‘Megalopolis’ Review – Bold And Personal But Also Disastrous And Lifeless [Cannes 2024]

Where to begin with Megalopolis, the 120 million dollar endeavour by writer and filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola (Bram Stoker’s Dracula, The Godfather)? After sitting for more than forty years on the idea and having trouble finding financiers (which is also why the majority of the budget came out of his pocket), the highly anticipated feature has finally arrived. The film, which was supposed to be his magnum opus, is as bold and personal as you would expect but also disastrous and lifeless at the same time.

On the surface, Megalopolis is just a modern take on a traditional Roman story of two strong-willed politicians, Caesar Catilina (Adam Driver) and Mayor Franklyn Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito), fighting for power, support and the realisation of their vision of what looks like a Roman version of New York. Caesar is the most powerful of the two, as this brilliant visionary comes from the wealthiest family in the empire and can freeze time. On top of that, he’s in love with Mayor Franklyn’s daughter Julia (Nathalie Emmanuel). We can only speculate whether that’s purely out of love or to get closer to his rival, but their relationship causes personal and political friction.

While Mayor Franklyn is the underdog in the political race, Esposito (Abigail, Parish) is not inferior to Driver (65, The Last Duel). On the contrary, both actors are the driving force behind this all-over-the-place movie. Esposito’s commanding presence gives the Major the sturdiness and ambition he needs in times of crisis and rapid change. Driver fiercely embodies the genius who’s still grief-stricken because of his wife’s mysterious death but who also has a much more positive outlook on the future of his city and on love. Both actors and their characters have much to offer to the film and the on-screen society. For example, while the Major is going all in for social improvements and practical solutions to be able to lift his city to new heights, Caesar is discovering a new material, megalon (which will be the stepping stone for his future city) and innovative technological equipment.

When looking at the broader framework of the feature, you’ll see that the fellow actors will all portray a rich and important man. Throughout the movie’s 138-minute runtime (which feels much longer than it actually is), you’re being introduced to banking magnate Hamilton Crassus III (Jon Voight), an important commissioner (D.B. Sweeney), and an upcoming young political figure (Shia LaBeouf).

We just wished the female characters were as powerful as their male counterparts. Maybe in Ancient Rome, women were much more obedient and unmotivated. Still, you would think that women would have much more personality, energy and importance because of the modern take on things. Sadly, that’s not the case here. The magnetic, stunning and humorous Aubrey Plaza (Emily the Criminal, Child’s Play) does excel, though, as the television and fame-hungry journalist Wow Platinum. It’s a shame that her character is once again a woman who sleeps her way to the top and conducts her interviews in very skimpy outfits.

There’s also a notch to the female singers out there, as, during one of the scenes, a packed arena is being treated to an emotional performance by Vesta Sweetwater (Grace VanderWaal). There would be nothing wrong with the song or the performance if it weren’t for the fact that while the number is about being pure and a virgin, Grace is being unmasked as being not who she claims to be after the leakage of a sex tape. Clearly, female singers all fall from grace.

The only character who has a sense of self and can stand her ground in the male-dominated world is Julia. She says ‘Daddy’ way too much for the audience to take her seriously 100%, and she’s also there (to a certain degree) to reassure Caesar that he’s doing a good job, but Julia still has ambition and a dream she wants to fulfil. The excellent Emmanuel (The Invitation, Game of Thrones) doesn’t have much to work with, though, cause unlike the characters who don’t mind getting their hands dirty (in the nasty sense of the word), Julia is being underused.

Not only the characters are a mixed bag but also the visuals. Coppola succeeds in captivating this film’s boldness and grandiose aspect and the world he created. The skyscrapers are filmed from the ant’s eye point of view, while the characters are captured naturally. He makes it look like you’re there to witness the events in real life. Another aspect you will be able to witness right from your seat is probably the biggest ‘breaking the fourth wall’ break there is. We won’t tell you exactly what happens, but first, be prepared for the lights to go on mid-screening, and second, we already feel sorry for the cinema staff working during that screening.

However, when the special effects are added to the visuals, this film loses its grandiose vibe. Most of the budget has been spent on GCI, but to ensure that that big budget was worth its money, the effects should have been much enhanced and improved, or the budget should have gone to a better writing team and a tighter script. The special effects look cheap and lifeless, and they do away with the intensity of the storylines and the few strong performances. Another knock-off aspect is the costume designs. Ancient Rome is famous for its glorious and glamorous dresses and gowns, but when looking at the clothes in this feature, it feels like the costume team just went to a dress-up store and asked for a gladiator or priestess costume.

Megalopolis is one of the most divisive Cannes films this year, and opinions will probably be even more varied once and if the movie has its wider release. One thing we can all agree on, though, is that Coppola went bigger, bolder, and over-the-top with this feature. Whether or not that approach has worked is for you to decide.

Megalopolis held its World Premiere as a part of the In Competition section of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. 

Director: Francis Ford Coppola

Screenwriter: Francis Ford Coppola

Rated: NR

Runtime: 138m