Megadoc

I found it interesting that the man who proclaimed that one of his films "isn't about Vietnam.  It is Vietnam!" now wearily explains that film, its images on the screen, are merely flickering light.  Shia LaBeouf, in one of his many arguments with Francis Ford Coppola, disagrees.

Many more disagreements will be captured by director Mike Figgis for his 2025 documentary MEGADOC, a behind the scenes look at the creation of Coppola's expensive passion project, MEGALOPOLIS. The one for which he ponied up one hundred and twenty mil after selling off some of his vineyard interests. We get clips of rehearsals, filming of the movie, asides from some cast and crew.  The initial excitement of production designer Beth Mickle, and her later disappointment when her vision ultimately didn't align with the director: she would also resign after Coppola fired the visual effects department in an effort to curtail the budget.  The joys and the befuddlement of everyone else.  You always wonder if those captured are playing to the camera.  Adam Driver had such concerns, asking Figgis not to shoot his acting scenes.  We are left with an off set interview, expectedly insightful.

Shia is front and center, constantly badgering Coppola with questions and suggestions.  Often very confrontational. By the third scene of this, I wanted to punch him.  Maybe Francis did, too.  But I'm sure the director, no stranger to drama on the set and with studio folk, saw a kindred spirit.  Maybe a younger version of himself?  He tells the actor he was the most difficult he ever worked with.  Shia is flabbergasted, in disbelief that he could possibly be difficult than Marlon Brando was on APOCALYPSE NOW.  Coppola wrote Shia a letter when filming concluded.  Filled with his admissions of frustration, but concluded with "I love you."

Another actor who wasn't particularly shy was Aubrey Plaza.  It seems she stays in character, even courting Figgis and his camera to follow her around.   Also what you would expect.  She has an arm wrestling match with Dustin Hoffman that I found highly entertaining.  Some viewers might find it a bit creepy. Speaking of which, you may have heard that Coppola reportedly had kissed some of MEGALOPOLIS' extras.  This is unsurprisingly not shown or mentioned.  

MEGADOC is well made, but rarely rises above the level of a DVD extra.  A midlevel "making of" doc.  Figgis' insights are not particularly profound, his method not at all groundbreaking.  A surprise from the man behind such experimental films as TIMECODE and THE LOSS OF SEXUAL INNOCENCE.  If you crave something ultra stylish, check out STORMY MONDAY sometime.

Coppola is seen as the uncompromising creative force he's always been, but tired.  And still willing to retreat to a cozy trailer filled with monitors as he directs; I read he did this back in the early 1980s while shooting ONE FROM THE HEART.  MEGALOPOLIS had controversy written all over since it was announced, thus perfect fodder for a high profile documentary.  But far from the level of HEARTS OF DARKNESS: A FILMMAKER'S APOCALYPSE, Francis' wife Eleanor's incredible doc about the making of that film that may well have been Vietnam itself.

P.S. - Eleanor is seen a few times in MEGADOC, including during an on-set wedding anniversary celebration.  Sadly, she passed in 2024, several months before the release of MEGALOPOLIS.