Megalopolis Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

An architect with time-stopping powers wants to build a perfect city, but the mayor wants to keep things corrupt, so they fight while the mayor’s daughter awkwardly chooses between them.

🍿 Megalopolis: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to New Rome

The film introduces New Rome, a futuristic version of New York City, plagued by corruption and decay. Cesar Catilina, a visionary architect and head of the Design Authority, aims to rebuild the city into a utopian metropolis called Megalopolis. He possesses a unique ability to stop time, which aids in his creative process and vision.

Conflict with Mayor Cicero

Cesar’s ambitious plans clash with Mayor Franklyn Cicero, who favors traditional methods and believes Cesar’s vision is reckless. This conflict sets the stage for a power struggle between innovation and established authority. Cicero is portrayed as representing the regressive status quo, perpetuating greed and partisan warfare.

Love and Loyalty

Julia Cicero, the mayor’s daughter, finds herself torn between her loyalty to her father and her growing love for Cesar. Her internal conflict becomes a central theme as she grapples with deciding what future she believes humanity deserves. This love triangle adds a personal dimension to the larger political and ideological battles.

Intrigue and Betrayal

Cesar faces opposition not only from Mayor Cicero but also from his own cousin, Clodio Pulcher, who seeks to undermine him for personal gain. The film also introduces Hamilton Crassus III, a wealthy banker with his own agenda. These characters contribute to a web of intrigue and betrayal, adding layers of complexity to the story.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Cesar Catilina (Adam Driver): A visionary architect and city planner with a Utopian vision for New Rome, leading the Development Authority.
• Mayor Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito): The greedy mayor of New Rome, in bitter feud with Cesar over the future of the city.
• Julia Cicero (Nathalie Emmanuel): The mayor’s daughter torn between loyalty to her father and her love for Cesar.
• Wow Platinum (Aubrey Plaza): Ambitious reporter with designs on both Cesar’s affections and Hamilton Crassus’s fortune.
• Clodio Pulcher (Shia LaBeouf): Cesar’s cousin who undermines him in his own bid for power.
• Hamilton Crassus III (Jon Voight): Catalina’s rich uncle, a Donald Trump- or Rupert Murdoch-type banker.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Cesar Catilina: “*You* wanna help me?” – Cesar says this when Julia offers to help him with his Utopian project.
• Cesar Catilina: “And you think one year of… medical school entitles you to plow through the riches of my Emersonian mind?” – Cesar questions Julia’s qualifications to understand his complex ideas.
• Cesar Catilina: “And you think one year of… medical school entitles you to plow through the riches of my Emersonian mind?” – Cesar questions Julia’s qualifications to understand his complex ideas.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $120,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $7,629,085
• Worldwide Gross: $14,357,804

💥 Megalopolis Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, ‘Megalopolis’ was definitely an experience! I walked out feeling a little dazed and confused, but also strangely impressed by Coppola’s sheer audacity. The visuals were stunning, especially the scenes of New Rome. Some parts felt pretentious, but I couldn’t help but admire the ambition. Adam Driver was captivating, and the whole movie was just so… different. I’m still not sure if I loved it or hated it, but I know I won’t forget it anytime soon. It’s the kind of movie that sparks conversation, and that’s what I appreciate most.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Francis Ford Coppola’s films”
  • “Viewers interested in dystopian and utopian themes”
  • “Those who appreciate visually ambitious and experimental cinema”
  • “Fans of Roman history and allegory”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Occasional sex scenes”
  • “Some violence”
  • “Themes of societal decay and corruption”
  • “Suggestive content”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Coppola’s ambition is admirable, but ‘Megalopolis’ is a sprawling, uneven mess. The visuals are stunning, but the narrative lacks cohesion. Adam Driver delivers a compelling performance, but the supporting cast is underutilized. Ultimately, it’s a fascinating failure.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “‘Megalopolis’ is a noble experiment gone awry. Coppola’s grand vision is lost in a sea of confusing plot lines and over-the-top performances. The film is visually arresting, but the story is ultimately incoherent and unsatisfying.
• IndieWire: “Coppola swings for the fences with ‘Megalopolis,’ resulting in a film that is both audacious and deeply flawed. The visuals are impressive, and the themes are thought-provoking, but the execution is uneven and the pacing is sluggish. It’s a must-see for cinephiles, but be prepared for a bumpy ride.

