REVIEW: PRISCILLA

4/5

The King and I.

114 Mins. Starring: Cailee Spaeny & Jacob Elordi. Director: Sofia Coppola. In: Theatres.

Queens of the desert, don't be fooled. Toxic, tender and true. Are you familiar with the amazing American artist Lo-Fang? Made famous by his creative cover of 'Grease's' 'You're The One That I Want' on the Baz Luhrmann (who this reviewed movie replies too) directed Chanel No. 5 (who this reviewed movie gives thanks too) classic commercial starring Michiel Huisman alongside Gisele Bündchen. If so, you may have heard his out of this world, spacey cover of Elvis Presley's 'Don't Be Cruel'. To end this terrific take, we hear the king himself speak like he was being radioed down to Houston from out of space, or perhaps even higher still, in the heavens. "I'm proud of the way I was brought up to believe and to treat people...and uh, I have respect for people. And when I am pushed to a certain point I have a very bad temper, uh...but that doesn't happen very often, of course everybody has a temper. And then I don't like myself later."

That mood is managed magnificently in the mesmerizing new movie from 'The Virgin Suicides', 'Marie Antoinette' and 'The Beguiled' remake director Sofia Coppola, now as famous as her family for more than 'The Godfather Part III'. As the Best Actor Oscar winning 'Elvis' (check out Austin Butler, minus the quiff, in a scene stealing tear on 'Dune: Part Two'), focussed on the relationship between The King and Colonel Parker (played perfectly, and differently by Tom Hanks), who here is a phone call away, Mrs. Presley was sidelined like she never should have been in that film, or life itself. But now another gem from A24 and Mubi, 'Priscilla' is the perfect reply. 'The Bling Ring' and 'A Very Murray Christmas' director, who last gave us the outstanding 'On The Rocks' with the 'Ghostbusters' legend, is no stranger to the Eamon and Frankee F you right back and forth. They say Spike Jonze' hallmark ahead of its time 'Her' was actually a response to Coppola's opus of 'Lost In Translation'. And this movie about the Queen to Elvis' King features signature skinship styles (camera flashbulbs, revealing the real portraits of what lies behind the photographs. Slow and sombre drives away from what seems like a paradise to a whole new type of freedom of uncertainty) to Sofia's love story starring Bill and a young Scarlett Johansson in the same Park Hyatt this writer now frequents after being moved to move to Tokyo, ten years after seeing Coppola's cinematic classic capture his heart, only to leave it here in Japan.

Yet with class, like fellow great actress turned even better director Olivia Wilde's classy response to being served on stage by Jason Sudeikis, don't worry, darling (or Graceland gate storming like Springsteen fans), this is no hatchet piece. More the restrained passion of a sobering relationship drama that shows all the love, hate and war that we can all relate to as we go through this nuanced life where all is not fair, but we can cut a clear path of where the hurt comes from in raw retrospect. The dark side of Elvis actually sits with respect as the perfect companion piece to the blingy Baz Luhrmann directed blockbuster that took the ring like King James' version of crowning achievements in these game of thrones. It's dignified, but does not shy away from what he did...and even why. Estate be damned for their dismissal. Real love is only right if you recognize the wrong too...and at least atone. One biography about King of the ring, Muhammed Ali actually deep dived into Elvis never being the same as he crawled on the coffin of his mother, begging her to wake up and come out. Brutal. That's also compelling, captured on camera between Coppolla and Jacob Elordi perfectly. 

'The Kissing Booth' star gaining even more recognition for the sensational 'Saltburn' is also worthy of an award for his royal appointment as Elvis. Sure, so soon, after Austin, it seems like this would play in the shadows of the Butler who served us with a redefining role so strong that the accent stuck. But many men (Kurt Russell, more than once) have played the King, like they have an even better one in MLK, and more still will. Yet, this is 'Priscilla's' movie...literally. Produced by Priscilla Presley herself (who loves 'Elvis'...and of course Elvis) and based on her book ('Elvis and Me'), this 80th Venice International Film Fest favourite stars Golden Globe nominee for Best Actress, Cailee Spaney. And this is much a coming of age tale for the mid twentysomething actress who plays Priscilla from her too young teenage years to the same point she's at now. As classically compelling as Coppolla's cinematography, Cailee will be as legendary as Sofia's starlets lost, beguiled and blinged. Not to mention those virgins and Antoinette. Going off their heads, this is survival, anything but suicidal, or a "sad girl" stereotype from critics and cynics. The 'Civil War', 'Uprising' star gives us an acting masterclass for one of a woman finding her own agency. After hollow worship, this biography takes the real crown. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Elvis', 'Jackie', 'Lost In Translation'.