“Megalopolis” is the newest film by world-renowned, Oscar winning director Francis Ford Coppola. After around 40 years in the making, the sci-fi drama was released in theaters on Sept. 27.
Though Coppola self-funded the movie and is hailed as one of the best directors in cinema history, the movie has come across a lot of controversy. Upon release to the public, the film was met with negative reviews. With its whopping budget of 120 million, the film only made 10 million worldwide.
The film boasts a large and impressive production design. The setting feels utopian, and due to its fable-like narrative, the visuals are so outlandish they appear fake. Though it can be distracting, it contributes to the spectacle that Megalopolis claims to be. Overall, the movie’s gold color theme is extravagant, eye-catching, memorable, and works well with the narrative.
The costumes are perfect for the overall image of the film. Characters wear modernized and stylized versions of wonderfully adorned ancient Greek-inspired attire that reflects the glamorous lifestyles of the characters. The makeup ties in beautifully with the use of blacks, white and golds in the costuming to create an idyllic image of beauty and wealth.
Adam Driver leads a star-studded cast featuring Giancarlo Esposito, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Chloe Fineman, Dustin Hoffman, Jon Voight and Nathalie Emmanuel. Driver gives a standout performance as he helms the cast with great emotional impact.
Plaza in particular is showstopping; her powerhouse performance is one of the reasons the movie is worth watching. Her dynamic performance as a journalist who’s trying to work her way up the ladder of wealth and greed is one of the best of the year.
The movie starts out slowly, but it starts to pick up once we see an interaction between Emmanuel and Driver’s characters. The trailers don’t convey a film about love, but that’s exactly what this film is. Emmanuel and Driver portray a beautiful story of choosing to love someone despite family and societal pressures to not do so. It is one of the best plot points of the film.
The plot can be confusing to the point where you would need to know about Coppola’s life to understand certain things he was trying to achieve. It’s a complex film that feels long, therefore people might need to go see it twice to pick up on details. This makes the film inaccessible for the general audience.
Should you have to know the struggles of a young Coppola to understand that Adam Driver’s character has autobiographical intent? This targeted appeal to a certain audience could contribute to the film’s box office flop but goes to show Coppola’s dedication to the art and his admirable belief in this passion project.
Some moviegoers are taking to social media to insult the movie, others are insulting the people who don’t “get” the movie. No matter what you like, there is something in this movie that is enjoyable. The production design is out of this world. The acting keeps the movie engaging. The visuals are entertaining throughout. For the optimal viewing experience, go in with an open mind.
“Megalopolis” is now available to watch in theaters.
