Thinking, probably correctly, that Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis movie would be out of theaters next week so, I went to see it Tuesday while it's still in theaters.
The famed, 85-year-old director of The Godfather series and Apocalypse Now self financed, directed and produced the film over the last few decades or so because no studio or distributor would touch it with a 10-ft pole. He spent $135 million on the film, which in its opening week has only pulled in $4 million. I was alone with a stranger in the theater. Critics that I've read have been overwhelmingly negative about the film, but on Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 48% positive rating from critics but only a 34% rating from audiences. its critics often calling the film "a mess."
This disjointed, 2-hour movie seems about an hour too long, it was the most visually stunning but confusing and bizarre film I've seen in a ,long time. It could have used a tighter narrative-style plot, better dialogue,and even better acting from some of the high-powered stars in this film.
Taking place in "New Rome," which looks like a combination between the ancient Rome and its modern parallel, which is meant to be New York City/America, many critics often calling the film "a mess." However, one must say that the steampunk look of the city, the retro looking cars, and often beautiful costumes are high points.
Adam Driver is Cesar Catalina, a young artist/architect who does more talking in the film than building. He's very chatty, speaking about 80% of the entire film dialogue, from the opaque statement, "Don't let the Now destroy the forever." To the more profound but rather bland truism, "We're in need of a great debate about the future."
Society in New Rome is messed up, with Cesar saying he has been appointed head of a design commission, but we also learn his major opponent is the mayor Franklyn Cicero, played by Giancarlo Esposito (Gus Fring from Breaking Bad!) who just won reelection, but is said to be extremely unpopular and losing power by the day. If you know anything about politics, that doesn't make any sense.
If he was losing power and is unpopular how was he reelected? And he would have made more sense as a state senator, like the Cicero of ancient Rome was a senator. (Did Coppola even think this through?)
Nathalie Emmanuel is the mayor's daughter, Julia, who happens to be dating Cesar. After a whirlwind romance, they get married in an elaborate ancient Roman style wedding. Latin phrases and words are spread throughout the film, to drive home the point modern day America is like the old Rome. In a wedding reception after the ceremony, vestal virgins appear in order to dance for the attendees.
The analogy we are meant to draw is between a corrupt and falling ancient Rome and a modern-day America. Audiences will have a hard time missing the point, but that is the only thing clear in this movie.
Also in the film, but barely making appearances, are Shia Lebeouf, Aubrey Plaza, Jon Bought, and in a complete waste of this great actors talents, Laurence Fishburne plays the mayor's driver and aide throughout the film.
If you find a discount night at the theater, where someone buys your ticket, go ahead and see this while it's still there, just to show that you did see it. Otherwise, wait until it's streaming in a month or two.
