Flops or Triumphs? The Divisive Debate Over Hollywood's Boldest Cinematic Experiments

In a time of deep societal divisions, there is one thing that seems to unite the nation: a near-unanimous disdain for two recent cinematic flops, Francis Ford Coppola's "Megalopolis" and the "Joker" sequel "Joker: Folie à Deux." While these films have been widely panned, their failures may hold valuable lessons about the state of the movie industry and the true measure of a film's success.

Challenging the Conventional Wisdom of Box Office Dominance

The Visionary Folly of "Megalopolis"

Decades in the making, Francis Ford Coppola's passion project "Megalopolis" arrived as an unexpected and divisive entry in the American film landscape. Recalling the director's earlier misstep with the expensive and unpopular "One From the Heart," "Megalopolis" presents a Roman Empire-inspired vision of a corrupt and decaying New York City in desperate need of an urban design hero. The film has been met with a mix of reactions, from praise for its touching optimism and hypnotic flashes to criticism for its perceived naivety, misogyny, and narrative blurriness. Despite its ambitious vision, "Megalopolis" has struggled at the box office, earning only $12 million worldwide, a mere fraction of its production budget.

The Sobering Sequel of "Joker: Folie à Deux"

In contrast, "Joker: Folie à Deux" is a more mainstream follow-up to the 2019 smash hit "Joker." While the first film was a commercial success, grossing over $1 billion worldwide on a relatively modest budget, the sequel has failed to capture the same audience enthusiasm. With a production budget between $175 million and $200 million, "Joker: Folie à Deux" has only recently surpassed $165 million in global box office earnings, a far cry from its predecessor's performance. The film's D CinemaScore ranking suggests that it has not resonated with audiences in the same way as the original.

Redefining Success Beyond the Bottom Line

As the backlash against these two cinematic flops continues, it's important to consider alternative measures of a film's success. While the financial numbers cannot be ignored, there are other factors that contribute to a movie's lasting impact and significance. Factors such as filmmaking vitality, visual dynamism, and the ability to challenge and expand the boundaries of the medium should also be taken into account.

The Hollow Victories of Blockbuster Sequels

In contrast to the perceived failures of "Megalopolis" and "Joker: Folie à Deux," some of the year's biggest financial successes, such as "Bad Boys: Ride or Die," "Deadpool & Wolverine," and "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice," can be seen as failures on a larger scale. These sequels, while commercially successful, often lack the creative spark and innovation that can truly elevate the art form. Their reliance on familiar formulas and the absence of genuine cinematic vitality can be seen as a betrayal of the medium's potential.

The Enduring Legacy of Clint Eastwood

The case of Clint Eastwood's filmography provides a counterpoint to the industry's focus on short-term financial success. Over the past two decades, Eastwood has directed 15 films for Warner Bros., many of which have been critical and commercial successes, including the best-picture Academy Award winners "Unforgiven" and "Million Dollar Baby." While his most recent film, "Cry Macho," lost money, Eastwood's overall track record has proven to be a reliable and profitable partnership for the studio. This long-term approach to filmmaking, where loyalty and artistic vision are valued over immediate box office returns, serves as a reminder that there are multiple ways to define and measure a film's success.

The Allure of the Unconventional and the Uncompromising

Ultimately, the divisive reactions to "Megalopolis" and "Joker: Folie à Deux" highlight the industry's struggle to reconcile its commercial interests with the pursuit of bold, unconventional filmmaking. While these two films may not have achieved the financial success that studios crave, their very existence serves as a testament to the enduring power of cinema to challenge, inspire, and captivate audiences in unexpected ways. In an era dominated by safe, formulaic sequels, the willingness to take risks and follow one's creative instincts, even at the expense of immediate profits, is a quality that should be celebrated and encouraged in the film industry.