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WTF Happened to FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA?

posted 5 years ago by TMC-4 (20121)
19 replies | jump to latest

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua-7ScYrgo8

In our latest WTF series, we take a look at some of our favorite stars and filmmakers who have seemingly disappeared or altered their careers over the years to the point that begs the question; WTF happened? Now, before you think we're just picking on celebrities or running some gossip rag stuff, think again! We take a fun (and sometimes funny), researched and fair approach, looking at all angles that led our subject to wherever they are now (which isn't necessarily a bad place at all). If anything, it answers the question on where these fine folks went, how they got there and where you can find 'em now.

In this episode, we look at legendary director Francis Ford Coppola, who gifted us with such cinematic gems as The Godfather Trilogy, Apocalypse Now, The Conversation, The Outsiders and Bram Stoker's Dracula, before pulling a near disappearing act in the later part of his career, dipping in to direct vastly different films, such as Jack with Robin Williams, an adaptation of John Grisham's The Rainmaker and then some truly odd, underwhelming flicks like Youth Without Youth and Twixt. Coppola has also worked heavily as a producer and even has his own wine, which you can pick up at most liquor stores, but his absence from greatness on the big screen has left us wondering WTF Happened to Francis Ford Coppola?

[–] Knish (1721) 5 years ago

He was replaced by his talentless fat twin.

[–] Wuchak (8730) 5 years ago

"The Rainmaker" (1997) is actually a worthy film based on Grisham's novel and it was moderately successful at the box office, albeit "disappointing" to producers since "The Firm" (1993) made 6 times as much. After that, Coppola understandably wanted to take a break and focus on other things in life.

When he reappeared a decade later he was pushin' 60 and decided to focus on films HE wanted to do. He could've churned out blockbuster drivel like the "Transformers" flicks, but as a true artist he was beyond caring about creating popular popcorn fare and the "success" thereof. This brings to mind Willard's observations about Col. Kurtz in Coppola's "Apocalypse Now" (1979): "He could've gone for general, but he went for himself instead." Francis could've gone for mindless, lucrative entertainment, but he was interested in something more important to him.

"Youth Without Youth" (2007) isn't bad, it's just different. The film was an intensely personal project for Coppola. Based on the novel by Mircea Eliade, the topic resonated with him and so he was driven to convey it on film. You get the impression that Coppola had discovered the answer to the mysteries of life and wanted to share it with the world.

"Tetro" (2009) was autobiographical in some ways. The challenge is to perceive the parallels. Two are obvious seeing as how Coppola's father was a famous conductor. The other is when South America's most honored critic asks Tetro if her opinion matters to him anymore and he honestly says it doesn't; sticking her nose in the air, she silently walks away. Like Tetro, Coppola no longer cared what critics thought of his works. It's akin to Kurtz' disposition toward the pathetic brass in "Apocalypse Now." The critic's name in the film is fittingly "Alone." Then there's the fact that Francis has a brother he's been known to have a love/hate relationship with, not to mention how his nephew, Nicolas Cage, is a little reminiscent of the titular character.

[–] Wuchak (8730) 5 years ago

Coppola's 2011 film, "Twixt" (reedited and rereleased as "B'Twixt Now and Sunrise" in 2022), combines the look of his "Bram Stoker's Dracula" with the inscrutableness of 2007's "Youth Without Youth" plus a sense of humor. It's a quirky, hermetic mystery flick that leaves you scratching your head, but you strangely find yourself enjoying the ride, for the most part. It's a fun Gothic tale with beautifully haunting cinematography & atmosphere, highlighted by Poe, bell towers, ghosts and bats in the belfry. The enhanced moonlighting and otherworldly blueish gray tones are awesome.

At the same time, "Twixt" is about the creative process as we observe the desperation of a writer with a bit o' actual talent scraping the bottom of the barrel, often under the influence of various intoxicants. Will he come up with a best seller? Will he solve the murder mystery? Will he come to terms with his ghosts of the past and his inner demons, so to speak, specters and demons that arise from his guilt over what happened to his daughter? Speaking of which, the death of this character is similar to that of Coppola's son, Gian-Carlo, in 1986.

A lot of the movie is an internal dialogue with the writer's own ghosts and literary influences. Poe and Charles Baudelaire (a notorious substance abuser) are referenced, with the former intermittently appearing, but only when Baltimore is under the influence, or dreaming. Coppola leaves it up to you to decide what is real and what is imagination, but the answers are there if you want to mine 'em.

Francis got the story from a dream he had while staying in Istanbul. This sets-up the criticism that Coppola's dream is the audience's nightmare. While "Twixt" leaves too many threads dangling, the parts are all there; they just needed sewn together more effectively. Then again, Francis likely wanted the viewer to leave with questions to ponder.

His most recent project is "Megalopolis": https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10128846/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

This is "WTF" happened to Coppola.

