MEGALOPOLIS – “A spectacular mess from start to finish”

megalopolis

RATING

DIRECTOR

Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola

MAIN CAST

Adam Driver as Cesar Catilina
Giancarlo Esposito as Mayor Franklyn Cicero
Nathalie Emmanuel as Julia Cicero
Aubrey Plaza as Wow Platinum
Shia LaBeouf as Clodio Pulcher
Jon Voight as Hamilton Crassus III
Laurence Fishburne as Fundi Romaine (the film's narrator)
Talia Shire as Constance Crassus Catilina
Jason Schwartzman as Jason Zanderz
Kathryn Hunter as Teresa Cicero
Grace VanderWaal as Vesta Sweetwate
Chloe Fineman as Clodia Pulcher
James Remar as Charles Cothope
D. B. Sweeney as Commissioner Stanley Hart

SYNOPSIS

In a decaying metropolis called New Rome, idealist architect Cesar Catilina is granted a license by the federal government to demolish and rebuild the city as a sustainable utopia using Megalon, a material that can give him the power to control space and time. His nemesis, Mayor Franklyn Cicero, remains committed to a regressive status quo. Torn between them is Franklyn's socialite daughter and Cesar's love interest Julia, who, tired of the influence she inherited, searches for her life's meaning.

REVIEW SUMMARY

I’m sorry to say, but Francis Ford Coppola’s passion project, the decades-in-the-making Megalopolis, is a spectacular mess from start to finish. What we get is essentially a 2-hour-plus fever dream of a fable filled with unintentional laughs. Yes, the cringe is strong with this one. But, here’s the thing, it’s quite the technically sound film. Yep, Megalopolis is admittedly remarkably wonderful to look at - beautiful even. The purposely garish and dreamy visuals are impressive, there’s no question about that. The performances, on the hand, they are more of a mixed bag. It’s not that anybody is especially “bad,” rather they all felt like they were in a different movie – each doing their own thing. Adam Driver is committed and likable enough in our lead role, but Shia LaBeouf’s over-the-top output feels like something straight from a Shakespearean stage play. Plus, I’m pretty sure Aubrey Plaza thought she was making a campy comedy. Regardless, however, she’s incredibly entertaining. Speaking of amusing, I suppose that’s a polite way of describing Jon Voight in this movie. Let’s just say he makes some odd (possibly drunk?) choices. Not doing anybody any favors here is the film’s scattershot pacing, It’s awkwardly assembled - at best. There’s also a randomness to the proceedings. Shia LaBeouf in a dress? A virgin popstar scandal? And, biggest of all – Adam Driver’s ability to stop time? Oh yes, there’s a lot going on here, and sadly not everything makes sense narratively. That’s because the whole shebang is one big artsy metaphor with social commentary galore. Coppola is saying a lot in this film, and there are certainly important messages at hand. For one, there’s a rousing theme around the fragility of empires and how it only takes a few to send it crumbling. But, amidst the philosophical ponderings and modern-day comparison exists a laborious exercise in tedium and eyerolls. And, as advertised, this film will definitely be polarizing. So, have at cinephiles, Megalopolis is ripe for your dissection.

BOX OFFICE TOP 5

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