Movie Review: Megalopolis

4 stars out of 5

It’s not too often that an 85-year-old throws me off my game. But when the octogenarian in question is Francis Ford Coppola, perhaps I shouldn’t be too surprised. He has perhaps the greatest résumé of any filmmaker, living or otherwise: The Godfather, Godfather II, Apocalypse Now, The Conversation, and not far behind, Peggy Sue Got Married, Rumble Fish, The Outsiders, Tucker: The Man and His Dream, Godfather III,The Rain People, You’re a Big Boy Now, etc. And now, after much anticipation, speculation, and consternation, Coppola has delivered a movie unlike any I’ve seen before: Megalopolis.

Which I think has also thrown off many critics and audience members prone to snap decisions. For this is not a movie you can slip into like an old shoe or comfy sweater. It’s disconcerting. The dialogue does not follow familiar rhythms. It requires your continued attention. Am I in college watching alternative theater? No, I’m experiencing the prototype uncompromising writer/director leaving absolutely everything on the table.

Megalopolis is a Roman epic set in modern times. It’s a Shakespearean tragedy and comedy. This is a science-fiction tale, mafia saga, The Fountainhead, tribute to the Golden Age of Hollywood, sweeping love story, and above all else, a satire — of politics, the media, popular culture, the upper class, these 21st century United States, and more.

Adam Driver, as visionary inventor/architect/philosopher Cesar, does the heavy lifting here. In a role that’s often absurd, Driver steers it away from becoming ridiculous. He is a dependable leading man. Cesar’s rival is the mayor of New Rome/The Man/the establishment Cicero (I never claimed the allegory was subtle), deftly played by Giancarlo Esposito, from Coppola’s Cotton Club in 1984 and my cousin Steve’s Sweet Lorraine in 1987. On Team Cicero are Noo Yawker Dustin Hoffman and Coppola nephew Jason Schwartzman. For Team Cesar we have Laurence Fishburne, Jon Voight, and Coppola sis/Jason’s mom/playing Cesar’s mom/”ADRIAN!!!” Talia Shire. Awwww!!!

Most impressive are two actors whose characters switch loyalties: Mayor’s daughter Julia who falls for Cesar Nathalie Emmanuel, probably the most flesh-and-blood person in the story, and also she is a knockout. And as Cesar’s conniving cousin, comeback player of the year Shia LaBeouf, having a blast as on-edge Clodio who ends up leading a MAGA-like crowd (several with red baseball caps). Shout-outs also to actual pop star Grace VanderWall as virginal pop star who pulls a JoJo Siwa, Vesta Sweetwater, and to my celebrity crush Chloe Fineman as a Julia hanger-on party girl.

This is not a perfect film by any measure. The effects, often impressive, are sometimes cheesy. And though I was entertained throughout, the movie didn’t elicit a real emotional response from me (a great risk of satire) until the very end, when I realized how much Francis Ford Coppola loves this country and, even this late in the game, still has hope for us. Megalopolis may not be a box-office smash, but when it’s rediscovered in 30 years as a gem, I’ll be the first 85-year-old to tell you — wait, come closer so you can hear — “I told you so.”