When Sofia Coppola's name is attached to a project, you can anticipate an evocative and deeply human experience. "Priscilla," her latest work, does not disappoint. Released in Fall 2023, the bio pic reframes the narrative surrounding Elvis and Priscilla Presley's relationship. This time, the story shares a slightly more haunting and tragic perspective. What did the film reveal about the Presley love story that may be new to the public? Are the depictions accurate? What does the narrative add to the controversy over the Presley family legacy? Trust & Will investigates.
A Feminine Perspective Casts a Shadow on the King
It's not every day we get to watch a biography that takes a beloved narrative and all but reverses it. Almost all biographies starring Elvis Presley, "the King of Rock and Roll," paints his partner Priscilla Presley almost akin to a decorative piece in his life. To be fair, his large stature, personality, and aura could overshadow just about anyone.
"Priscilla," however, shares a new perspective in which Priscilla takes center stage. Typically relegated to a supporting role in her husband's story, this time, she is cast in the role as the tragic heroine. Analysts of the film find the focus on Priscilla’s experiences—the expectations, the restraints, the personal strife—to be its most compelling aspect.
Audiences journey through her life as Coppola crafts each scene with intimate detail, allowing the audience to feel Priscilla's aspirations, her private ordeals, and the strength it took to carve out a space for herself despite the shadow cast by Elvis's spotlight. The film doesn't shy away from the complexities of their relationship or the toll of fame on personal identity. It’s a story that also takes a critical look at the societal expectations of women during the era, encouraging a deeper reflection on how these narratives shape our understanding of history and the individuals within it.
Coppola paints cold, lonely scenes that are hard to shake. It's a side to the Presley story that leaves viewers thinking long after the credits roll. The cinematography, the score, and the reserved yet expressive performance by the cast pull us into a tale of isolation and the stark reality of living in the grand palace of a world-renowned superstar.
Implications for Elvis, Priscilla, and the Presley Family's Legacy
The Presley legacy is already riddled with controversy. You can read our coverage of the Presley family estate battle here, which discusses the possible future of the Presley estate. Under Priscilla's management, the estate grew from roughly $5 million at the time of Elvis' death to $500 million in today's dollars. However, the ultimate outcome for the family estate is uncertain, especially after the sudden and tragic death of Lisa Marie Presley (Elvis and Priscilla's sole daughter) just last year.
The film provides an alternate perspective that is inarguably provocative. Until now, there has been a general consensus surrounding the Presley family narrative. With "Priscilla," Coppola is asking of us to possibly reconfigure an unrelenting adoration of an icon.
The nuanced portrayal of Elvis and Priscilla's love story makes one think. Previous biographies have been centering around The King's trials and triumphs. Instead, "Priscilla" offers a more haunting perspective in which Elvis overshadows and overpowers Priscilla. Although it's not a narrative of scorn or menace per se, it asks a question as to whether Priscilla was molded into Elvis' "perfect wife." The film repeatedly highlights the Presley's ten-year age difference, with a hint of predatory and manipulative behavior. In 1985, Priscilla wrote "when we met, I was an impressionable 14-year-old. He was 24."
In a surprising turn of events before her untimely passing, Lisa Marie Presley voiced her strong disapproval of the upcoming film about her father. According to Time, Sofia Coppola had sent her a copy of the script. Upon reviewing it, Lisa Marie sent Coppola a series of emails expressing her concern and dissatisfaction. She described the script as "shockingly vengeful and contemptuous," and didn't find the portrayal of her father to be accurate. Lisa Marie's emails reveal that not all members of the Presley family share her mother's enthusiasm for the project.
Lisa Marie expressed her concerns that the film portrayed her father solely as a predator and manipulator, failing to capture his true essence and neglecting her mother's perspective. She warned Coppola that she would publicly oppose the film and might even speak out against her mother Priscilla, who supported the project.
Coppola responded by hoping that Lisa Marie's opinion would change once she saw the final cut of the film. The filmmaker assured Lisa Marie that she was taking great care to honor her mother while presenting Elvis with sensitivity and complexity.
