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| Scene from 'Prscilla' movie starring Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi |
Is a dream a lie if it doesn't come true---or is it something worse?
This line from Bruce Springsteen's "The River" came to mind right after I attended the Philippine screening of award-winning director Sofia Coppola's "Priscilla" at SM Megamall a few days ahead of its regular run in local cinemas nationwide starting January 31. Presented here by CreaZion Studios, Inc., the love story, a heart-breaking one, is that of Elvis Presley (portrayed by Jacob Elordi) and Priscilla's (Cailee Spaeny) based on the latter's memoir "Elvis and Me."
When teenage Priscilla meets Elvis at a party, the man who is already a meteoric rock-and-roll superstar becomes someone entirely unexpected in private moments: a thrilling crush, an ally in loneliness, a vulnerable best friend. Through her eyes, Sofia tells the unseen side of a great American myth in their long courtship and turbulent marriage. From a Germany army base to his dream-world estate at Graceland, this deeply felt and ravishingly detailed portrait of love, fantasy and fame.
Cailee is perfect for the title role. You can see her journey from naivety to a certain understanding of how a relationship that should be perfect just gets chipped away by differences in values, background and circumstance. For her exceptional talent, Cailee won the Best Actress plum at the Venice Film Festival. She's also been nominated in the same category of the Gotham Independent Film Awards 2023, Satellite Awards 2024, and Golden Globe Awards 2024.
Despite Elvis' stature in the music industry, "Priscilla" remains her story to tell, While he is the one actively moving the story along, it is her response to the changes in their lives that is the heart and soul of the movie. Elvis is depicted a certain way and though exposed for public scrutiny, Sofia deftly kept it subjective and at times, even tolerable up to a point. By the way, "Priscilla" was also nominated for Best Film at the Venice Film Festival by great measure of Cailee's performance, for sure.
So, what of the Springsteen line? Well, not only Priscilla, but any other girl, would have thought she'd hit the jackpot by having someone like Elvis as boyfriend and eventually, husband. He's got it all but as it turned out, fate has a way of unraveling barring rhyme or reason. What is the cost of fighting for love? How long should you do it? Is it even worth it in the end? These are but some of the questions "Priscilla" answers from a sole perspective yet
many viewers just can't help but empathize.
Creazion Studios Executive Vice President Real Florido said in a statement that they bring 'Priscilla" to the Philippines knowing that Filipios are fans of Elvis and Priscilla. But more than that, the movie is made "beautifully and tastefully" by Sofia which makes it a must-see as it explores the unseen side of a great American myth in a world of love, emotion and real-life moments through engaging narrative.
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