Director/writer Sofia Coppola's atmospheric adaptation of Priscilla Presley's 1985 memoir is so muted the 2023 film often feels emotionally inert. The approach makes sense when it focuses on the compartmentalized world Priscilla lived in from age 14 when she was summoned to meet Elvis in Germany. The first part of the film focuses effectively on her sense of isolation, but it also builds anticipation for a great romance that we don't actually witness much in a relationship marred by jealousy, manipulation and often violent swings in behavior. Coppola manages to draw out solid lead performances from Jacob Elordi who captures Elvis' conflicted offstage personality well, and especially Cailee Spaeny who conveys the title role with aching vulnerability and an evolving sense of self.
