A 14-year-old girl named Priscilla, who finds herself in West Germany when her military father is called to Europe during the war, catches the eye of an older soldier named Elvis. In Sofia Coppola’s adaptation of Priscilla Presley’s book Elvis and Me, the dynamics of their relationship are explored, highlighting the power imbalance between them. The film delves into the intimate desires of teenage girls, portraying Priscilla as more than just a helpless victim. The examination of their sexual tug-of-war forms the foundation of their complex romance, with Elvis withholding physical affection while indulging in emotional hyperbole. As the story progresses, the romance settles into companionship, and Priscilla begins to navigate the pressures of becoming a woman. The performances by Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi are captivating, with Elordi delivering the best work of his career. Like Coppola’s previous film Marie Antoinette, Priscilla explores the consequences of an unprepared girl entering a consuming world. The film combines visual flair with matured melodrama, beautifully encapsulating the legend of Elvis who sang about love but struggled to love others.
