[...]
“Coppola’s leap into years-ahead
technology is sure and dazzling. ‘It’s arti-
ficial,’ he seems to say. ‘Isn’t it gorgeous.’
Indeed it is... At the same time, the wind
that never quite leaves the soundtrack
says: ‘It may be hot and gaudy here, but
the desert can cover everything over any
day now.’ Impermanence and emptiness
crowd the film.”
[...]
Although I have met more than a
handful of people over the years who
love the film with equal ferocity, we’ve
never had a chance to see if that initial
rapture holds up. Second thoughts? I
gravely doubt it. We’re a doughty band,
and today we finally get to share the
bliss.

Sheila Benson, 2003 Toronto International Film festival
- The Festival Daily