10/17
In this universe, Christianity does not exist
Scenario
The city of New Rome is pitted against the duel between Cesar Catilina, a brilliant artist who espouses a utopian future, and the greedy mayor Franklyn Cicero. Between them is Julia Cicero, whose loyalties are divided between her father and her beloved. Francis Ford Coppola wrote the screenplay in the early 1980s, but the film was shelved in part due to his financial debts. Preproduction finally began in 2001 after filming 30 hours of second-unit footage and holding a roundtable reading with Paul Newman, Uma Thurman, Robert De Niro, James Gandolfini, Nicolas Cage, Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Edie Falco, and Kevin Spacey, but the project was abandoned after the September 11 attacks because a scene in the script (page 166) «predicted» the attacks. Coppola abandoned the project entirely in 2007, and didn’t start developing it again until 2019. At 21:40, the character Catiline says the phrase «Holy Jesus Christ!» in amazement. Yet, in-universe, the city of New Rome is based on a culture based on Roman mythology (examples: 54:47, the dedication to Vesta; 01:55:51, someone says «The will of Cronus», or at 01:56:49, a statue of Saturn is prominently displayed, while there are many more depictions of Roman deities). There is no reason for Catiline to use the phrase «Holy Jesus Christ!» and in such a context. Cesar Catiline: *You* want to help me?
Julia Cicero: Yeah
And, well, I… well, I want to learn. Cesare Catilina: And you think a year of… medical school gives you the right to delve into the riches of my Emersonian mind? Julia Cicero: Gives me the right? Cesare Catilina: Yes. Julia Cicero: [scoffs] Gives me the right? Cesare Catilina: Yep! Julia Cicero: Gives me the right?
Cesare Catilina: YEEEEEE!
Julia Cicero: You have no idea what I am! You think I’m nothing, just a socialite? Cesare Catilina: No, not nothing, but I reserve my time for people who can think. For science. And literature, and… architecture and art. You think I’m cruel and selfish and insensitive? I am. I work without caring what happens to either of us.
Julia Cicero: Fine!
So go back to the club, get naked and hunt down the kind of people you like. I will. Cesar Catilina: Come back when you have more time!. The “Ultimate IMAX Experience” version of the film features a live actor asking questions during the filmed press conference. Featured in Amanda the Jedi Show: MEGALOPOLIS is my Nightmare | Explained (2024). My PledgeWritten by Grace VanderWaalPerformed by Grace VanderWaalCourtesy of Columbia RecordsBy arrangement with Sony Music EntertainmentProduced and orchestrated by Kris Kukul. The cinematography was a spectacle, to be sure. The special effects, however, were either a strong complement to the camerawork sequences or embarrassing to watch. I enjoyed the dreamy aesthetic of the film, but the dialogue was either cartoonishly difficult to follow or felt like it served no purpose to the plot/characters.
I’m embarrassed that I liked it
My favorite part of the film was definitely the Virgin’s Oath sequence. It didn’t add anything to the story, however, the song was actually good and the visual performance was easy on the eyes. Overall, this movie is definitely not for most people. It’s a terrible movie that I enjoyed for the over-the-top performances that made me laugh out loud. From Alien: Romulus to Road House, take a look back at some of our favorite posters from 2024.