Megalopolis: See It Three Times

https://jameslanternman.online/megalopolis-movie-review/

by jlaternman • 2 years ago

15 8 2 years ago

wryoak• 2 years ago

I loved it. Would like to have seen it again - something I don’t often do with theatrical releases - but my local theater dropped it pretty quick.

jlaternman4• 2 years ago

Great to hear from other viewers who loved it. I don't often rewatch in the cinema either, though oddly enough I have rewatched 3 movies in the cinema this year (a first), 2024 has been impressive. Here in Spain they are continuing to show it, but it's not raking in dollars and movie theatres can be quick to drop screenings these days :( — this is one that would have needed time to build a buzz slowly, basically though "WTF" worth of mouth and getting people talking about it.

Also a note I didn't have my account configured correctly, so I've just seen comments. Please excuse the late reply.

getwiththeprog• 2 years ago

I am glad for the dissenting opinion you voice. With so much hate for a movie from such a well renowned director made over so long with so much money... Well I think there may be something there that many people do not want to see (like the fall of Rome). I'll be looking forward to the home cinema release, which may not be too long :)

GaryNumanVevo• 2 years ago

I watched it at home via a 1080p cam rip, actually made me buy an IMAX ticket and go see it, because I knew they wouldn't keep it in theaters for long. I'm eagerly awaiting the director's cut.

jlaternman4• 2 years ago

Well this shows its power when it reaches viewers who it clicks with! Good on you going to the IMAX (I'm no morality police about downloading movies, but the big screen is where it's at to get an experience). For me this movie has played like 3 different cuts, 3 different times.

jlaternman4• 2 years ago

Thank you. I think that is right, something people don't want to see — though it's more the idea of something they don't want to see. It's a shame they don't want to see, since it's a deeply optimistic movie. Hope you enjoy the home screening :) — apologies for the late reply, my notifications were not set up correctly.

drannex• 2 years ago

The movie is fantastic, but obviously made to be rewatched. It's a Shakespearean play in its format, dialogue, and style through and through, this is a love letter to the first major theatres, both of Shakesphere and of Rome itself.

There are several moments where the film plays with the concept of time, in that there are moments in the first watch that are so obvious to being linear, that on rewatch are painfully obvious to be flashbacks, you have to know the ending, the end game, to really appreciate the rest of it. There are so many "throw away" scenes and lines that seem so out of place, that become incredibly important and poignant for the story to make sense. Some of the scenes are purposefully flipped, so that on rewatch it makes more sense.

Is it a great movie? No. Is it a fantastic and fascinating experience? Yes.

Aside, since it helped a friend 'frame' the film in terms of locale and world: The United States is not in North America, it's in Italy, it's what would have happened if instead of America being founded in NA, it was a revival of the Roman Empire (as America was founded on hyperfixations of the empire). The thirteen colonies were thirteen city states that banded together, the addition of additional states are the surrounding areas for a new roman empire, New Rome is what New York would have been... if it was in Italy. Hope that helps understand the weird political and philosophy in juxtaposition to the modern era and old.

jlaternman4• 2 years ago

I agree very much that it's made to be rewatched. I found it highly unusual in that I'm a film student and have rewatched so many films and continue to rewatch a ton of favourites endlessly, but I can't remember another movie that revealed new layers and characteristics like this did over 3 watches other than Mulholland Drive. I suspect it will continue to evolve on the next couple watches at home, too.

Also agree it's a love letter to classical theatrical traditions, and I think that's where Coppola's heart has been the whole time, calling way back in time.

The movie is one big play with time as a parable with creativity, almost like Tenet but I would say it's much more effective and powerful here.

I think this is a great movie and likely a masterpiece, but it's a fascinating movie to talk about and great to see appreciation of it confirmed in others. It's a fascinating viewing experience packed with meaning, no doubt. It does many things very differently while being able to fully engage and fascinate on first watch. There's not many movies in history like that. The rest will play out as people continue to critique the film over time, and I'll be fascinated to see how that evolves.

I love that aside. The most interesting thing about Italy in the "grand political" sense (I love their culture and art) in recent history is that relatively speaking it flew under the radar post-WW2, and continues to hold deep respect for Britain through stories of great empires, lingering fixations on that kind of story that many still identify with. I'd encourage you to expand that in longer form if you are able, no doubt it would make a good read.

Finally, just to note I didn't have my account configured correctly so didn't see any notification of comments. Please excuse the late reply.

Megalopolis: See It Three Times

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