I’ve been a Francis Ford Coppola fan for a long, long time. However, almost all of his films since Rumble Fish have been a disappointment. After his financial collapse, he has basically been a director for hire. I remember being excited when he did Dracula, being a big fan of Bram’s Book, and being less than impressed at the result.

So finally Francis began making his own, personal movies, financed my his other business. His first film, Youth Without Youth. I’ve watched it two and a half times and still don’t get it.

The film itself is beautiful, well acted and just stunning to watch. Not since The Godfather 1 & 2 do I remember such a visual stunning film by him. Every shot is gorgeous, the colors and composition are just perfect. Tim Roth was fantastic.

I just didn’t understand the plot.

Based on a novella by Mircea Eliade, my wife suggested reading it but I think not. This film is like a puzzle that needs to be solved. I tend to think this is what Coppola intended.

I believe there are two ways to look at a film you don’t understand. First is to call it stupid or bad.”One of Coppola’s worst!” on comment on IMDB says. I don’t think that way. Just because I don’t understand it doesn’t make the film bad. What I must do is first understand the film and than pass judgement. It’s like going to an art gallery and seeing a painting that just looks like a bunch of colors. It’s easy to say, that’s crap.

Anyway, I’ll post another article as soon as I’ve got more to say on this subject. Until than, I’ll be waiting for Francis Ford Coppola’s next film, Tetro. While I wait, maybe I’ll watch Apocalypse Now or The Conversation.