Long before Pinterest aesthetics or hashtags about "girlhood" started trending, Coppola was determined to make films that spoke to the experiences of people she felt weren’t taken seriously by the film canon or society at large.
Sofia Coppola turns 55 today, and as she’s probably my favourite director of all time, it’s only right that I celebrate a few favourites from her filmography. Writing this piece feels extra fitting given that I’m also in the middle of a Master’s thesis on her work, which has only made me more appreciative of the unique pieces of art she’s given to me and so many other girls growing up. Long before Pinterest aesthetics or hashtags about "girlhood' started trending, Coppola was determined to make films that spoke to the experiences of people she felt weren’t taken seriously by the film canon or society at large, and she hasn’t wavered in this mission. And so, whether you like her films for the pretty pinks and blues of the set designs, the generation-spanning soundtracks, or the unflinching look at loneliness and depression found in so many of their young women, it’s undeniable that Coppola has had an impact on youth culture today and the world of film as a whole.
The Virgin Suicides (1999)
It would be ridiculous to start this discussion anywhere other than her debut film, 1999’s The Virgin Suicides. It’s based on the novel of the same name by Jeffrey Eugenides, and is both a masterful work of adaptation as well as being a great film in its own right. What makes this adaptation so impressive is that it maintains the same quality of mystery and limited perspective that the book takes (with the story being told completely from the point of view of the neighborhood boys), while managing to capture the spirit of girlhood in that unique way Coppola has become known for. I don’t want to think about what another (male) director might have done with the story, because Coppola’s interpretation of it feels so spot on, both honouring and expanding the source text. While her true breakthrough might have come with 2003’s Lost in Translation (which won her a Best Original Screenplay Oscar and was nominated in three other categories), I’ll always turn to this film as the first true introduction of Coppola’s signature style and thematic interests. It also marked her first collaboration with Kirsten Dunst, a relationship which is central to Coppola’s filmography as a whole.
Available to rent or buy at home
Marie Antoinette (2006)
Speaking of Dunst, the two would team back up for Coppola’s third feature, Marie Antoinette. I think it’s safe to say this is a fan favourite for many, and it’s really interesting to look at how that’s developed over the years. The film was famously booed at its premiere in Cannes (though there was applause, too), and Coppola has spoken about the general sense that people didn’t "get it" at the time it came out. Since then, it’s gained a true cult following, and people seem to (finally) be waking up to the fact that having fun with historical period dramas can be a great expression of creativity. The mix of period-accurate and modern music in the soundtrack makes the film feel alive, especially when it's accompanied by colourful pastel montages of desserts, dresses, or lavish interiors. And we can’t forget that iconic pair of Converse.
Available to rent or buy at home and to watch on HBO Max
The Bling Ring (2013)
This one might not be the most critically acclaimed item in Coppola’s filmography, but on this day of celebration, it deserves a spot! Everything about this film is ridiculous, over-the-top, and completely entertaining. Emma Watson’s valley-girl accent alone deserves some kind of award, along with her delivery of "I wanna rob." Even though the tone might be vastly different from something like Virgin Suicides or Lost in Translation, there are throughlines in things like the prominent soundtrack and the focus on materiality and characters’ cluttered spaces. Plus, Romy Mars has said it’s the best of her mom’s films, so that’s gotta count for something.
Available to rent or buy at home, and to watch Netflix US, Crave Canada and Prime Video
Priscilla (2023)
Priscilla is Coppola’s most recent narrative feature, and in many ways it feels like a descendant of Marie Antoinette (albeit a much less campy one). Cailee Spaeny’s performance as Priscilla Presley over several years is nothing short of wonderful, and I can’t think of many other people who would be able to believably embody this character at each of the ages we see her. Add in Jacob Elordi as Elvis, and there’s something really special here. I think many people, myself included, were somewhat surprised by how good Elordi was in the part – this is a testament to him, of course, but also to Coppola’s vision of what this version of the story could look like. Once again, she proves herself an expert at capturing an experience of teenage and young womanhood, made all the more tumultuous when you’re married to someone like Elvis Presley. The shot of Priscilla leaving Graceland while Dolly Parton’s "I Will Always Love You" plays is the cherry on top of this beautiful and quite haunting film.
Available to rent or buy at home, and to watch on TUBI
Happy Birthday, Sofia!
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