed in the U.S. Military.  Elvis, who had been drafted into the US Army in 1958, at the height of his fame (whole other story there if you’ve seen the Elvis movie! That was pretty much a PR stunt to help him with his image in the U.S.) meets Priscilla at a party .  They start dating, even with some concern from her parents over their age difference and his career.  The movie follows their relationship.  Priscilla spending more and more time with Elvis at Graceland, dealing with his absence as he makes movies (most of which he hates), rumours of relationships with co-stars and other women.

There is drug abuse, and Elvis’s mood wild mood swings.   In 1968, they become parents and soon after their relationship starts to fall apart.

I was a bit shocked actually.  I’ve never seen Elvis Presley painted in a negative light, and as the movie ended I was just left with all kinds of feelings about this movie.  Elvis comes across as controlling.  Almost emotionally abusive.  Telling Priscilla what to wear, how to dress, makeup, hair colour etc.   To me it was almost as though she was treated like another prized possession.  And not as a person. But, it wasn’t exactly like that as you hear from Priscilla herself.

In an interview (see below) with Piers Morgan, Priscilla explains in her own words what life was like, and just how much pressure Elvis was under and how he questioned everything and never understood what people saw in him.  I think we saw parts of that in the Elvis movie.  Proving once again, that no level of fame and fortune can take away insecurity and doubts.

An interesting movie and a different side of the Priscilla and Elvis love story.

If you’ve watched – let me know what you thought –  cbuchanan@blackburnmedia  or text 519-464-1999

 

 

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