Audience Reactions

Some viewers appreciated the film’s ambition and unique visual style.: Many found the film visually stunning but criticized its convoluted plot.

Adam Driver’s performance was a highlight for many audience members.: Driver’s portrayal of Cesar Catilina was praised for its intensity and depth.

Overall Consensus: Megalopolis is a visually ambitious but narratively flawed film that divides audiences with its unique style and convoluted plot.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Francis Ford Coppola wrote the script in the early 1980s, but the film was kept on the back-burner partially due to his financial debts.”
• “Pre-production finally began in 2001 after filming 30 hours of second unit footage and holding table read with Paul Newman, Uma Thurman, Robert De Niro, James Gandolfini, Nicolas Cage, Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Edie Falco, and Kevin Spacey.”
• “The project was scrapped after the September 11 attacks, because a scene from the script (page 166) ‘predicted’ the attacks. Coppola fully abandoned the project in 2007, and didn’t begin developing it again until 2019.”
• “Francis Ford Coppola financed the $120 million project mostly out of his own pocket, selling off part of his winery and resorts.”

🖥️ How to Watch Megalopolis?

Megalopolis is currently playing in theaters. As a recent release, it’s not yet available on major streaming platforms like Prime Video, Netflix, or Hulu. Check local listings for showtimes and ticket availability. Physical copies on Blu-ray and DVD may be available for purchase or rental at a later date. Keep an eye out for updates on streaming availability through news outlets and movie database websites.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Megalopolis, you might like these similar films:

• Metropolis (1927): Both films depict a futuristic city divided by class and explore themes of utopia, dystopia, and the impact of technology on society.
• Blade Runner (1982): Features a dystopian futuristic city, exploring themes of societal decay and the search for meaning in a technologically advanced world.
• Brazil (1985): Presents a darkly comedic and surreal vision of a bureaucratic and technologically advanced society, questioning progress and individual freedom.
• The Fountainhead (1949): Explores the themes of individualism, visionary architecture, and the struggle against conformity, similar to Cesar Catilina’s conflict.

🛒 Megalopolis Related Products

• Francis Ford Coppola: A Filmmaker’s Life: A comprehensive biography exploring Coppola’s life and career, with insights into the making of ‘Megalopolis.’ Includes rare photos and behind-the-scenes stories.
• Megalopolis: Concept Art Collection: A limited edition collection of concept art prints from ‘Megalopolis’, showcasing the film’s unique visual style and futuristic designs. Perfect for framing and display.
• Roman Empire Building Set: Build your own Roman empire-inspired structures. A challenging set for adults and teens, perfect for fans of historical architecture and intricate designs. Recreate New Rome!
• I Heart New Rome T-Shirt: Show your love for New Rome with this stylish t-shirt, featuring a unique design inspired by ‘Megalopolis.’ Available in various sizes and colors.

🎧 Soundtrack

Megalopolis features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “My Pledge” – performed by Grace VanderWaal
• “Untitled Orchestral Score” – performed by Osvaldo Golijov

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Most Embarrassing Movie of the Year

Ever wonder if a movie can be *too* ambitious? Penguinz0 dives into Megalopolis and doesn’t hold back! Prepare for some laughs and maybe a little head-shaking.

The Megalopolis Scene That BROKE Us

Want to know what the pros *really* think about Megalopolis’s special effects? Corridor Crew gives their honest reactions and, honestly, it’s more interesting than the movie itself! See if you agree with their critique.

Megalopolis Pitch Meeting

How do you even begin to pitch a movie like Megalopolis? Screen Rant imagines the hilariously awkward pitch meeting that might have led to this cinematic… experience. It’s so bad, it’s good!

Megalopolis – How to Build a Flop of the Ages | Anatomy of a Failure

Was Megalopolis destined to be a flop? Filmento breaks down all the reasons why Coppola’s passion project might have missed the mark. Get ready for a deep dive into what went wrong!

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