Megalopolis Could Have Succeeded with Aubrey Plaza’s Character as the Main Protagonist

Megalopolis: A Dream Realized Yet One Full of Challenges

Long confined to the imaginative realm of Francis Ford Coppola, Megalopolis finally made its debut in 2024 at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, ushered in by an illustrious ensemble cast that includes the talented Aubrey Plaza. The film purports an alternate rendition of New York City, cheekily dubbed New Rome, and centers around a visionary’s hope to use groundbreaking technology to transform the city for the better. Despite years of ambition and countless hurdles in securing financing—including Coppola ultimately self-funding the project—the film has seen mixed results at the box office.

With a production budget exceeding $120 million, Megalopolis has only managed to gross slightly more than $11 million globally, marking it as one of the most substantial box office failures in cinematic history. The critical reception has been polarizing as well, with diverse opinions surrounding the film’s eclectic cast of characters, some of whom are indeed notable figures from today’s cinema. Plaza’s performance has been noted to be disappointingly limited, igniting discussions about her talent and potential within the film.

Aubrey Plaza: Understanding the Camp

Dialing Up the Camp with Wow Platinum

In her role as Wow Platinum—arguably one of the most memorable names in contemporary American cinema—Aubrey Plaza stands out as an ambitious journalist entangled in a complicated romantic relationship with Adam Driver’s character, Cesar Catalina. From her inaugural scene, Plaza expertly grasps the film’s campy tone, infusing her delivery with an energy that elevates memorable lines like, “You’re anal as hell, Cesar. I, on the other hand, am oral as hell.”This ability to blend humor and character effectively makes her stand out in a film where performances vary greatly.

The disjuncture in acting styles within Megalopolis creates a unique dissonance; while Adam Driver and Nathalie Emmanuel deliver more grounded performances, Plaza and Shia LaBeouf—playing Clodio Pulcher—give in to the film’s idiosyncratic ambiance, enhancing their roles to fit Coppola’s surreal narrative. However, Plaza’s portrayal of Wow Platinum emerges as a high point, especially in contrast to the juxtaposing tones of other leads.

The Need for Stronger Female Representation

Women Often On the Sidelines

The narrative of Megalopolis predominantly channels male interactions and philosophical musings on city-building akin to dialogue from Shakespeare and Marcus Aurelius. While Coppola effectively draws parallels to the decline of the Roman Empire, the film noticeably lacks a robust female presence. Nathalie Emmanuel’s character, Julia Cicero—despite being positioned as a key love interest—remains underdeveloped and functions primarily as a means to propel Driver’s character further along his journey.

The women are largely relegated to the background, serving as silent observers as male protagonists engage in their self-important debates. Plaza’s Wow Platinum emerges as a beacon of agency in this male-centric narrative, as she conspires with Clodio Pulcher to attain power. A deeper exploration of Plaza’s character could have addressed some narrative shortcomings, mirroring the potential that a fuller development of Julia Cicero could have unlocked.

Insights from Aubrey Plaza on Megalopolis

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Production

Despite mixed reviews, Aubrey Plaza has consistently been recognized as one of the standout performers among the extensive cast of Megalopolis. In interviews, she candidly reflects on her experiences collaborating with Francis Ford Coppola, sharing insights about the whirlwind environment of the film’s shoot. Plaza remarked on the demanding nature of her role:

It was madness working on that film… My mentality every day was ‘every man for himself; only the strong survive here’… Even in the car on the way to that set, I would transform into Wow. I would go, ‘OK, I’m terrified right now, I’m having a nervous breakdown as myself, but Wow’s not. She can handle anything.’ And I would switch like a lightbulb: ‘It’s Wow time.’… If you weren’t, then you’d get eaten alive. You had to be confident and have a plan because it’s not all on the page.

For Plaza, working under the direction of a filmmaker as influential as Coppola was exhilarating. She conveyed her admiration in a conversation with Deadline, highlighting the unique qualities he brings to storytelling:

He’s got such a magical way of directing and inspiring actors. You can feel it when you watch his movies and I felt it when I worked with him. It was everything that I had hoped for. And I think ultimately, he is just a brilliant storyteller, and he has something to say, I think. Every movie that he makes, there is a passion behind it. It feels like there is a reason for it. It’s pure in an artistic sense.

Other Notable Roles

Aubrey Plaza’s Significant 2024 Roles
Movie / TV Show	Character
Agatha All Along	Rio Vidal / Death
My Old Ass	Elliot
Megalopolis	Wow Platinum

In 2024, Aubrey Plaza experienced a notable resurgence, starring in a series of projects beyond just Megalopolis. Her performance as Older Elliot in My Old Ass received high acclaim, boasting a 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and ranking high on streaming charts. Additionally, Plaza played a pivotal role as Death in the Marvel series Agatha All Along, a character that holds significant implications for potential future appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

As she evolves from being primarily recognized for her deadpan comic roles, Plaza has solidified her reputation as one of today’s most compelling actors. Her diverse performances in 2024 showcase her range, allowing her to shine in various genres and character types. Although Megalopolis may not achieve the masterpiece status Coppola envisioned, Plaza’s portrayal of Wow Platinum stands as a testament to her talent and insight, representing a high note within the film.

It’s conceivable that Megalopolis could be re-evaluated in future years as a realization of Coppola’s long-held dreams—offering a glimpse into the complex psyche of a filmmaker whose most celebrated works are now seen through a historical lens. Nonetheless, the film does miss the mark on several avenues, particularly in failing to harness the full potential of Aubrey Plaza‘s dynamic character, Wow Platinum. Few actors grasped Coppola’s vision quite like Plaza, resulting in an unforgettable performance in a peculiar cinematic landscape.

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