REVIEW: Coppola New Film ‘Megalopolis,’ a Decadent Dystopia and Struggle For Humanity
Megalopolis, Francis Ford Coppola’s new film, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, marking his return after 45 years. It is set in an opulent “New Rome,” a modern-day American dystopia full of lust, greed, drugs, corruption, jealousy, and lots of bad behavior, which has it crumbling and in need of change.
Starring Adam Driver as Ceaser Catalina, a visionary who has the ability to stop time, looking to build a new world for the love and sake of humanity, is thwarted by rival Giancarlo Esposito as Mayor Franklyn Cicero who has a messy past with Ceaser that doesn’t hit a brick wall until daughter, Julia, played by Nathalie Emmanuel (Fast and Furious), has a budding relationship with Catalina which has her father risking it all to bring it to a halt.
The film is spectacular in its world-building, and the production has you escaping to an Art Deco golden modern concrete landscape as you watch Catlina and Cicero duke it out publicly with a The Great Gatsby meets Dark Knight feel.
There are a whole lot of shady characters to grab on to in between the mentioned duo’s conflict, including a reputable banker, Hamilton Crassus III (John Voight), and the shady Clodio Pulcher (Shia LaBeouf), who gets himself involved in an attempt to take over his banking empire and is busy trying to rule the world on his own time. He’s got some help from the past lover of Catalina, a news journalist, and temptress Wow Platinum (Aubrey Plaza), who sets her eyes on Crassus and his fortune.
‘Megalopolis’ first thoughts performance-wise, the females were standouts, including Nathalie Emmanuel, who seemed perfect for this sensitive, stoic, and jet-setting political figure's daughter after seeing her shine in Game of Thrones. Aubrey Plaza, as Wow, chewed the boys and…
— Nikki Fowler (@NikkiFowler28) May 16, 2024
There is a lot to chew on in Megalopolis, and it’s not for the weak at heart who doesn’t like a good thought-provoking film filled with button-pushing triggers of “if we don’t change, we will destroy ourselves.” Megalopolis has a lot to take in, and the first hour may drag for some, on where the film is really going. How much decadence and trifling behavior does one need to absorb, and what’s the point; a few viewers did walk out of Cannes early screening. However, viewers will be pleasantly surprised at the twists and turns that unfold in these well-formed characters mentioned, which are relatable but still not quite of this world.
Performance-wise, the females were standouts, including Nathalie Emmanuel, who seemed perfect for this sensitive, stoic, and jet-setting political figure’s daughter after seeing her shine in Game of Thrones. Aubrey Plaza, as Wow, chewed the boys and spat them out, and it was super entertaining to watch her in action, from news host to seductress to master manipulator. Laurence Fishburne and Adam Driver can really do no wrong.
Megalopolis Imax Global Release will be limited, and its release date is contingent on U.S. distribution. It may be released in late September in IMAX across 20 US Cities. Watch the trailer below.
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