Napoleon: A Review

Ridley Scott directs the 2023 film Napoleon a vivid portrayal of the conqueror’s life. the movie navigates Napoleon’s career, taking liberties with historical details for a broader exploration. For instance, it commences with Napoleon witnessing Marie Antoinette’s beheading, a creative departure given his actual station at Toulon, six hundred miles away. If your inner historian can overlook these liberties, an awaiting visual spectacle unfolds—a stunning cinematic journey about a man overcoming his perceived lowly heritage.

Joaquin Phoenix transcends typical Hollywood epic embellishments. His portrayal of Napoleon Bonaparte is one of brilliance and boredom, of a man driven to rise above the “Corsican brute” stereotype, constantly seeking approval from his mother. Phoenix injects a nuanced complexity into the character, defying the stereotypical image of a workaholic intellectual dynamo. Instead, he presents Napoleon as a multifaceted figure navigating both personal and military struggles.

The Power Couple

Amidst the thunderous cannons and swirling battlefields, the film centers on the tumultuous relationship between Napoleon and Joséphine, played by the captivating Vanessa Kirby, portraying their dynamic. Their on-screen chemistry paints a vivid picture of the characters’ evolution, progressing from Napoleon’s infatuation to Joséphine’s cunning power plays. In a notable scene where Napoleon returns from Egypt to confront Joséphine about an alleged affair, she actively turns the tables in their argument, compelling him to admit that he is nothing without her. Moreover, this standout scene actively reveals the intricate power dance between the two, establishing Joséphine as the great woman behind the great man.

Ridley Scott, a virtuoso of the great historical battle scene, skillfully selects narratives from Napoleon’s extensive military engagements. The Austerlitz and Waterloo sequences, imbued with Scott’s signature epic flair, heighten the film’s dramatic stakes, immersing the audience in war’s chaotic and brutal reality, whether in the Austrian winter or amidst circling French cavalry.

The film actively grapples with balancing Napoleon’s military exploits and an intimate examination of his marriage, resulting in a riveting yet off-kilter experience. Despite the compelling interaction between Napoleon and Joséphine when together, the film actively reduces much of their relationship to the narration of letters while he actively campaigns away.

In summation, Napoleon transcends the bounds of traditional biopics, offering a visually stunning and thought-provoking examination of the mind and heart of the French leader. Ridley Scott’s adept direction, and standout performances from Phoenix and Kirby, make “Napoleon” a compelling example of cinematic historical storytelling.

Napoleon is available for streaming on Apple TV+