“Priscilla” is an odd little film that raises more questions than it provides answers.

Perhaps that’s the point when you have a fact-based movie about such complex, conflicted and world-famous characters as Priscilla Presley and Elvis Presley.

“Priscilla,” directed by Sofia Coppola, is based on the book, “Elvis and Me: The True Story of the Love Between Priscilla Presley and the King of Rock N’ Roll” (1985), by Priscilla Presley, written with Sandra Harmon.

Elvis Presley’s first No. 1 hit was “Heartbreak Hotel” in 1956. Presley’s early hits included “Don’t Be Cruel” (1956), “Hound Dog” (1956), “Love Me Tender” (1956) and “All Shook Up” (1957).

Elvis Presley’s first film was “Love Me Tender” (1956). He starred in “Jailhouse Rock” (1957).

Elvis Presley moved into “Graceland” in Memphis, Tenn., in 1957. His mother died in 1958. He entered the Army in 1958 and was on active duty until 1960.

The movie, ”Priscilla,” begins when Elvis is in the Army.

Priscilla Beaulieu met Elvis Presley in 1959 in West Germany when he was stationed at the Army base where Priscilla’s father was stationed.

Priscilla was 14 and Elvis was was 24 when they met.

Priscilla moved into Graceland, Elvis’s Memphis, Tenn., mansion, in 1963. Priscilla was a high school senior. Priscilla and Elvis married in 1967. Priscilla was 21. Elvis was 32.

Lisa Marie Presley was born in 1968. Priscilla and Elvis divorced in 1973. Elvis died in 1977. Elvis was 42. Lisa Marie died in January 2023. Priscilla Presley is 78. If Elvis was still alive today, he would be 88.

In the movie, “Priscilla,” Cailee Spaeny plays the role of Priscilla and Jacob Elordi plays the role of Elvis.

The movie, “Priscilla,” marks the milestones, the pitfalls and the ups and downs in the relationship and marriage of Priscilla and Elvis.

It’s difficult not to compare “Priscilla” with “Elvis,” the 2022 Oscar best picture nominee, which received eight Oscar nominations, including best actor for Austin Butler, who played Elvis. Austin Butler has set the standard for portraying Elvis.

Jacob Elordi (TV’s “Euphoria”) pales in comparison to Austin Butler and some others who portrayed Elvis in movies and on TV, including Kurt Russell, ”Elvis” (1979), and Jonathan Rhys Meyers, “Elvis” (2005). A television movie based on “Elvis and Me” was released in 1988.

“Priscilla” depicts the age disparity between the teen-age Priscilla and the twentysomething Elvis as not only problematic but creepy. Even though their relationship is presented as a friendship in the film, Priscilla was underage when she first met and lived with Elvis.

The height disparity between Priscilla and Elvis is also represented. Elvis was 6 ft.. Priscilla is 5 ft., 4 in. In the film, “Priscilla,” Jacob Elordi is 6 ft., 5 in. and Cailee Spaeny is 4 ft., 11 3/4 or 5 ft., 1 in., depending on sources.

Whether to exaggerate the height difference was intentional or not in the movie, “Priscilla,” to present Elvis as even taller emphasizes even more the uneven power and authority figure dynamics of Elvis and Priscilla. The approximate one and one-half foot height difference between Jacob Elordi and Cailee Spaeny, compared to the half-foot difference between Elvis and Priscilla in real life, comes off as uncomfortable.

Jacob Elordi is 26. Cailee Spaeny is 25. Each plays their characters’ age ranges convincingly.

Cailee Spaeny (TV’s “Mare of Eastown,” 2021) plays the young Priscilla especially well. Her facial expressions are winsome, fragile and tragic.

Jacob Elordi (TV’s “Euphoria,” 2019-22) has the Elvis mumble-mouth voice down (“Than yuh. Than yuh verah mush.”), but facially is less convincing. That might be why many of the scenes between Elvis and Priscilla are dimly-lit. Elvis is often in the shadows, perhaps the better to portray him as a shadowy entity and predatory figure. The angry Elvis is unleashed in a few scenes.

