Film Review: ‘Megadoc’ is a Fascinating and Often Funny Look at the Fraught Making of Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis’

If you know anything about Megalopolis, you likely know about the fraught production of Francis Ford Coppola‘s long gestating passion project. The ambitious epic took decades to come together, but once he finally got around to making it, things turned into a boondoggle in short order. The final product is more up for debate, as there are both defenders and detractors, but the production was undisputedly a mess. That shoot has also now made for a very entertaining documentary in Megadoc, which takes a fly on the wall look at what went down for Coppola and company. It’s kind of incredible this even exists, let alone is as compulsively watchable as it is.

Megadoc could easily have just felt like an old school DVD special feature. Instead, it feels like director Mike Figgis (an acclaimed filmmaker in his own right) is capturing something he shouldn’t be. He’s not grabbing anything transgressive, nothing like that, but he is observing the creative process going awry. For anyone curious about the making of a gigantic film, for better or worse, this is a must see movie.

This is very much a portrait of Francis Ford Coppola’s creative process, just filtered through the lens of finally getting to make Megalopolis. We see him before shooting commences, doing improv acting games with his A-list cast. They’re mostly game for these exercises, though obviously slightly confused. Some, like Aubrey Plaza, discuss their unusual auditions. Others, like Shia LaBeouf, are taking it very seriously and worried about every minute detail. Initially, the cast and crew are all enamored with getting to execute Coppola’s vision. Then, shooting starts.

The good vibes are still there, at least initially. Then, Coppola’s declarations that they’re there for fun and to play and it’s all about discovery run up against actor frustrations (mainly LaBeouf, as they argue about nearly every shot he’s in), production departments not knowing what Coppola wants, and Coppola himself seemingly frustrated that what’s in his head isn’t showing up on the day. It all just keeps threatening to boil over, ending in the premiere of Megalopolis at the Cannes Film Festival, where the movie turns over to audiences.

Mike Figgis is best known for making Leaving Las Vegas, so he’s arguably overqualified for this, though he winds up being perfect for the assignment. He always knows where to be and when to ask something of Coppola or the cast, as well as when to stand back and let the drama unfold. Without him, this likely would have been sanitized and little more than a special feature. With Figgis, it’s nothing short of compelling, as well as surprisingly funny (Coppola manages to be very giggle worthy before he gets too pouty). There are no villains here, but certainly egos and visions, with a production constantly on the brink of disaster.

Megadoc does not require you to have seen Megalopolis. It simply showcases an epic vision and a passion project that teeters on the brink of collapse as soon as the cameras roll. I found it nothing short of captivating, and if there aren’t any real answers or resolutions, the experience itself is quite interesting, as well as often amusing. It’s a shockingly good time, likely due to all of us having not been on that set.

SCORE: ★★★