Film: Priscilla

Opening with Ramones version of Baby I Love You felt so right and drew me in immediately.

It’s good to be able to learn more about Pricslla’s side of the story. I hadn’t known that she was a school girl when they met and this film captured her innocence. I also didn’t know they met in Germany where Priscilla’s dad was stationed.

Much of his time in Germany showed mega star Elvis as an insecure young man worried that America would forget him while he was away in the army. It also showed all the American soldiers having a wonderful time with nightly parties and not a single thing to worry about.

I did enjoy seeing Elvis recite the words to the films that he was desperate to be in. At this point, I’m unclear if he was wanting to act more than sing or it was just part of conquering something else.

Everyone was under his spell.

This continued when he went back home and Priscilla, being allowed to visit, after the singer charmed her parents to let their underage child go on an expenses trip to Memphis. He was never alone, even in his own house, the gang of guys, who I assume he thought of as friends, always surrounded him.

Even when Pricilla was trying dresses to please only him, there they were, giving their opinion. Eventually, we learn that he is dressing her to look like his beloved late mother.

Later, after eventually getting married and then pregnant, there’s a memorable scene of her calmly putting her false eyelashes on while in labour as the household staff panicked to get her to the hospital.

The film is a cultural snapshot of the early 60s. It’s a bit of a “yeah right’ to the brilliant Elvis film which depicted him as more of a victim as it looked at his relationship with his infamous manager.

The film is called Priscilla and it is her story but it says more about Elvis than it does about her.

The fashion and soundtrack have supporting roles in this film.

The original Dolly Parton version of I Will Always Love You as the closing track is genius. I left with a strong urge to backcomb my hair.

7½/10