Decades after his death, Elvis Presley continues to captivate audiences as a cultural icon. Last year, he was the focus of the award-winning film, “Elvis,” and now he takes center stage again in the upcoming biopic, “Priscilla.” Directed by Sofia Coppola, the film is based on Priscilla Presley’s memoir, “Elvis and Me,” and explores her relationship with the King of Rock and Roll. While Priscilla has shown her support for the film, it appears that not everyone in the family is happy about its portrayal of Elvis.
Elvis’ daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, who sadly passed away earlier this year, reportedly expressed her outrage at the script’s negative depiction of her father. According to Variety, she described the portrayal as “shockingly vengeful and contemptuous,” and expressed concern about how the film would shape public perception of Elvis.
The film, told from Priscilla’s perspective, does not feature any of Elvis’ music. It offers a darker and less flattering depiction of the music icon, showing him as manipulative, egotistical, and verbally abusive. This stands in contrast to Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis,” which was a major hit and presented a more positive and celebrated view of Presley’s life.
Despite Lisa Marie’s disapproval, Priscilla has been vocal in her support for the film. At this year’s Venice Film Festival, she commended Sofia Coppola, stating, “She did an amazing job. She did her homework.” Priscilla’s endorsement suggests that she sees the film as an opportunity to share her own perspective on her life with Elvis.
In response to Lisa Marie’s criticism, Coppola reassured her that the film aimed to honor Priscilla and hoped that she would feel differently after watching the final product. Coppola has defended her approach, emphasizing that she aimed to present a sympathetic perspective while exploring the more unseemly aspects of the Elvis-Priscilla romance. She invites viewers to judge for themselves whether Elvis was a “monster.”
The controversy surrounding the film also brings attention to the age gap between Elvis and Priscilla. Their relationship began when she was just 14, and he was a world-famous 24-year-old. This discrepancy has long been a topic of heated debate, with many viewing the relationship as inappropriate and accusing Elvis of grooming his young wife.
Priscilla, however, recently spoke out in defense of their relationship. She revealed that they were not sexually active when she was 14 and emphasized that Elvis respected her age. According to her, their connection went beyond numbers and was based on their shared understanding and deep conversations.
As the highly anticipated film “Priscilla” hits theaters nationwide, it continues to generate discussion about Elvis Presley’s legacy and his complex relationship with Priscilla. Whether it will change public perception of the King of Rock and Roll remains to be seen.
