This is a vibrant, unusual, intellectually demanding film brimming with personality—though it's unlikely to appeal to everyone. The story centers on an architect (Adam Driver) who’s determined to rebuild a section of New Rome in the late 21st century using a revolutionary bio-adaptive material called Megalon. The mayor (Giancarlo Esposito), however, is content with the status quo and resists these ambitious plans. Things become more complicated when his daughter (Nathalie Emmanuel) starts a relationship with the architect. Shia LaBeouf portrays a decadent troublemaker, while Aubrey Plaza appears as a scheming television presenter drawn to the city’s financial backers (Jon Voight). Francis Ford Coppola initially conceived of “Megalopolis” in 1977, inspired by Lucius Sergius Catiline's failed attempt to seize control of the Roman republic. Despite extensive notes and script fragments from 1983, production attempts stalled for years, including a freeze following the 9/11 attacks. Upon reaching his 80th birthday, Coppola self-financed the film for $120 million, shooting it between November 2022 and March 2023. While some critics have dismissed it as a “big mess,” the plot itself is straightforward. The unconventional style—where Coppola trusts viewers to assemble the pieces—is what often throws people off, a characteristic seen in earlier films like "One From the Heart," "Rumble Fish," "Bram Stoker’s Dracula," “Youth Without Youth” and “Twixt.” If you enjoyed or disliked those movies, this film shares a similar artistic sensibility. Similar to his previous work such as “Tucker: The Man and His Dream,” “Tetro,” and even “Apocalypse Now,” Coppola weaves parallels between his own life and the narrative. Here, he embodies Cicero (Driver), an ingenious visionary whose ambitious project faces opposition from those in power. He’s frequently maligned, and personal failings compound his difficulties. Haunted by the loss of his wife and unborn children—a painful reminder of the tragedy involving his son Gian-Carlo in 1986—he perseveres with his vision and ultimately transforms the world through art. Ultimately, the film offers entertainment on multiple levels and is filled with thought-provoking ideas, alongside a surprisingly warmhearted conclusion. I found myself laughing aloud at the sheer creative madness unfolding onscreen; those who claim this humor was unintentional clearly haven’t seen Coppola's earlier works like “Twixt” or "You’re a Big Boy Now." The city of Megalopolis can be interpreted as a representation of the New Jerusalem from Revelation 21-22. The film suggests that wrongdoing leads to destruction, while those who change their ways are able to experience the benefits of this remarkable new city. It's a movie you’ll likely want to revisit repeatedly, discovering fresh insights with each viewing. It has a running time of 2 hours and 18 minutes and was filmed in Manhattan and Trilith Studios, Atlanta. GRADE: B+/A-

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