Francis Ford Coppola's Megalopolis Releases in Theaters

Francis Ford Coppola's long-anticipated film 'Megalopolis,' which explores themes of ambition and corruption against the backdrop of a dystopian New Rome, has faced harsh criticism and commercial failure since its release. Despite a hefty budget of $120 million, funded largely by Coppola himself through the sale of winery shares, the film has struggled to gross even $10 million globally. Critics have described it as pretentious, with disjointed performances and a screenplay that leaves major plot elements unexplained, leading some to label it a potential disaster in cinema history. The casting choices, including actors with past controversies, were intended to avoid a 'woke Hollywood production,' but have also drawn scrutiny. Coppola's attempt to draw parallels between contemporary America and ancient Rome has not resonated well, with many reviewers stating that the film fails to deliver on its ambitious premise. Nonetheless, the film's release marks a significant milestone in Coppola's career, surpassing $700 million in cumulative earnings across his body of work despite its shortcomings.