"An Analysis of 'Megadoc': The Film, reveals hints of joyous creativity in the twilight of acclaimed directors' careers, particularly in the context of Francis Ford Coppola's infamous box office bomb."
In the world of cinema, few productions have been shrouded in as much mystery as Francis Ford Coppola's "Megalopolis". The film, which ranks among the most interesting failures in cinema history, was backed by Coppola himself, using a significant stake in his family wine business.
The director who documented the production of this enigmatic film is Mike Figgis. His documentary, titled "Megadoc", offers a unique glimpse into the making of "Megalopolis". Figgis interviews members of the cast and crew behind the scenes, with rumpled cloth tacked to the wall behind them, providing a raw and unfiltered look at the film's creation.
"Megadoc" includes footage from an early read-through with Robert De Niro and Uma Thurman, dating back to the summer of 2001. It also features Shia LaBeouf and Aubrey Plaza, who seemed to be playing to Figgis' camera during the production of "Megalopolis". Shia LaBeouf's eyebrows, in particular, were a topic of discussion among those who saw the film.
However, "Megadoc" does not show clips from "Megalopolis" in a way that makes the case for its brilliance. Instead, it offers a glimpse into the film's production, leaving the viewer to wonder about the film's content. Test footage of Ryan Gosling as Clodio, shot in 2003, suggests how much less interesting any other actor would have been than Shia LaBeouf in "Megalopolis".
Coppola's motivation for making "Megalopolis" is unclear, with many wondering what he was trying to say and how he seemingly forgot everything he'd learned about filmmaking. George Lucas, Coppola's longtime friend, had promised a return to bold, experimental filmmaking but never followed through.
The film, directed by Coppola, stars Adam Driver as an Ayn Randian city planner named Cesar Catalina and Shia LaBeouf as Clodio, who leads a Roman conspiracy. Dustin Hoffman stepped in to fill James Caan's shoes after Caan's death.
Despite the intrigue surrounding "Megalopolis", the film is not available on streaming or home video. It was not a critical success, being described as clumsy, tonally inconsistent, and naively idealistic at times, and reductively cynical at others.
"Megalopolis" remains a fascinating enigma in the world of cinema, a testament to Coppola's ambition and the unpredictable nature of filmmaking. As Coppola, now 85, returned to the Cannes Film Festival with his rumored magnum opus, the mystery surrounding "Megalopolis" continues to captivate audiences.
