Why Megalopolis' R-Rating Makes Sense For The Movie
Despite the film being rated R, not all of Francis Ford Coppola's best movies carry the same rating. However, critically acclaimed films like The Outsider and Rainmaker that have PG and PG-13 ratings respectively are a rarity within Coppola's film catalog. This is partially why the rating for Megalopolis isn't surprising, as it continues a trend within Coppola's movies of making mature stories for older audiences. It also allows for more freedom of exploring the world Coppola has created, showing Caesar Catilina's journey without downplaying any elements of what Caesar does.
Megalopolis is also going to be exploring many complex ideas, with Caesar having to compete with Mayor Franklyn Cicero, who wants to keep New Rome the same as it was prior to the disaster. Still a third major character, Julia Cicero is in the mix, being the mayor's daughter as well as Caesar's love interest. Given the number of different character stories and themes likely to be explored, it makes sense Coppola would want Megalopolis to be realistic enough to attain an R-rating.
Megalopolis' Rating Follows a Trend For Francis Ford Coppola's Movies
Now, Film Ratings has confirmed that Megalopolis will be rated R, continuing a trend in most of Coppola's filmic work. The site says the rating is because of "sexual content, nudity, drug use, language and some violence," indicating what mature presentations to expect from the movie. Since most of Coppola's well-remembered films, from The Godfather to Bram Stoker's Dracula, have an R-rating, the decision is no surprise for Coppola's latest endeavor.
Despite the film being rated R, not all of Coppola's best Movies carry the same rating. However, critically acclaimed films like The Outsider and Rainmaker that have PG and PG-13 ratings respectively are a rarity within Coppola's film catalog. This is partially why the rating for Coppola's latest movie isn't surprising, as it continues a trend within Coppola's movies of making mature stories for older audiences.
Megalopolis' Rating Doesn't Change Coppola's Vision For The Film
Despite Megalopolis having divided reviews, the rating indicates its presentation will be accurate to the vision Coppola always had for the movie. This means everything about the film's story can appear in the way the director originally intended, without needing to differentiate it for a changed rating. Since Megalopolis is something Coppola has wanted to create for decades, its rating is a good sign that whatever gets presented onscreen is what Coppola intended for the final product to look like.
Megalopolis is a movie that Coppola has been planning since 1977. Coppola's vision of Megalopolis follows the story of Caesar Catilina, who, after the destruction of the dilapidated, futuristic city New Rome, decides to rebuild it as a utopia despite many setbacks. This movie has been the subject of controversy and criticism, from Coppola's behavior on-set to the polarizing quality of the film as a whole.
