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Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather) and his dream project. If it feels likeMegalopolishas been talked about countless times over the last 50 years, it’s because the idea was indeed conceived in 1977 and began development a few years later. However, from “debts” to Hollywood after consecutive box office failures to delays caused by terrorist attacks — not to mention a global pandemic — Coppola has been forced to put this unique story on hold decade after decade… until now.
The original idea has remained essentially intact, with the filmmaker’s primary intent being to draw parallels between the fall of the Roman Empire and the future of modern civilization, particularly the American one. On one side, the brilliant architect Cesar Catilina (Adam Driver) seeks to rebuild New York as a New Rome, utopian and idealistic. Opposing him, conservative mayor Franklyn Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito) remains committed to the status quo, perpetuating greed, privilege, and partisan conflict. In the middle of them is socialite Julia Cicero (Nathalie Emmanuel), the mayor’s daughter, whose love for Cesar divides her loyalties, leading her to discover what she truly believes humanity deserves.
MegalopolisReview
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It’s not very common to walk into the theater with a clear idea — or any idea, really — of the general reaction to the film I’m about to see, especially a premiere. However, the anticipation forMegalopoliswas such that it was impossible to avoid the initial opinions originating from the Cannes Film Festival, which, as is increasingly common today, made a big splash on social media. With reactions more grandiose than the movie itself, what became clear was a huge, polarizing divide over this undeniably ambitious story.
And it’s precisely in this tremendously admirable ambition that the frustrating execution problem lies.Megalopolisexplores a myriad of complex themes such as power, ambition, human nature, and societal evolution, mixing elements of philosophy, politics, and drama. It’s a study of human civilization and the potential for a utopian future that combines the best of the Modern Era and Ancient Rome. However, the excessive complexity tied to blending all these topics results in a narrative focus that, despite the main storyline revolving around the conflict between two imposing figures trying to rebuild a city according to their ideas and ideals, is too metaphorical.
The analogies between the fall of the Roman Empire and contemporary American society are constant, but they often take priority over the development of the characters who embody many of the themes that defineMegalopolis. Furthermore, narrative clarity is also negatively impacted by the typical issue of “too many ideas for a single flick,” even one that runs nearly two and a half hours. Several narrative threads are left underdeveloped, and some crucial elements for constructing this futuristic world end up unexplained.
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Visually, though,Megalopolisdeserves much praise. The filming locations, whether real or in-studio, are stunning and incredibly immersive, bringing audiences close to the surreal world Coppola manages to create for the big screen. The overall aesthetic crafted by the production design and visual effects departments, as well as the costume design, stands out for its intentional artificiality that, strangely or not, is extremely captivating. That said, as with every other component of the film, the ambition is such that the visual and even narrative coherence is compromised, making it far from an accessible or easy movie to follow — on the contrary, chaos prevails at various points in the film.
Personally, I find the political confrontation between Cesar and Cicero the most interesting part ofMegalopolis‘ endless web of storylines. From their distinct visions for the city to their differing philosophies – which, perhaps, aren’t so different after all – Driver (Ferrari) and Esposito (Breaking Bad) portray the movie’s most intriguing characters, but Emmanuel (Game of Thrones) surprises with the most solid performance in the entire cast. Aubrey Plaza (Emily the Criminal) might get more shoutouts due to her “meatier” role, but there’s something special about Emmanuel’s performance.
That said, the cast is clearly overstuffed with big Hollywood stars, more to attract general audience attention than to add true value toMegalopolis. Coppola’s script is a chaotic mix of genres, plots, and characters that end up superficially explored and, unfortunately, doesn’t live up to the high expectations of those who have been waiting for this film for decades. Nevertheless, it’s worth seeing on the big screen, if only for the potential last chance to witness a movie by one of the most influential filmmakers in cinema history.
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IsMegalopolisworth watching?
Megalopolisis an ambitious epic that attempts to examine numerous thought-provoking themes, but Coppola’s vision of societal reconstruction reflects both its grandeur and the inherent flaws of its chaotic execution. Despite immersive visuals and a talented cast, the narrative becomes overloaded with metaphors and philosophical analogies, resulting in an experience that, while provocative, feels confusing and scattered. The central conflict between Cesar and Cicero offers intriguing moments, but the richness of the ideas often gets diluted by the film’s excessive complexity. A frustrating disappointment that, even as the creation of one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, still falls prey to the common pitfalls of contemporary cinema.
Megalopolisreleases in theaters on September 27th.
Megalopolis Review — Admirable Ambition Meets Chaotic Execution in Francis Ford Coppola’s Epic
Manuel São Bento
Articles Published :70
Portuguese critic with a tremendous passion for cinema, television, and the art of filmmaking. An unbiased perspective from someone who has stopped watching trailers since 2017.✍️ Portfolio: https://linktr.ee/msbreviews🍅 Rotten Tomatoes approved🪪 OFCS, IFSC, OFTA
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