Title – Napoleon (2023) 

Director – Ridley Scott (Gladiator) 

Cast – Joaquin Phoenix, Vanessa Kirby, Tahar Rahim, Rupert Everett

Plot – Examines the life and times of famed French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte (Phoenix) and his at times volatile relationship with his wife Josephine (Kirby). 

“I am destined for greatness, but those in power only see me as a sword”

Review by Eddie on 24/11/2023

Whatever film you think Napoleon will be, or what film its been promoted too be via savvy marketing and studio smarts, it’s highly likely that Ridley Scott’s off-kilter and far from traditional historical biopic of one of the most renowned figures in human history is something you won’t expect or be prepared for. 

Tackling a subject matter as large as Napoleon Bonaparte is no easy feat and there’s unquestionably enough in the storied history of Napoleon feats to fill countless but Scott and his screenwriter David Scarpa jam a lot of content into their 2 and a half hour epic, one that will soon have a much longer directors cut unleashed on Apple TV, but despite the fact there are lavish elements to Scott’s feature and brief moments of brilliance, overall Napoleon is a cold and unbalanced experience with little heart and soul. 

Caught somewhere between a paint by numbers Hollywoodised historical procedural and an unwavering oddball examination of a charisma free man-child who you can’t even imagine inspiring a singular soul, let alone an army numbering in the 100’s of thousands, Napoleon is steadfast in its attempt to not just be a procession of spectacularly staged battles, which there is in the form of eye popping battle on a frozen lake, but there is little flow or fluidity to Napoleon’s narrative that jumps tones and segments with nothing holding it together. 

By-passing much of the early foundation stones of Napoleon’s rise from little to everything, Scott and Scarpa are much more interested in turning their attention to the French heavyweights relationship with the love of his life Josephine, played by the always good Vanessa Kirby.

This is an interesting idea but thanks to Kirby and the films main star Joaquin Phoenix’s lack of genuine chemistry and some truly bizarre scenes they share that are more likely to induce awkward chuckles and internet memes rather than anything else, much of Napoleon’s runtime ends up being dedicated to segments and moments that never resonate and no amount of pretty costumes, big screen spectacle or Phoenix making pig noises had any chance of saving face. 

With its strange delivery going on there will also be many knowledgeable of Napoleon’s exploits (something I wouldn’t profess to be an expert in) that will be left frustrated by what Scott and Scarpa leave out of their film or gloss over and for anyone expecting an historically accurate big screen iteration of Napoleon’s life, they will be left severely disappointed, with more time spent following carriages arriving at stately mansions than other important moments of Napoleon’s storied undertakings. 

Throughout all of Napoleon’s often uneasy delivery and emotion free procedural we also find ourselves with another 2023 misfire from Phoenix, who after the hugely disappointing Beau is Afraid earlier in the year delivers another flat and strange turn as a man that clearly demanded the affection and adoration of millions of people as well as frightening otherwise fearless men into retreat and surrender but whether you look at Phoenix’s turn in a leadership sense, a lovers sense or a friendship sense there’s nothing here but a shell of a figure who is supposed to be one of the most esteemed tacticians and commanders of human history. 

Whether it’s a turn dictated by Scott’s desires as the overseer of the whole parade or more by Phoenix who appears to be in a Joker-inspired performance rut, whoever is responsible for the way in which Napoleon is played here is a key reason as to why Scott’s film is such a cold and disjointed viewing experience one that has some moments you can appreciate but little to enjoy, love or ponder upon once the credits begin to roll. 

The question that we now turn too is can Scott’s directors cut make something of a film, that as it stands, has little to write home about? 

Final Say – 

The world is ready for a Napoleon biopic worthy of the man himself but sadly Ridley Scott’s newest expensive experiment isn’t it. Firing like a misjudged cannonball from scene to scene with little tying it all together and founded around a strange Phoenix turn that makes Napoleon into a horny manbaby who shows little humanity or majesty, Napoleon is a constantly weird and pretty mess that fails to conquer. 

2 lamb chops out of 5