Megalopolis

2024 - 9 - 26

Megalopolis: Where Ancient Rome Meets Modern-Day Melodrama – Buckle Up!

Adam Driver - Aubrey Plaza - Dystopian Cinema - Film Review - Francis Ford Coppola - Giancarlo Esposito - Megalopolis - Movie Criticism - Nathalie Emmanuel - Political Allegory - Roman Empire

Dive into Coppola's wild ride through politics, passion, and chaos in 'Megalopolis'! Is it a masterpiece or a mess? You decide!

Francis Ford Coppola has been a titan in the film industry for decades, and his highly anticipated film, "Megalopolis," is a testament to his relentless spirit and visionary storytelling. This cinematic venture, rumored to be in the making for over four decades, isn’t just another movie; it’s Coppola’s reflection on historical parallels between ancient Rome and contemporary America. With jaw-dropping visuals and a cast that reads like a Hollywood A-list dream list—including Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, and Aubrey Plaza—Coppola takes us on a whirlwind tour of ambition, political rivalry, and the raw essence of humanity all wrapped in a stylish package full of wild sex and startling violence.

The film explores an architect’s (played by Adam Driver) fevered dreams of grandeur and societal impact, drawing strong comparisons to figures of historical significance in Rome. Critics are already divided; some hail it as a refreshing resurgence of Coppola’s artistry, while others are not shy about their contempt, labeling it pretentious or even a “piece of s—t.” But therein lies the beauty of "Megalopolis"—it’s audacious enough to push boundaries and invite dialogue, whether you’re praising or panning it.

What’s particularly intriguing is Coppola’s bold inclusion of live elements in the script, specifically a scene that features real-time interaction between an actor and Adam Driver’s character. This experimental touch raises many questions about live performance in film and how theaters will adapt to create a seamless audience experience. The stakes are high; will viewers embrace this innovative twist, or will it resonate as another gimmick?

Despite the mixed reviews and heated debates, one thing is clear: "Megalopolis" is a cinematic collage that promises to leave an indelible mark on its audience. With themes that straddled both the sublime and the grotesque, it beckons viewers into a cerebral chaos, reminiscent of Rome at its height.

Fun Fact: Did you know that the notion of America being a modern-day Roman Empire is not entirely new? From the architecture of the Capitol building to concepts of democracy, echoes of Roman influence still resonate throughout U.S. history! Plus, Coppola is famous for pushing boundaries; his film "Apocalypse Now" had its own nightmarish production saga, mirroring the chaotic themes in "Megalopolis."

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Image courtesy of "WVTF"

Whatever you've heard about 'Megalopolis,' see this gutsy Coppola ... (WVTF)

Francis Ford Coppola's epic draws parallels between the U.S. and ancient Rome. Forty-some years in the making, it's got wild sex, startling violence, ...

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Image courtesy of "artsfuse.org"

Film Review: Francis Ford Coppola's "Megalopolis" -- Forty Years in ... (artsfuse.org)

In "Megalopolis," we have Francis Ford Coppola, Titan of Cinema, unleashing his undiluted meditation on Roman History, US History, Political Rivalry and ...

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Image courtesy of "The New Yorker"

“Megalopolis” Is Francis Ford Coppola's Artistic Rejuvenation (The New Yorker)

Richard Brody reviews “Megalopolis,” directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Aubrey Plaza, Nathalie Emmanuel, ...

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Image courtesy of "slantmagazine"

'Megalopolis' Review: Empire State of Mind (slantmagazine)

Francis Ford Coppola's 'Megalopolis' is a film artful enough to fully commit and make good on the idea of America as the new Roman Empire.

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

'Megalopolis' Review: The Fever Dreams of Francis Ford Coppola (The New York Times)

The director's latest is a great-man story about an architect, played by Adam Driver, driven by ideals and big plans. It's a personal statement on an epic ...

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Image courtesy of "SFGate"

'Megalopolis' is a piece of s—t (SFGate)

SFGATE columnist Drew Magary makes a very strong case for why you shouldn't see Francis Ford Coppola's newest film.

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Image courtesy of "IndieWire"

How Will Theaters Handle the Megalopolis Live Scene with Adam ... (IndieWire)

Francis Ford Coppola's 'Megalopolis' features a live scene with a real person speaking to Adam Driver's character. How will it work in wide release?

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Image courtesy of "NPR"

Whatever you've heard about 'Megalopolis,' see this gutsy Coppola ... (NPR)

Francis Ford Coppola's epic draws parallels between the U.S. and ancient Rome. Forty-some years in the making, it's got wild sex, startling violence, ...

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Image courtesy of "Law Society Journal"

Film review: Megalopolis - Law Society Journal (Law Society Journal)

Francis Ford Coppola finally releases his magnum opus. An insane esoteric multi-million dollar project with a lot to say to those willing to hear.

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Francis Ford Coppola and 'Megalopolis': What to Know (The New York Times)

The controversies surrounding the new epic include accusations of on-set problems, a pulled trailer and more.

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Image courtesy of "Rough Draft Atlanta"

'Megalopolis' review: Francis Ford Coppola's epic vision is messy ... (Rough Draft Atlanta)

Frank Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito), the mayor of New Rome – a New York-esque city in the near future – frequently clashes with Cesar Catilina (Adam Driver) over ...

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Image courtesy of "NPR"

'Megalopolis' is a sprawling megalopo-mess (NPR)

Francis Ford Coppola, the legendary filmmaker behind The Godfather trilogy and Apocalypse Now, is back with his first new film in over a decade.

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Image courtesy of "Vulture"

Francis Ford Coppola's 'Megalopolis' Has Already Won (Vulture)

With 'Megalopolis,' Francis Ford Coppola has created a movie we can all fight over. In that sense, maybe he has in fact achieved his dream.

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Image courtesy of "SaportaReport"

'Megalopolis' review: Francis Ford Coppola's epic vision is messy ... (SaportaReport)

Frank Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito), the mayor of New Rome – a New York-esque city in the near future – frequently clashes with Cesar Catilina (Adam Driver) over ...

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Image courtesy of "Vulture"

Megalopolis: An Attempt to Explain Everything That Happens (Vulture)

The wants and aims of Cesar Catilina are twofold: He wants to build a utopia within the city of New Rome, starting with one neighborhood and expanding outward, ...

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Image courtesy of "Mountain Democrat"

Buttered and Salty: 'Megalopolis' (Mountain Democrat)

It has been three days since I attended the screening for Francis Ford Coppola's long in-development passion project “Megalopolis” and, honestly, I still don't ...

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Image courtesy of "GQ Magazine"

'Megalopolis' Opens This Weekend. You Need To See It For Yourself (GQ Magazine)

Francis Ford Coppola's forty-years-in-the-making magnum opus has divided critics—but it's still required viewing.

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Image courtesy of "Hollywood Reporter"

'Megalopolis' Arrives, Adam Brody and Kristen Bell Debut 'Nobody ... (Hollywood Reporter)

Stars Dustin Hoffman, Aubrey Plaza, Nathalie Emmanuel and Giancarlo Esposito joined Francis Ford Coppola (center) at the Megalopolis premiere in NYC on Monday.

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