This great director, acclaimed by critics and the public, releases his new film, but unfortunately it is not a success.
Two Palme d’Ors, 5 Oscars… Francis Ford Coppola has acquired a stature within Hollywood since his beginnings in the 1960s, to the point that some consider him one of the greatest directors of all time. This is thanks to acclaimed productions, from the trilogy of Godfather has Apocalypse Nowpassing by Secret conversationHis latest film, which is released in theaters this week, is logically highly anticipated.
Megalopolis is a fable that uses the Roman Empire as a parable to tell the story of America’s decadence. In the fictional city of New Rome, two visions clash: the idealistic and ambitious one of a brilliant architect who wants to make life an ecological temple, and that of a corrupt mayor who is resistant to change. In the middle, the mayor’s daughter, who loves the architect, tries to reconcile the views of each.
We have seen Megalopolis during its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 16. And while the film divided the audience between the ultra-conquered and the ultra-disappointed, it is clear that we are in the latter category. The fault lies in a totally failed execution, served by a bloated staging (despite a few flashes of brilliance and good ideas) and a heavy and pompous writing on the excesses of corrupt America, which ultimately does not tell you much that is new. Prepare yourself to hear Latin, to see yourself declaiming Shakespeare, or to listen to quotes from Marcus Aurelius, without really detecting the slightest interest in them.
For a film that wants to talk about the future, everything is already old, from the archaic vision of women, to the opposition of the two camps that is very Manichean and therefore without nuance (the idealistic artist who carries within him the future of civilization versus the corrupt rich who hinder the progress of the other). The myriad of actors (Adam Driver, Shia LaBeouf, Giancarlo Esposito, Aubrey Plaza…), which promised a monumental work, is not enough to avoid disaster, since none of them really seem to play in the same film.
If French criticism has been very critical of MegalopolisAmericans have been more lenient with Francis Ford Coppola and have been seduced by this $120 million project, self-financed by the director. Among the positive reviews, some praise the filmmaker’s vision or his visual ambition. It’s the public’s turn to decide, since the film is released this Wednesday, September 25 in France.