Fiery Disapproval: Lisa Marie Presley's Scathing Critique of Priscilla Movie Unveiled

Article Overview

Lisa Marie Presley expressed concern about the portrayal of her father as a predator and manipulative in the movie Priscilla.

Priscilla, the biopic's focus and Elvis' ex-wife, has approved of the film, but Lisa Marie Presley believed it did not accurately portray her own view of her father.

The film delves into the contentious elements of Priscilla and Elvis' relationship, such as their significant age difference and claims of manipulative actions and infidelity, which possibly contributed to Lisa Marie Presley's refusal to endorse it.

Lisa Marie Presley critiqued Sofia Coppola's Priscilla biopic in emails prior to her death. Priscilla, released on November 3, is the latest film based on the life of Elvis Presley, following closely after Baz Luhrmann's Elvis. However, Priscilla takes a different approach by focusing on the perspective of Elvis' wife, Priscilla, and delving into their relationship. The movie is actually based on Priscilla's memoir, Elvis and Me, and has received support from her. Variety reported that Lisa Marie Presley expressed her concerns about the film to Coppola via email, urging the director to reconsider it. While she was open to her father's legacy being explored in Elvis, she took issue with how Coppola portrayed Elvis as solely a "predator and manipulative," disregarding her own firsthand experiences. Read Presley's thoughts on Coppola's film below.

Why Didn’t Lisa Marie Presley Support Priscilla?

My father's portrayal in the Priscilla script is that of a predator and manipulative individual. However, as his daughter, I do not perceive any semblance of my father within this character. I fail to understand why your depiction is shockingly vengeful and contemptuous, devoid of my mother's perspective of my father. Consequently, I will be compelled to express my true sentiments about the film openly, going against both you, my mother, and the public perception of this production.

Presley's concerns about Priscilla may come as a surprise. Despite Priscilla being her mother's story and having her mother's approval, Marie Presley never had the opportunity to publicly express her thoughts on the movie. The recently revealed emails provide some insight into her feelings, though it is unfortunate that she never had the chance to see the completed biopic. If she had seen it, she might have reconsidered her stance. Nonetheless, there are several possible reasons why she might not have supported the concept of this biopic.

Coppola's film delves into the controversial aspects of Priscilla and Elvis' relationship, particularly exploring their significant age difference. When they first met, Priscilla was only 14 years old while Elvis was 24, a situation that would be viewed as inappropriate in modern times. In addition, Priscilla has made allegations about Elvis' controlling behavior and alleged affairs during their marriage. Despite these challenges, she has maintained that their relationship was both respectful and genuine. This complex topic poses difficulties in its portrayal.

Although Elvis was known for his numerous affairs, Priscilla also admitted to a few indiscretions towards the end of their marriage. However, the film does not cover this aspect due to the timeline of events in Priscilla's life.

Elvis largely downplayed the issue, possibly because there is no straightforward solution. On one hand, Priscilla had to honor her previous remarks about their relationship while also recognizing the power imbalance it involved. This conversation has the potential to stir intense emotions, and it appears that Marie Presley was worried about her father being portrayed unfavorably. Priscilla had an easier time addressing this issue since she has been candid about the ups and downs of their relationship in the past. Marie Presley's concerns regarding Priscilla highlight the complex nature of the film's subject matter and emphasize the importance of considering Elvis' family's viewpoint on certain matters.

Editor's P/S

Lisa Marie Presley's critique of the Priscilla movie reveals her deep emotional connection to her father, Elvis Presley. Her strong reaction to the portrayal of Elvis as a predator and manipulative individual suggests that she has a different perspective on her father's character and relationship with Priscilla. It is understandable that she would feel protective of her father's legacy and want to ensure that it is portrayed accurately and respectfully.

Her willingness to openly express her concerns, even if it goes against her mother and the public perception of the film, demonstrates her commitment to preserving her father's memory. It is unfortunate that she did not have the opportunity to see the completed biopic, as it might have given her a different perspective. However, her critique raises important questions about the portrayal of complex and controversial figures in biopics and the need to consider the perspectives of their families and loved ones.