Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon” is an epic historical drama, written by David Scarpa. The film runs three hours. When the Director’s Cut streams on Apple + after the theatrical run, it will play for four hours and 10 minutes. Ridley Scott is a brilliant director and his grandiose, bloody film, “Gladiator” was another historic epic that was both gruesome and heart-wrenching. Joaquin Phoenix had a starring role in that film and leads the cast in “Napoleon”.
The film covers the rise of the Corsican gunner, Napoleon Bonaparte, during the French Revolution, through his meteoric rise to Emperor of France. To get the most out of the film, it helps to have a knowledge of the historical context and an interest in epic battle scenes. Scott divides his film into the battles fought between the armies and those fought at court and between his beloved Josephine and himself. Vanessa Kirby (televisions “The Crown”, “MI” films) is phenomenal as Josephine; married to a rough soldier with no social graces, her aristocratic upbringing did not prepare her for this tumultuous love affair.
The relationship between Napoleon and Josephine held the most interest to me. Sadly, I felt that Phoenix gave a rather muted performance. There are moments of joy and silliness that bring the story to life but there are long stretches of brooding belligerent speeches delivered in a surly monotone. One NYTimes reviewer called his Napoleon “a lumpy, grumpy little man”. I loved Phoenix in “C’mon, C’mon” (Mike Mills, 2021), when he got to play a more normal human. In “Napoleon”, it’s the scenes with Josephine and his newborn son that allow him to show his acting prowess.
The battle scenes are massive affairs and likely, very realistic. Based on the 11 battles where Napoleon was the general, the battles are a riot of carnage: cannons booming, charging horses and dying soldiers. He was by all accounts a brilliant military strategist and the scene of cannons used to drown his opponents is an awe-inspiring spectacle. Reducing his life to a series of battles, the story doesn’t do justice to the reforms and the impact he had on all of Europe. These include the “Napoleonic Code” which, from marriage law to property rights, laid the foundations for the legal architecture which France – and much of Western Europe – still uses today.
Dr Ruth Scurr, author of Napoleon: A Life in Gardens and Shadows and a writer for the Telegraph, feels Scott’s decision to exclude this side of Napoleon’s legacy was justified. “There’s a very tribal approach to Napoleonic scholarship,” she says. “You’re either for him or against – he’s a tyrant or a visionary. I think we need to move beyond that. And the fact is that people signing papers doesn’t make a great film. And Scott was ultimately out to make it entertaining.”
The costumes are extraordinary. The coronation scene when Napoleon crowns himself features resplendent ermine robes and jewels with a sea of royal subjects in gorgeous frocks and frock coats. Josephine has a huge wardrobe. She’s decked out in bodice-revealing silks, layers of shifts and velvets, elaborate hair styles and adorned in jewels and crowns. Napoleon gets to sport his signature Bicorn hat and a series of military uniforms that become increasingly weighted down in medals and badges.
The casting is wonderful for the most part. Perhaps if Phoenix had been able to balance his portrayal of a flawed silly man while also showcasing the charisma the historic figure must’ve exuded, this could’ve been a better film. It was nice to see Rupert Everett on screen in a pivotal role as the Duke of Wellington. Tahar Rahim gives his role the needed gravitas as Paul Barras. It’s a huge cast with an army of extras, both on the battlefields but also to populate the French court and courts.
Perhaps the longer, director’s cut will expand on some of Napoleon Bonaparte’s accomplishments. Ridley Scott has been vocal about the fact that his film is not a documentary. It’s an epic drama with some historical details with the focus on Napoleon as a man, a general and an Emperor. If you’re a fan of the director or Joaquin Phoenix, this film is not to be missed. If you enjoy battle scenes and large spectacles, this is a film for you. If you’re weary of bloated films with three-hour runtimes, there are lots of other entertaining films to choose from, either streaming or at other theaters.
Drinks with Films rating: one glass of Burgundy wine, served in fine French crystal glass while gloating over a military triumph (out of 5)
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