[–] legnadibrom (6214) 4 years ago

you cut him way too much slack,
like many other legendary directors.....the just lose "it"

[–] Wuchak (8730) 4 years ago

Nope. He (1) likes to experiment & try new things, which is why he's one of my favorite filmmakers; and (2) he doesn't have anywhere near the funds to make movies he had available in the 70s and early 80s. You might not like his latter-day flicks, and maybe they're not at the level of the movies he made in his heyday, but that doesn't mean he lost "it." All his films are worth checking out, old and newer, which doesn't mean you'll like 'em all, of course, especially since they're all so different. (Take, for instance, "One from the Heart," which is vastly different from "The Godfather" and "Apocalypse Now," which in turn are all vastly different from "Peggy Sue Got Married," "The Outsiders," "Dracula" and "Jack").

[–] legnadibrom (6214) 4 years ago

"and maybe they're not at the level of the movies he made in his heyday"

the definition of lost "it"

[–] Wuchak (8730) 4 years ago

No, losing "it" would mean he became incapable of making movies worth the viewer's time. Everyone (ideally) has their heyday, but that doesn't mean they can't still produce quality works in their area of expertise. Take classic rock/metal bands, they still release worthwhile albums, but these works usually (not always) pale in comparison to their stuff released in their prime. So, when they play live, the bulk of the audience wants to hear their 'hits' from back in the day. Yet this doesn't mean their newer material is crap.

[–] legnadibrom (6214) 4 years ago

"it" is immense talent which resulted in groundbreaking work, aren't some of his films in the national archive?
lots of rock bands get put into the hall of fame, where they deserve to be...but they had lost it years before & usually put out a few clunkers before deciding to live off touring & merchandise,

producing quality works is so far removed from making movies that will be remembered forever....you've really got some kinda hard-on for Coppola

[–] Wuchak (8730) 4 years ago

you've really got some kinda hard-on for Coppola

Your curious usage of homosexual innuendo reveals things about you I don't want to know. TMI.

(Just kidding; chill).

lots of rock bands get put into the hall of fame, where they deserve to be...but they had lost it years before & usually put out a few clunkers

It depends on who we're talking about...

- Sabbath's 13 was tired & derivative of past glories and therefore pretty that interesting to me, although it still has its points of interest.

- While CHINESE DEMOCRACY doesn't hold a candle to the band's work at their peak, it's certainly not worthless.

- Similarly, THE ART OF DYING, KILLING SEASON and RELENTLESS RETRIBUTION may not be on the exceptional level of ACT III, but they're still really good albums with a smattering of great cuts.

- Meanwhile Judas Priest has been delivering the goods with material that rivals their top albums.

Now, let me guess, you're going to disagree with me on at least one of those four examples. So it is with film appreciation. Speaking of which...

producing quality works is so far removed from making movies that will be remembered forever

They can't all be hits like "The Godfather" and "Apocalypse Now." But does that make his films since then -- or before then -- crap?

"Peggy Sue Got Married" is a fun breath of fresh air, "Tucker: The Man and his Dream" touches greatness, "Bram Stoker's Dracula" is quite effective for Gothic horror, "The Rainmaker" is a decent Grisham drama/thriller, "Youth Without Youth" is so weighty & inscrutable it may contain the answers to life itself, "Tetro" is a quality Coppola flick (literally because it relates to his family) and "Twixt" is entertaining while respecting the intelligence of the viewer to put the pieces together. Oh, and "The Godfather Part III" is superior to "The Godfather Part II," as far as I'm concerned.

So, you may not like Coppola's more recent works, but that doesn't mean he lost "it."

You're welcome to the last word.

[–] legnadibrom (6214) 4 years ago

why even bother mentioning Sabbath when nothing ever touched their 1st 4?
& GNR? Chinese Democracy is absolute garbage compared to Appetite,
& Judas Priest is pretty much the exception,

& again with FFC, you've mentioned some good movies he made post-legendary era like "Peggy" & the fantastic "Dracula" but those aren't considered classics across all demographics like his earlier flicks,
I saw "Tetro" years ago & the only thing i remember about it is that it's in B&W,

my point stands - he lost it

[–] MovieChatUser497 (18943) 4 years ago

Heaven and Hell and The Mob Rules were just as good as the first four. I actually think the Dio years were better than the Ozzy years.

[–] Wuchak (8730) 4 years ago

I agree. Different, but just as good.

[–] legnadibrom (6214) 4 years ago

you must own all the Sammy Hagar VH albums :))

[–] MovieChatUser497 (18943) 4 years ago

I own all of them, even that POS Gary Cerone album.

[–] AbrahamLinkedIn (401) a month ago

He just released a new film called Megalopolis.

[–] Wuchak (8730) a month ago

Thanks. I saw it in the theater.

[–] ewd76 (1164) a month ago

I'm still waiting for It parts III - V

[–] bobbynynex (1505) 4 years ago

brian de palma had the biggest drop

[–] rudeboymurray (3270) 4 years ago

He's over 80, fabulously wealthy and enjoys relaxing in his vineyards... would you be bothered about making great movies? He doesn't need to work at all if he so chooses.