Controversy Surrounding the Graceland Estate
The emails, which were obtained by Variety Magazine ahead of the film's release, shed light on implied impacts that the movie may have on the Presley estate, which was amidst some controversy over its administration.
According to Time, Priscilla requested a judge to confirm her role as a Trustee of Lisa Marie's estate, just a few weeks after her passing.
A 2016 document disclosed that Priscilla and her daughter's former manager, Barry Siegel (whom she sued for $100 million due to mismanagement of her finances), were removed as Co-Trustees in her Will. They had been replaced by Lisa Marie's two children, Riley and Benjamin Keough (who passed away by suicide in July 2020).
In May, Priscilla announced that the legal dispute had been settled out of court. Subsequently, Riley Keough requested to become the Sole Trustee of her mother's estate. In August 2023, the court approved this petition, the two parties reached a settlement three months later.
As part of the settlement, Priscilla will receive a $1 million lump sum payment from Lisa Marie's $25 million life insurance policy, as well as an annual payment of $100,000. This payment is for her role as a Special Advisor of the Promenade Trust, which is related to Elvis Presley Enterprises' shareholder interest, as reported by People Magazine. This is a non-fiduciary role.
Despite the legal issues and concerns, both Priscilla and Riley Keough, Lisa Marie's daughter, have denied any rift between them. Priscilla clarified that she and Riley are on good terms and emphasized the importance of protecting Graceland and the Presley family's legacy. Riley echoed her grandmother's sentiments, expressing her desire to preserve the family's history and honor their legacy.
Estate Planning Insights from the Presley Case
The public has a long-lasting fascination with Elvis' life and legacy. While Coppola's film reflects complex human experiences and emotions, Lisa Marie's visceral reaction to her father's portrayal implies that these representations can have a very personal impact. That is, not only on family members, but also on legal issues such as an estate administration battle.
The ongoing discussions surrounding the film also sheds light on the challenges a family can face when managing a prominent legacy.
This brings estate planning to the forefront. It is a critical as of safeguarding not only financial assets but also preserving a family's narrative and legacy—especially those that are watched under the public eye. The intent behind such planning isn't merely to state who inherits what, but to lay the groundwork for how a story will be told and a legacy honored. Thoughtful estate planning can help ensure that one's reputation and family legacy are remembered and managed in the way they want, even after they are no longer here to control the narrative.
For example, a Trust is a powerful estate planning tool that can protect financial assets, but reputational assets as well. You can, for example, exert control over how your estate shall be used or even mentioned (both during your lifetime and after you pass away.) You can even include stipulations that will guide how your life and achievements will be portrayed. In other words, it gives you the opportunity to control the narrative.
You can also defend against potentially damaging legal disputes by carefully appointing your Executors, Trustees, and other trusted players surrounding your estate plan. While we can't control everything, these are tried and true legal frameworks that give you a voice over how things should play out after you pass away. You can and should play an active part in steering what will happen to your legacy and your family's legacy.
While asset distribution is often the primary focus, the emotional and historical aspects should not be overlooked, as they are critical to preserving history for future generations.
Preserving Your Legacy Through Thoughtful Estate Planning
In this essay, we discussed the profound impact that thoughtful estate planning can have on preserving your family's narrative and legacy. We've seen how tools like Trusts not only safeguard financial assets but also reputational ones, allowing you to shape how your estate or person is mentioned or used after your passing. By appointing the right Executors and Trustees, you can mitigate legal disputes and maintain a degree of control over how your legacy endures.
Making the decision to start an estate plan is a step towards peace of mind and preserving your life story for generations to come. It's more than just numbers and legal documents; it's about ensuring that the wealth of experiences, achievements, and values that define you continue to resonate and guide your loved ones in the future. We understand that delving into estate planning can feel overwhelming, but remember, you're not alone in this journey. Take the first step —your story is worth telling, and we're here to help ensure it's told exactly how you envision it. Find out more about how you can get started with Trust & Will today.
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