Megalopolis’s Trailer Won’t Stand for Any Coppola Criticism

Have you ever criticized Francis Ford Coppola’s work? Well, look out, because he definitely has your name and what you said written down in a book somewhere. In the trailer for the director’s latest film, Megalopolis — a work that has indeed been criticized by critics — we open not with scenes from the movie being advertised, but with reminders that some people’s opinions look silly in hindsight and out of context. “True genius is often misunderstood,” a voice-over from Laurence Fishburne begins. Then, we’re treated to quotes from contemporaneous reviews of The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, and Dracula. To add some extra salt, the critics themselves are named personally, though virtually all of them, save for Owen Gleiberman and Rex Reed, have since passed away and can no longer defend themselves. While these pull quotes aren’t exactly glowing, describing Dracula as “a beautiful mess” and “a triumph of style over substance” is not something I — a fan of that movie who is alive today in the context of all that came before me — can disagree with. Then, we finally get to shots of Megalopolis itself, which feels wholly unnecessary. Coppola has made his point. You’re either seeing his movie or you’re a total herb who doesn’t even know about cinema. The END!

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