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- What Is Megalopolis About?
- The Polarizing Response to Megalopolis
- The Redeeming Values of Megalopolis, Explained
As a film enthusiast who has been following Coppola’s career since his early days at the American Zoetrope, I must say that the accusation of Megalopolis being the worst movie made in decades is quite an exaggeration, to put it mildly.
After years of eager waiting, Francis Ford Coppola’s grand sci-fi production titled Megalopolis was unveiled to audiences on September 27, 2024. Unfortunately, this cinematic event turned out to be a massive disappointment at the box office, grossing only $6.2 million compared to its $120 million production cost (according to Box Office Mojo). As one of the most critically panned films of the year, Megalopolis could potentially tarnish Coppola’s esteemed reputation as a legendary American filmmaker.
Despite facing numerous criticisms and underperforming at the box office, it seems that Megalopolis may not be as poorly received as its reputation suggests. Although the film might fall short in delivering a captivating narrative, it excels in stunning visuals, remarkable acting performances, and thought-provoking themes about the decline of a democracy. Moreover, the movie serves as an inspiring reminder to artists that taking risks is crucial for realizing their true creative vision, regardless of commercial outcomes.
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What Is Megalopolis About?
For over four decades, director Francis Ford Coppola has poured his personal savings of $120 million into creating “Megalopolis,” an expansive, incredibly ambitious science fiction story that draws inspiration from the “Catilinarian Conspiracy in 63 BC.” The film is set in a parallel reality of contemporary America and follows the idealistic architect, Cesar Catilina (played by Adam Driver), who dreams of rebuilding New Rome as a utopia called Megalopolis. However, his vision faces opposition from Franklyn Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito), a corrupt Mayor determined to maintain power by preserving the current system and keeping the masses subjugated.
Although the fundamental conflict in the script appears straightforward, the on-screen storyline turns chaotic and confusing with its lengthy 138-minute duration. In an effort to innovate cinematically through advanced technology and editing techniques, this experiment unfortunately goes awry for Coppola, leaving spectators either bursting into laughter at the absurdity or perplexed in complete bewilderment. Frequently, they find themselves experiencing both feelings simultaneously. For a legendary filmmaker like Coppola, who has gifted us timeless masterpieces such as The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, the audience anticipated a captivating and transcendent cinematic journey.
A more straightforward way of expressing this could be: “It’s misleading to claim that Megalopolis is merely suffering from high expectations. If compared only to Coppola’s masterpieces, Megalopolis struggles to convey its grand narrative in a clear, emotional manner, with each spectacular set piece disconnected rather than seamlessly linked. Instead, the film feels more like a collection of loosely connected scenes. However, Megalopolis aspires to offer viewers not just a story but an innovative and challenging cinematic art experience.
The Polarizing Response to Megalopolis
In terms of business, it’s clear that the film Megalopolis didn’t fare well at all on the global box office, earning just $6.2 million against its hefty $120 million production cost borne by Coppola himself. This financial performance has made Megalopolis one of the biggest flops of 2024 and potentially beyond. Given its poor performance in cinemas, one might anticipate a similarly unfavorable critical reception. However, surprisingly, Megalopolis boasts an average Metascore of 55, IMDb rating of 5.1, Rotten Tomatoes Rating of 47%, and a PostTrak score of 49%. This shows just how divided the opinions about this movie remain.
In a variety of review platforms, Megalopolis boasts an approximately 50% approval rating, suggesting that it’s not as poorly received as its harshest critics claim. The film has sparked heated discussions among both professional critics and casual viewers, with opinions evenly split between those who praise and those who criticize the movie. Notable positive reviews come from IndieWire, The Telegraph, Rolling Stone, The L.A. Times, The AV Club, and The Hollywood Reporter. However, these favorable reviews are balanced by negative assessments from Variety, The Guardian, Screen Daily, Collider, and other outlets, leading to a lively debate about the film’s ambition versus its execution.
Beyond the initial skepticism, the reception to Megalopolis on Letterboxd reinforces that the movie surpasses expectations. Despite the humorous title twist “Mega-Flopolis” that’s hard to miss, numerous viewers make compelling arguments as to why the film resonates with them. Among the crowd, James Schaffrillas stands out as the most eloquent advocate for the film, praising it in his review. With approximately 1,700 likes, his thoughtful defense of Megalopolis is well-received by many.
I was equally amazed and confused by this movie. I don’t require a clear plot or logical magic system to enjoy a film like this; in fact, I was drawn into several captivating scenes. Yet, despite these positive aspects, I felt slightly disappointed due to the absence of significant character development throughout the movie. It seems that Cesar remains unchanged regardless of his experiences, which contributes significantly to the ending feeling unsatisfying and unearned.
For those who can get past the campy and cartoonish characters, the lack of narrative cogency, and the unsatisfying ending, Megalopolis has several redeeming qualities that discredit the claim it’s the worst movie made in decades.
The Redeeming Values of Megalopolis, Explained
In spite of its confusing narrative that’s hard to keep track of, Megalopolis remains a singularly captivating cinematic journey. Critics who criticized the movie acknowledge the impressive acting skills displayed by Adam Driver and Aubrey Plaza. As The Telegraph review puts it:
Aubrey Plaza delivers an outstanding performance in this immersive film that explores power struggles among the high society of New Rome.
In the storyline, Plaza portrays a character called Wow Platinum, a captivating seductress who initially develops feelings for Cesar, then later finds herself attracted to his wealthy uncle Crassus (played by Jon Voight), and eventually also to Cesar’s cousin Clodio (performed by Shia LaBeouf). As stated in The L.A. Times review:
After giving up the realistic expectation that Coppola will deliver another masterpiece, there’s plenty to appreciate about ‘Megalopolis,’ particularly the dedicated performances of its actors, who seemingly relished their roles, likely because it was part of the job description.
In addition to Plaza’s captivating acting and Driver’s impressive portrayal, the movie stands out for its stunning visual effects and groundbreaking digital cinematography. Even critics who compare it to a puzzling mess like the film “Southland Tales” acknowledge the breathtaking visual excellence that Coppola achieves with her cinematographer Mihai Malaimare Jr. and Special Effects Supervisor John S. Baker. As Sethsreviews points out on Letterboxd:
[Megalopolis] Represents a profound culmination of Francis’ career, building upon his late-period works and drawing on elements from some of his earlier visually extravagant projects. It is an attempt by one individual to build a paradise within a society that is rapidly deteriorating. I have little doubt that we won’t witness more captivating visuals for some time; it’s a visual banquet, with some truly breathtaking moments, particularly in the final act.
Despite Megalopolis having a disjointed narrative and some flaws, it’s not completely hopeless. The idea that it’s the worst film made in years and will tarnish Coppola’s respected reputation is greatly exaggerated. At the very least, Megalopolis can be seen as a captivating failure, one that boldly attempts to shatter the current cinematic boundaries. Currently playing in select theaters, Megalopolis.
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2024-10-06 21:31