You may have heard that Megalopolis is a big, hot mess of a movie. I saw it, and there is a performance you absolutely must see

You may have heard that MegalopolisFrancis Ford Coppola’s long-in-progress and self-funded passion project, is a Big hot mess of a movie. In our official review CinemaBlend’s Dirk Libbey wrote of the film: “While the epic tries to do too much with its nearly two and a half hour running time, the cast is fully committed to the spectacle on screen.” After seeing the film, I can say, that one particular actor seemed more committed than the others, and that is Aubrey Plaza, who plays the sensational (and sensationally named) Wow Platinum.

That’s not to say that the performances of Adam Driver as Cesar Catalina, Nathalie Emmanuel as Julia Cicero or Shia LaBeouf as Clodio Pulcher aren’t great because they are in their own unique ways, it’s Plaza’s power-hungry TV host that kept me on the edge of my seat. And if there’s one performance you need to see in this big, hot mess of a movie, it has to be Wow Platinum.

(Image credit: Francis Ford Coppola)

The way Plaza incorporates both her cynicism and vulnerability into the character is great

Over the last decade and a half, Aubrey Plaza has developed an incredible personality that strikes the perfect balance between cynicism and vulnerability. This dynamic combination has added so much to projects like… The White Lotus And Emily the criminal. And that is also the case with Wow Platinum Megalopolis.

At times, the character is incredibly cynical, pragmatic, and opportunistic in order to get what he wants, be it an interview with Jon Voight’s powerful Hamilton Crassus III or, later, a relationship with the head of Crassus National Bank. If you love the dry sense of humor and wit that Plaza gets on shows like… Parks and Recreation or legionyou will feel at home here.

But at the same time, Plaza’s character comes across as vulnerable and at times compassionate in her rise to power in the Crassus family and New Rome. There’s one particular scene where the TV host tries to make her relationship with Cesar Catalina more than just a secret affair that is just heartbreaking and features some of the film’s best work.

Aubrey Plaza in Megalopolis

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

Wow Platinum also has one of the best (and most coherent) stories in Megalopolis

First reactions to Megalopolis weren’t Francis Ford Coppola’s first film in more than a decade, and critical reaction wasn’t wrong in calling the fable an unruly and over-the-top mess. One of the reasons for this is the fact that the film has so many different subplots, ranging from overstated to underwhelming, and sometimes even both at the same time. However, this cannot be said for Wow Platinum’s story, as it is one of the best and most cohesive out there Megalopolis. After ending her affair with Cesar because he refused to accept it, Wow marries his wealthy uncle and then makes plans to take over Hamilton’s affairs by working with his insane and over-the-top grandson, Clodio.

Yes, the whole thing leads to some wild and crazy moments (including perhaps the funniest death scene in the series). Cinema program 2024), but it seems the most realistic and coherent in the whole story. No exaggerated scenes that seem like a perfume ad, no unnecessary monologues and no absurd and grand statements like our boy Cesar.

Aubrey Plaza in Megalopolis

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

Plaza’s character also enhances pretty much every other subplot

However, Aubrey Plaza’s Wow Platinum is not the main character MegalopolisThis crown falls on the head of Adam Driver’s Cesar Catalina, the ambitious television host who looks like a Roman goddess at several points in the film, and is one of the main threads that ties many of the various subplots together.

Wow’s ambition and greed (not to mention the pain caused by Cesar’s unwillingness to commit) leads her to be betrothed to Hamilton Crassus III, which in turn brings her into contact with Clodio Pulcher and his conspiracy to take control using the family’s vast wealth to take power in the new Rome. Wow plays with Clodio’s obsessive desire for power and control, as well as his jealousy of his cousin, and delves into the vast financial and political conspiracy that could have upended not only the family, but the future of New Rome in general.

Their coverage of the ongoing feud between Cesar and New Rome Mayor Franklyn Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito) early in the film also provided a lot of exposition that, to some extent, helped me understand this mess of a film.

Aubrey Plaza in Megalopolis

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

In a movie with wild names, Wow Platinum is in a league of its own

One thing I particularly liked Megalopolis Since I first heard about it a few years ago, there’s been a collection of ridiculous names that sound like a cross between ancient Rome and modern times, which is quite fitting given the film’s setting. And while I love names like Cesar Catalina, Franklyn Cicero, Constance Crassus Catilina and Fundi Romaine, none can compete with Wow Platinum.

Seriously, Aubrey Plaza’s character’s name sounds like some kind of villain from either of them preferably Batman Films. Not on the level of Joker or Two-Face, but Wow Platinum has a certain quality. The name, which is by far my favorite of the year, also fits the character quite well. With her blonde blonde hair and wild wardrobe, I constantly said “Wow” when “Plaza” came on the screen.

Aubrey Plaza in Megalopolis

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

Aubrey Plaza really seems to be having the time of her life in Megalopolis

Above all, it seems like Aubrey Plaza is having the time of her life Megalopolis. If you’re watching the trailer for the film or any clips like the one from Wow, Platinum is having a ridiculous conversation With Julia Cicero (yes, the sound effects are in the actual film), you see an actress showcasing her comedic timing while pushing herself to the next level as an actress. It’s silly, yes, but it’s also great and so much fun to watch.

Megalopolis is not a film for everyone, and not everyone will like it (I’m still not sure where I fit). However, there is no denying that this is one of them The best performances of Aubrey Plazaeven if the rest of the movie is a big hot mess.

The way Plaza incorporates both her cynicism and vulnerability into the character is great

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