Francis Ford Coppola is a fan of “Frankenstein,” the latest $100M+ Guillermo Del Toro extravaganza, which is now available to stream on Netflix.
A few days ago, Coppola shared an appreciation post for Del Toro’s film on his Instagram. The filmmaker called it “an elegant and unique composition about love and beauty told in a most personal and original way.” He also described Del Toro as a “cinematic genius,” saying we are fortunate to have him “guide and enlighten and illuminate our lives in a way no one else can.”
Coppola went on to comment on Dan Laustsen’s “beautiful images” and the “memorable performances” by Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Christoph Waltz, and Mia Goth. “Moments flow out of them like an uncontrollable fountain of passionate joy,” wrote Coppola.
“Frankenstein” is currently #8 on the Gold Derby charts for Best Picture and has quickly become Netflix’s top Oscar priority. Some are even pushing for a Supporting Actor nod for Elordi for his work as the monster, though I doubt that will happen.
My take on the film remains after a post-Venice rewatch: lavish sets and meticulous production design, but the movie ultimately feels more like a polished Netflix blockbuster than the imaginative delirium of “Pan’s Labyrinth.” The script is also full of theatrical flourishes that emphasize style over substance. At times, it is visually striking but ultimately a hollow exercise in glossiness.
Martin Scorsese did a similar thing with del Toro’s last live-action film, “Nightmare Alley,” back in 2021, but he took it a step further by writing an op-ed for the L.A. Times, urging moviegoers to buy a ticket and support the film. Praising the film’s craftsmanship, he argued that it “deserves” more appreciation.
Below is Coppola’s post.
