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Last year legendary director Francis Ford Coppola released his long awaited passion project "Megalopolis" in theaters, after a bow at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024. The movie has been on his mind for over three decades, but he was never able to find funding for the picture. So, Coppola took matters into his own hands, sold shares of his wine company, and fronted the $120 million budget. The new documentary "Megadoc," directed by Mike Figgis (the Oscar-nominated director of "Leaving Las Vegas"), shows the behind the scenes turmoil that led to one of the biggest cinematic gambles in recent history.

The downside of a movie screening for critics weeks in advance or at festivals is that it will hit theaters with an already-formed consensus. Such was the case with "Megalopolis," which had been deemed a disaster through trade headlines before Coppola even wrapped. There were fights on sets, ballooned budgets, and one grumpy artist at the center of all the drama, none of which is overlooked in "Megadoc."

Figgis' fly-on-the-wall documentary isn't groundbreaking, or a particularly outstanding piece of documentary filmmaking, but it's the perfect movie for those interested in what a Coppola production may look like behind the scenes. No matter anyone's opinion on "Megalopolis," there are some fascinating takeaways regarding the making of Coppola's dream project.

From the early days of rehearsal, to the on set arguments between Coppola and Shia LaBeouf, Figgis sits back and takes the entire production in, trying to remain as invisible as possible (and star Adam Driver really tries to remain invisible, only sitting down for one interview with Figgis). Coppola invited Figgis to make the documentary and be on set with him, and Figgis was too "intrigued to see how someone can spend $120 million of their own money," so it was an opportunity he couldn't pass up.

"Megadoc" offers a great deal of reverence to Coppola, and it becomes clear that a lot of the actors signed onto a bonkers movie they maybe didn't understand just so they could work with a master of cinema. Which actor wouldn't want an opportunity to work for the filmmaker behind "The Godfather" series or "Apocalypse Now"? But, to the credit of "Megadoc," the movie isn't purely a polite genuflect at Coppola's altar (though it does sidestep discussing on-set allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct by Coppola). The documentary shows a director who is impatient, wants what he wants, and is open to hearing new ideas - but don't ever tell him his aren't the right way first. He will storm off set out of frustration, but his prevailing message is that he just "wants to have fun." There's a great scene where the camera is overhead, listening to Coppola talk about everything he's accomplished: He has money, fame, Oscars, and movies that are in the film history books. "Megalopolis" is for him.

"Megadoc" doesn't get into the reception of the film, which sits at 45-percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite the pedigree behind the film, it failed to spark any general audience interest and only took in $14 million at the worldwide box office. It was deemed one of the worst movies of the year, which makes my love for the movie even more special. I happily put "Megalopolis" on my Top 10 list last year and it's a movie that has only grown in my estimation. How often do we get to go to the movies and see the work of a mad genius come to life on screen in all its fractured and flawed glory? "Megalopolis" is a bizarre film, but it's a special one, and "Megadoc" does a good job capturing that.