42/32
In this universe, Christianity does not exist
Plot
The city of New Rome is faced with a duel between Cesar Catilina, a brilliant artist in favor of a utopian future, and the greedy mayor Franklyn Cicero. Between them is Julia Cicero, whose loyalties are divided between her father and her lover. Francis Ford Coppola wrote the screenplay in the early 1980s, but the film was held back in part due to his financial debts. Pre-production finally began in 2001, after filming 30 hours of second-unit footage and holding a table read with Paul Newman, Uma Thurman, Robert De Niro, James Gandolfini, Nicolas Cage, Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Edie Falco, and Kevin Spacey, but the project was abandoned after the September 11 attacks because a scene in the script (page 166) « foreshadowed » the attacks. Coppola abandoned the project entirely in 2007, and did not begin developing it again until 2019. At 21:40, the character of Catiline utters the phrase « Holy Jesus Christ! » in amazement. However, within the universe, the city of New Rome originates from a culture based on Roman mythology (example: 54:47, the dedication of Vesta; 01:55:51, someone says « The Will of Cronus », or at 01:56:49, a statue of Saturn is prominently displayed, while there are many more representations of Roman deities). There is no reason why Catiline would use the phrase « Holy Jesus Christ! » and in such a context.. Cesar Catiline: *Do you* want to help me?
Julia Cicero: Yes
And, well, I… well, I want to learn. Caesar Catilina: And do you think a year of… medical school gives you the right to show through the riches of my Emersonian mind? Julia Cicero: Does it entitle me? Caesar Catilina: Yes. Julia Cicero: [mocking me] Does it entitle me? Caesar Catilina: Yes! Julia Cicero: Does it entitle me?
Caesar Catilina: YEEEEEES!
Julia Cicero: You have no idea about me! Do you think I’m nothing, just a socialist? Cesar Catilina: No, not nothing, but I reserve my time for those who can think. About science. And literature, and… architecture and art. Do you find me cruel, selfish and insensitive? I am. I work without caring what happens to any of us.
Julia Cicero: Okay!
So go back to the cluuuub, find everything and follow the kind of people you like. You. Caesar Catilina: Come back when you have more time!. The « Ultimate IMAX Experience » version of the film features a live actor fielding questions during the filmed press conference. Featured in Amanda the Jedi Show: MEGALOPOLIS is my Nightmare | Explained (2024). My PledgeWritten by Grace VanderWaalPerformed by Grace VanderWaalCourtesy of Columbia RecordsBy arrangement with Sony Music EntertainmentProduced and orchestrated by Kris Kukul. "Megalopolis" is a film I wanted to like, primarily because it’s an incredibly expensive indie project, written, produced, financed, and directed by the legendary Francis Ford Coppola – an auteur who has been planning this work for 40 years and loves it. so much so that I personally rated it 10/10 on the film platform Letterboxd. Moreover, the experience of sitting in a nearly empty IMAX theater with only a few others added to the atmosphere…
, nothing else in this film is worth praising
However, aside from Adam Driver’s Oscar-worthy performance and the stunning visuals that looked beautiful on the massive screen. The plot follows the genius scientist Cesar, the inventor of the revolutionary material « Megalon »; with which he plans to build a utopian city of the future-« Megalopolis. » This is one of the central themes of the film – the obsession with perfection in a world and a society far from it. Envy, jealousy, greed and lust for power are other themes that shape the essence of this work. Coppola does not shy away from interweaving political commentary as well as reflections on human existence. When I think about the themes of the film, one might think that this is a good film.