If you ever wanted to time travel back to 1950, you’re in luck…
Following months of delays, writers strikes and so many hurdles that there was doubt whether it’d even make it to the big screen, Priscilla Presley is finally having her story told in the new biopic of the same name, with the first trailer being released just this morning.
Starting with the heroine’s early years and her first encounter with the rock god when she was just 14 and he 24 (just a tad problematic), the film carefully chronicles Elvis setting his sights on her, with numerous scenes showing the pair’s courtship while the future Mrs Presley is enveloped by a media frenzy. Eventually, however, Elvis’ darker side and that of their marriage is quickly brought to light, with Priscilla battling to stay above water throughout Elvis’ increasing drug use, infidelity and overall dickish personality. Lead stars Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Florida capture the essence of their respective parts, however, Spaeny’s performance is by far the standout, with her managing to capture Priscilla’s innocence in her early years along with the subsequent changes she went through as one of the most obsessed-over celebs of the 20th century.
It’s a far cry from Baz Luhrmann’s portrayal of the pair’s marriage, which definitely romanticises the ‘Jailhouse Rock’ singer’s behaviour throughout it all. Also, it feels like we get a better sense of the 1950s and 60s in this iteration, with the fashion peak of the respective decades front and centre, most notably whenever Priscilla is in frame. Still, it’s a solid interpretation that holds its own against the 2022 film. And, considering that it’s actually based on Priscilla’s memoir, we’re guessing it has just a bit more historical accuracy than its big budget counterpart, despite its minuscule budget. We’re not exaggerating, Priscilla’s budget was so restricted that director Sofia Coppola considered auctioning off a pickle ball game with Jacob Elordi (like a hipster version of tennis) just to raise money for the project. Still, you’d think you were looking at a big budget epic upon first viewing of the trailer. Check it out for yourself below.