“Priscilla” includes the ever-present Elvis buddies, the so-called Memphis Mafia, and their shenanigans in bumper cars, on roller rinks and at the gun-shooting range; the drug abuse of prescription sleeping pills and diet pills (placidyls and Dexedrine) by Elvis, and Elvis’s alleged sexual affairs with Ann-Margret and Nancy Sinatra.

Sofia Coppola (Oscar, original screenplay, “Lost in Translation,” 2004; director, “The Bling Ring,” 2013) directs from a screenplay she wrote based on the book, “Elvis and Me.” The plot is episodic, scenes are melodramatic and the overall effect is that of a soap opera or made-for-TV movie.

Though the film is called “Priscilla,” at its heart it’s about Elvis. Elvis was a troubled soul. He was bedeviled. Some of the best renditions of gospel songs were sung and recorded by Elvis. He had a gift.

“Priscilla” provides a fascinating glimpse of Elvis and of the lives of Priscilla and Elvis.

“Priscilla” will be of chief interest to fans of Elvis Presley, rock ‘n’ roll music enthusiasts, and aficionados of the mid-century modern era of the 20th century.

“Priscilla,”

MPAA rated R (Restricted: Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.) for drug use and some language; Genre: Biography, Drama, Music; Run time: 1 hour, 53 minutes. Distributed by A24.

Credit Readers Anonymous:

“Priscilla” includes no Elvis Presley recordings because the film-makers were not granted use rights for the film soundtrack by Elvis Presley Enterprises, which also did not approve the film. Sofia Coppola’s husband, Thomas Mars, and his band, Phoenix, were music supervisors, and the group, Sons of Raphael, wrote original music for the film. “Priscilla” was filmed in Toronto, Canada. Priscilla Presley is executive producer of “Priscilla.”

At The Movies:

“Priscilla” was seen in the standard format at AMC Center Valley 16.

Theatrical Movie Domestic Weekend Box Office,

Nov. 17-19: “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” satisfied at No.1, opening with $44.6 million in 3,776 theaters, with “Trolls Band Together” opening at No. 2 with $30 million in 3,870 theaters, and “Thanksgiving” opening at No. 3 with $10.3 million in 3,204 theaters, as “The Marvels” dropped three places from its one-week run at No. 1 with $10.1 million in 4,030, $64.9 million, two weeks.

5. “Five Nights at Freddy’s” dropped three places, $3.5 million in 2,829 theaters, $132.6 million, four weeks. 6. “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” dropped three places, $2.7 million in 1,573 theaters, $175.6 million, six weeks. 7. “The Holdovers” dropped one place, $2.6 million in 1,478 theaters, $8.3 million, four weeks. 8. “Next Goal Wins,” opening, $2.5 million in 2,240 theaters. 9. “Priscilla” dropped five places, $2.3 million in 1,802 theaters, $16.9 million, four weeks. 10. “Killers of the Flower Moon” dropped five places, $1.9 million in 1,714 theaters, $63.6 million, five weeks.

Movie box office information from Box Office Mojo as of Nov. 19 is subject to change.

Unreel,

Nov. 22:

“Napoleon,”

R: Ridley Scott directs Joaquin Phoenix, Vanessa Kirby, Ludivine Sagnier and Rupert Everett in the Action, Adventure, Biography. The epic details the rise and fall of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte through the perspective of his relationship with his wife Josephine.

“Wish,”

PG: Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunhorn direct the animation and voice talents of Ariana DeBose, Chris Pine, Alan Tudyk, Victor Garber and Natasha Rothwell in the Disney Adventure, Comedy Musical. A girl named Asha wishes upon a star and gets more than she bargained for.

“Dream Scenario,”

R: Kristoffer Borgli directs Lily Bird, Nicolas Cage, Julianne Nicholson and Jessica Clement in the Comedy Horror film. A family man starts appearing in strangers’ dreams. And then his life gets even stranger.

Movie opening dates from Internet Movie Database as of Nov. 19 is subject to change.

Three Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes