Scott chronicles the life of Napoleon Bonaparte (Joaquin Phoenix – Joker) from his rise as a gifted soldier who rose through the ranks with impressive victories until he became not only Emperor of France but also one of Europe’s most fearsome foes.
The film also shows his volatile relationship that he had with his wife Josephine (Vanessa Kirby – Mission: Impossible – Fallout), which went from a fairytale love story to a tale of infidelity, national embarrassment and stress as the couple struggle to conceive a child.
Napoleon is another film released this year where the trailer does not do it justice. One look at the trailer for the film and you would think that you were walking into a film that was just epic battle after epic battle. Yet the screenplay by David Scarpa (The Day The Earth Stood Still) sees this film go a lot deeper than that.
This film shows you more about what Napoleon was like as a person then ever could be expected. There are just as many scenes showing Napoleon’s softer side with Josephine and his dogs then there are scenes showing him as a brilliant battle strategist.
The fact that the film goes into depth and shows the stress that Napoleon and Josephine went through as a couple that couldn’t conceive as well as the pain that he endured when he discovered Josephine’s adultery proves that together Scott and Scarpa wanted to make a character study of the great man instead of an epic war piece.
The film also explores how at times the role of leader and the lifestyle that went with it didn’t always sit comfortably with Napoleon. It also explores the role that he took in the French Revolution and shows in detail how he became France’s first Emperor – facts that apparently most people are unaware of when it comes to the history of Napoleon. However, if you are a school student out there and think that a quick watch of this film will help you write your next history essay, you should also be aware that this film depicts Napoleon firing a cannon at one of Egypt’s pyramids so it may not be your perfect reference point.
Having said that, though, like all good Scott pieces the film is not light on action. The battle sequences look amazing, especially as Napoleon leads his troops in a surprise attack on a British fort. Likewise, thanks to cinematographer Dariusz Wolski (The Martian), shots depicting French manors covered in mist or soldiers dying in bloody water look like works of art throughout the film.
The only downside to those battles, especially the Battle of Waterloo, are the fact that Scott tries to fit so much of Napoleon’s life into the film that some sequences, including his abdication, are over in a blink of an eye on the screen. Given the picturesque way he shot it, key moments like Waterloo could almost have been centre points.
Credit must also be paid to Joaquin Phoenix for his performance of Napoleon. Not only does he carry this film by being in nearly every scene, he puts in a performance that is worthy of an Oscar nomination if not an actual Oscar win. Not only is this a commanding performance but he backs it up with the little things that keen eyed audience members will notice – the gazes, the facial expressions and even the laboured breathing during the battle sequences. To say that he puts on an acting masterclass here is an understatement.
Phoenix is also well supported by Vanessa Kirby, who takes on the difficult role of Joesphine with sheer brilliance. Not only does she match Phoenix’s amazing performance but also takes the audience on a rollercoaster ride where for one moment they will love her character and the next hate her.
Just like Steven Spielberg or Quentin Tarantino, Ridley Scott is one director that you expect something brilliant from every time he helms a film. With Napoleon he more than delivers that with a film that is not only beautiful to look at but allows its lead actor to shine while giving a well-rounded look at one of the most important people in world history.
Napoleon is currently screening in Phuket and is rated ‘18’.
4/5 Stars
David Griffiths has been working as a film and music reviewer for over 20 years. That time has seen him work in radio, television and in print. He is also an accredited reviewer for Rotten Tomatoes. You can follow him at www.facebook.com/subcultureentertainmentaus