Ridley Scott is back with another historical epic! Napoleon will arrive in cinemas in the UK on November 22nd, before making its way to Apple TV+ at a later date.
Synopsis
Napoleon is a spectacle-filled action epic that details the checkered rise and fall of the iconic French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, played by Oscar®-winner Joaquin Phoenix. Against a stunning backdrop of large-scale filmmaking orchestrated by legendary director Ridley Scott, the film captures Bonaparte’s relentless journey to power through the prism of his addictive, volatile relationship with his one true love, Josephine, showcasing his visionary military and political tactics against some of the most dynamic practical battle sequences ever filmed.
Review
Scott’s recent attitude towards historical accuracy is something I took on board before watching Napoleon. I’m not going to lie, everything I know about Bonaparte’s reign as the first Emperor of France, as well as his strategical victories and devastating defeats, had been left at school the day I moved up to further education. So, in terms of historical accuracy… There is nothing I can say about the films’ fidelity and faithfulness to true history. Does it matter? Of course it does. It just may not matter to someone who has incredibly limited prior knowledge. For a film that clearly dramatises and exaggerates events for the sake of entertainment, I’m going to say that pre-existing knowledge is nonessential.
What’s really important is how the film is, right? Context and accuracy aside, Napoleon is an utterly compelling and action-packed blockbuster that revels in its brutal action sequences, beautiful sweeping landscapes, and its visually magnetic and quite daunting period setting. The film really hones in on the twisted and manipulative nature of Napoleon, ensuring that he isn’t glorified despite his achievements. Careful attention is employed to convey his superior understanding of the art of war which revolutionised military thinking, while also highlighting his poisonous demeanor.
Joaquin Phoenix shines as the dictator, offering a rather dualed performance. One half of Napoleon is determined and ruthless. He’s a calculative genius who easily exploits his enemies weaknesses and utilises them to his advantage. The other half resembles a petulant child who is hungry for attention and a definitive legacy that transcends time. Now, this is actually where the film stumbles. With two incredibly different approaches, the change from this cunning tactician to a needy and desperate child is often quite jarring. Some of the dialogue is incredibly funny and perfectly suits this version of Napoleon, but it all feels slightly out of place due to the sudden and drastic change.
Regardless, Phoenix’s performance is fantastic. Whenever Phoenix embodies a new role he is always a force of nature. However, he’s not the only star of the show. Phoenix’s Napoleon does dominate, but Vanessa Kirby strikes hard with her captivating and painful performance as Joséphine. We’re dealing with two giants who are fighting for dominion. Not only is Napoleon at war with multiple countries, he’s also at war with his own wife, and their conflict is callous and rife with mistrust and emotional manipulation. What makes Kirby stand out is her very emotive performance. There are scenes where she doesn’t utter a word, but everything you need is in her eyes and her very subtle facial expressions. It’s masterful storytelling that differs signifcantly compared to Napoleon’s loud and boisterous presence, which really tries to suffocate Joséphine.
There is a lot to love in Napoleon, but the thing that won me over was just how gorgeous and miserable everything looked. Scott captures the bleak and harsh conditions born from societal collapse and rampant povety, while also showcasing the power and devastation of warfare. The multiple battles are expertly shot, as expected from the likes of Scott, and the day-to-day life of Napoleon immserses us in the aristocratic spoils enjoyed by those in power. Napoleon is a flavorful visual concoction that studies ideas of class and war through its brilliantly detailed dive into that time period. It also, in true Ridley Scott fasion, does not shy away from its blockbuster approach. While the battles are indeed a highlight, each frame is wonderfully put together. This grounded attempt to retell history may not be entirely accurate, but there’s no denying Scott’s ability to produce a film that looks utterly stunning.
Verdict
Ridley Scott’s Napoleon is a beast of a film that dives into the complexities of Bonaparte’s military prowess and family-orientated shortcomings; two very different sides of his personality that are splendidly illustrated on screen. While the film does have some rather bizarre tonal shifts, it is a visual and grand feat that is gripping and exhilerating. It may not be Scott’s chef-d’oeuvre, but there is still so much to enjoy in this historical blockbuster.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Check out the trailer below:
Directed by Scott, Napoleon stars Joaquin Phoenix as the French conqueror Napoleon Bonaparte and Vanessa Kirby as Empress Josephine. The film also features Tahar Rahim, Mark Bonnar, Rupert Everett, and Youssef Kerkour.
