Controversial Trailer for Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’ Draws Criticism

The recent trailer for Francis Ford Coppola’s latest film, ‘Megalopolis‘, has ignited discussions due to its portrayal of critical reviews of his past works. The trailer features a series of negative quotes attributed to prominent film critics regarding classics such as ‘The Godfather‘ and ‘Apocalypse Now‘.

Among the criticisms featured in the trailer are alleged statements from renowned critics like Pauline Kael and Andrew Sarris. Kael purportedly described ‘The Godfather’ as ‘diminished by its artsiness’, while Sarris is said to have criticized it as a ‘sloppy self-indulgent movie’. These claims have raised eyebrows as the actual reviews do not contain these phrases, rendering the trailer’s narrative flawed.

Additionally, the trailer cites other notable figures such as Roger Ebert, John Simon, and Rex Reed as having similar sentiments about Coppola’s acclaimed films. However, many of these quotes appear to be either fabricated or misattributed, leading to significant backlash from the film criticism community.

Owen Gleiberman, a critic for Variety, expressed his disappointment over the distorted representation of critics’ views. He pointed out that actual reviews of ‘The Godfather’ were overwhelmingly positive, and that many critics had supported ‘Apocalypse Now’, despite its divisive nature. Gleiberman emphasized that critics deserve accurate representation in promotional materials.

The film ‘Megalopolis’ premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and has been described by some as indulgent and muddled. As reactions continue to unfold, the promotional tactics employed in the trailer have sparked discussions around the relationship between filmmakers and critics.

‘Megalopolis’ will be released in U.S. theaters on September 27, and its marketing strategy has left some questioning the integrity of film promotion. The absence of available commentary from the late critics mentioned only adds to the overall intrigue surrounding the film and its promotional approach.