Emily Zemler
Updated on: October 13, 2024 12:58 am GMT
Francis Ford Coppola’s long-awaited film “Megalopolis” is finally hitting theaters, but the director shared some frustrations about the filmmaking process. With a nearly $100 million personal investment, Coppola faced challenges, particularly with limited rehearsal time due to his cast’s other commitments. This has led to a mixed reception for the film, which features a star-studded lineup including Adam Driver, Nathalie Emmanuel, and Shia LaBeouf.
Challenges on Set
Coppola recently spoke to IndieWire, expressing his dissatisfaction with the lack of preparation time. His cast included several high-profile actors, who could not be present for rehearsals at the start of filming. “I had this extraordinary cast, but a lot of them couldn’t be there from the very beginning, so I couldn’t rehearse with them,” he said. To combat this issue, Coppola gave every actor an understudy and rehearsed with them instead.
- Understudy Benefits:
– Improved versatility in performances.
- Spurred creativity despite the challenges.
Despite the difficulties, Coppola acknowledged that working with understudies provided “a lot of good stuff that came from that that benefitted the movie.”
Mixed Reception at Cannes
“Megalopolis” premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, but the reactions were varied. Critics have rated the film 52% on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting its polarizing nature.
- Common Criticisms:
– The Guardian described the film as “bloated, boring, and bafflingly shallow.”
– NME gave it a two-star review, likening the viewing experience to “watching a toddler being given free rein as an interior decorator.”
However, despite the critique, many recognize the ambition behind the film, which has taken decades for Coppola to develop.
New Innovations in Theatre
Coppola also proposed an innovative way to engage audiences. He envisioned using voice recognition software that would allow viewers to ask Driver’s character, Cesar Catilina, questions during showings. This feature had the potential to change how movies are experienced in theaters.
- Notable Aspects of the Idea:
– Software intended to trigger specific scenes based on audience questions.
– A collaboration with Amazon was reportedly in the works until layoffs stalled progress.
“What if you could see ‘Megalopolis’ five times in its opening week, and it would be different each time?” he exclaimed.
Though the full interactive experience is unlikely in most theaters, some cinemas in the UK may feature this element.
Cult Film Potential
As the film nears its official release on September 27, discussions about its future continue. Despite the mixed reviews, there is speculation about it becoming a cult classic.
- Reasons for Cult Film Status:
- Ambitious storytelling that diverges from mainstream cinema.
– Engaging visuals and performances, even amid critiques.
Coppola is no stranger to mixed reactions. His earlier works, including The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, faced skepticism but later gained critical acclaim.
Closing Thoughts
It’s still uncertain how people will react to “Megalopolis,” but you can see that Coppola has a special way of making movies and telling stories. This film shows his big dreams, creativity, and the tough challenges he faced. No matter how it does right away, “Megalopolis” shows how committed Coppola is to his art. As the movie gets ready to be seen by more people, everyone in the film world will pay attention to how it combines old styles with new ideas. Will audiences love it in the future? Only time will tell!
