Where to begin with Megalopolis, the 120 million dollar endeavour by writer and filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola (Bram Stoker’s Dracula, The Godfather)? After sitting for more than forty years on the idea and having trouble finding financiers (which is also why the majority of the budget came out of his pocket), the highly anticipated feature has finally arrived. The film, which was supposed to be his magnum opus, is as bold and personal as you would expect but also disastrous and lifeless at the same time.

On the surface, Megalopolis is just a modern take on a traditional Roman story of two strong-willed politicians, Caesar Catilina (Adam Driver) and Mayor Franklyn Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito), fighting for power, support and the realisation of their vision of what looks like a Roman version of New York. Caesar is the most powerful of the two, as this brilliant visionary comes from the wealthiest family in the empire and can freeze time. On top of that, he’s in love with Mayor Franklyn’s daughter Julia (Nathalie Emmanuel). We can only speculate whether that’s purely out of love or to get closer to his rival, but their relationship causes personal and political friction.

While Mayor Franklyn is the underdog in the political race, Esposito (Abigail, Parish) is not inferior to Driver (65, The Last Duel). On the contrary, both actors are the driving force behind this all-over-the-place movie. Esposito’s commanding presence gives the Major the sturdiness and ambition he needs in times of crisis and rapid change. Driver fiercely embodies the genius who’s still grief-stricken because of his wife’s mysterious death but who also has a much more positive outlook on the future of his city and on love. Both actors and their characters have much to offer to the film and the on-screen society. For example, while the Major is going all in for social improvements and practical solutions to be able to lift his city to new heights, Caesar is discovering a new material, megalon (which will be the stepping stone for his future city) and innovative technological equipment.

When looking at the broader framework of the feature, you’ll see that the fellow actors will all portray a rich and important man. Throughout the movie’s 138-minute runtime (which feels much longer than it actually is), you’re being introduced to banking magnate Hamilton Crassus III (Jon Voight), an important commissioner (D.B. Sweeney), and an upcoming young political figure (Shia LaBeouf).