Lionsgate unveiled the second trailer for Francis Ford Coppola’s ambitious film “Megalopolis” on Wednesday, which opens with critical remarks about his previous works from prominent film critics.
The trailer features quotes that reference critiques of “The Godfather,” including Pauline Kael’s comment in The New Yorker about it being “diminished by its artsiness,” and Andrew Sarris from Village Voice, who described it as a “sloppy self-indulgent movie.” Other notable critics like Roger Ebert, John Simon, Stanley Kauffmann, Vincent Canby, and Rex Reed also appear in the trailer with negative feedback regarding celebrated films such as “Apocalypse Now.” This angle aims to suggest that while the initial reactions to these films were harsh, they have stood the test of time, paralleling the narrative the new trailer is attempting to construct for “Megalopolis,” which has faced mixed reviews since its premiere at Cannes.
However, a significant flaw in the trailer’s premise has been identified: the quotes attributed to these critics do not actually appear in the mentioned reviews. Vulture and Variety have confirmed that the cited phrases are not found in the accessible versions of the original articles. For instance, Ebert’s remark labeling “Dracula” as a “triumph of style over substance” is actually taken from his 1989 critique of “Batman.”
Owen Gleiberman from Variety, who is misquoted in the trailer regarding the 1992 film “Bram Stoker’s Dracula,” expressed his frustration, remarking that critics deserve accurate representation. He further noted that while “The Godfather” was widely praised, “Apocalypse Now” did receive substantial critical backing despite being polarizing. Gleiberman added that he wished he had called “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” a “beautiful mess” himself, suggesting that such a comment now seems generous.
While some critics genuinely disliked Coppola’s earlier films—like Reed, who referred to “Apocalypse Now” as a “gumbo of pretentious twaddle”—the reception of “Megalopolis” could indeed prompt a reevaluation in the future. In a recent critique, Variety’s Peter Debruge expressed dissatisfaction with “Megalopolis,” claiming it is a “deeply personal, but sloppy allegory” regarding Coppola’s relationship with art, stating, “Turns out, world-building — that invaluable tool of 21st-century Hollywood franchises — may not be in his wheelhouse.”
“Megalopolis” is set to be released in U.S. theaters on September 27. Lionsgate has not yet responded to requests for comments regarding the trailer, and while Reed, who still writes for the Observer, was approached for his thoughts, he has not provided a response. Many of the other cited critics, such as Kael, Simon, Ebert, Canby, Kauffmann, and Sarris, have passed away, leaving their perspectives unattainable.