Two great directors are currently going through some rough phases. Yes, talking about Francis Ford Coppola and Todd Phillips. Their films Megalopolis and Joker 2 respectively have not received both critics’ good reviews and money as well from box office. But, the Oscar-winning director has some nice words to say about Phillips and Joker 2 starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, the sequel to the Joker, released back in 2019.
Francis Ford Coppola Hails Todd Phillips’ Joker 2
Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga. Image Credit: Warner brothers.
Francis Ford Coppola’s own film, which he termed as his passion project, Megalopolis itself is not performing well at the box office following mixed critical reviews. But that does not keep him praising another box office bomb Joker 2, which was actually expected otherwise to perform.
In an Instagram message, Coppola shared his admiration for Phillips’ work, complimenting his ability to consistently stay “one step ahead of the audience.” Coppola noted that this characteristic was evident even during Todd Phillips’ earlier work on The Hangover. Additionally, the legendary director expressed his delight at hearing that Joker: Folie à Deux’s cinematographer, Lawrence Sher, had been inspired by Coppola’s own film, One From the Heart.
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While sharing his thoughts, Coppola remarked, “[Todd Phillips] films always amaze me and I enjoy them thoroughly. Ever since the wonderful The Hangover he’s always one step ahead of the audience never doing what they expect. Congratulations to Joker: Folie à Deux! I am also honored that the film’s DP, Lawrence Sher, mentioned that the film is visually inspired by One From the Heart.”
Despite this notable endorsement, Joker: Folie à Deux has not been able to impress everyone. The film has drawn mixed reactions, particularly from viewers and critics on Rotten Tomatoes, where the sequel holds a 33% critics’ score and a 31% audience rating. Additionally, the movie’s CinemaScore of “D” marks it as one of the lowest-rated films based on a comic book, hinting at dissatisfaction among many viewers.
Francis Ford Coppola’s Own Megalopolis Faces Similar Scrutiny
Nathalie Emmanuel and Adam Driver in Megalopolis. Image Credit: Mihai Malaimare – © 2024 – American Zoetrope
Interestingly, Coppola himself has recently experienced similar criticism with his experimental film, Megalopolis. Like Joker: Folie à Deux, Megalopolis has also faced a divided reception, earning a 46% score on Rotten Tomatoes and underperforming at the box office. This echoes the polarizing nature of Phillips’ film, where bold creative risks, while appreciated by some, fail to resonate with the larger audience.
In both cases, these filmmakers have ventured into uncharted territory with their projects, leading to responses that reflect the risks involved. For now, both Joker: Folie à Deux and Megalopolis stand as examples of how taking bold cinematic risks doesn’t always guarantee immediate success.
Both Megalopolis and Joker 2 are running in theaters.
