As a seasoned cinephile with decades of film-watching under my belt, I must say that Francis Ford Coppola‘s body of work is nothing short of extraordinary. From the Godfather trilogy to Apocalypse Now, his films have left an indelible mark on cinema history. However, it’s not always the big blockbusters that resonate most deeply with a director, and this seems to be the case with Coppola and his lesser-known gem, Rumble Fish.
The cinematic works of Francis Ford Coppola are renowned for their timeless excellence, encompassing classics such as “The Godfather Trilogy”, “The Conversation”, and “Apocalypse Now”. While many may recognize his 1983 film “Rumble Fish”, it’s not typically what people associate with Coppola. However, this project is the one he takes the most pride in having created. As his long-awaited passion project “Megalopolis” hits theaters, Coppola recently took over the movie’s social media account for a Q&A session (Ask Me Anything). User CY98 posed a question to the filmmaker:
Which among the films you’ve produced do you consider the one you’re most proud to have created, or the one that seems to embody your vision of cinema as a form of artistic expression?
Coppola responded:
It’s akin to querying which child among seven is the finest. I adore them all, but if pressed for an answer, perhaps I would choose RUMBLEFISH.
The movie “Rumble Fish” is a fashionable tale of growing up, adapted from S.E. Hinton’s 1975 novel with the same title. In this film, Matt Dillon portrays Rusty James, a youthful gang leader in Tulsa, Oklahoma, who seeks purpose and self-discovery following his elder brother’s vanishing act. Although it didn’t perform well financially at the box office, the movie garnered acclaim for its artistic flair and acting performances. A noteworthy ensemble includes Mickey Rourke, Vincent Spano, Nicolas Cage, Diane Lane, Chris Penn, Dennis Hopper, and Diana Scarwid.
The movie was a follow-up to another adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s works directed by Coppola, titled “The Outsiders,” which were both released in 1983. They shared themes of adolescence, camaraderie, and devotion, but “Rumble Fish” stood out for its artistic flair and experimental nature. Filmed in black and white, it was a grittier interpretation of Coppola’s Hinton adaptations. In Film Frenzy’s critique of the film, Matt Brunson aptly compared the two movies, stating:
If The Outsiders resonated with a wide audience as a work by S.E. Hinton, then Rumble Fish appears to have been crafted specifically for audiences who appreciate artistic and thought-provoking stories.
Francis Ford Coppola Feels Most Connected to A Megalopolis Character
During his Q&A session on X, Coppola was also queried: “Of all your characters, which one do you feel is most akin to yourself?” His answer was Cesar Catilina, the main character in Megalopolis. Since Coppola has been trying to bring his sci-fi masterpiece to life since the 1980s and has even financed the project himself, this response isn’t entirely unexpected. As described by the film’s synopsis, Cesar Catilina is a “visionary artist advocating for an ideal future.” In the movie, Adam Driver portrays Cesar Catilina, sharing the screen with Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel, Laurence Fishburne, Aubrey Plaza, and Shia LaBeouf.
Although the movie Megalopolis boasts impressive visuals and a grand scale, it has fallen short of captivating both viewers and critics. The allegations of inappropriate behavior behind-the-scenes haven’t helped its cause either. While some critics criticize the film’s complex plot and slow pace, others praise Coppola’s ambitious project as a visually stunning and thought-provoking experience. Regardless of whether this latest offering from the director measures up to his finest works, it showcases his daring approach to filmmaking.
Megalopolis is now in theaters.
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2024-10-05 20:33