Napoleon Movie Review: Phoenix Shines, Yet Ridley Scott’s Film Lacks Compelling Depth
Joaquin Phoenix takes on the iconic role of Napoleon in Ridley Scott’s latest film. Join us as we explore this grand biographical drama, where Scott delves into the 30-year journey of the former French emperor. Phoenix portrays Napoleon Bonaparte, a figure still shrouded in mystery, much like other historical figures with an insatiable thirst for power, such as Hitler. Scott’s direction provides an overview of the man who played a significant role in the French Revolution, offering a glimpse into the complex and often blurred aspects of humanity.
Despite facing harsh criticism from French reviewers and a dismissive response from director Ridley Scott, “Napoleon” enjoyed a strong opening in France, raking in an estimated €868,000 ($946,000) from around 120,000 admissions on its Wednesday debut. Comscore France revealed this figure, which includes 8,000 tickets sold during preview screenings across the country. Notably, Sony Pictures hosted a lavish world premiere in Paris on Nov. 14, shortly after the conclusion of the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Starring Joaquin Phoenix as the infamous French emperor and Vanessa Kirby as his wife, Joséphine de Beauharnais, the film has faced criticism from French reviewers for alleged historical inaccuracies and an anti-French stance. Even Phoenix’s performance hasn’t been spared, with outlets like radio station France Culture mocking his portrayal of Napoleon as resembling a “dusty wax figure.” Despite the controversy, the film’s strong opening suggests it has resonated with audiences despite the initial backlash.
The national newspaper Le Figaro delivered the harshest critique, suggesting the film could be titled “Barbie and Ken Under the Empire.” Television talk shows and news channels like BFMTV have buzzed with heated debates about the polarizing movie, even drawing political commentary. Ridley Scott, however, brushed off the vitriol, telling the BBC that “the French don’t even like themselves,” dismissing negative reviews from the country. Despite this, French audiences haven’t been deterred, propelling “Napoleon” to the top of the local box office, surpassing films like “Rien a perdre” and “Mars Express.”
While the debut falls short of recent big-budget U.S. releases like Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” and Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie,” which saw 150,000 and 359,889 admissions on their opening day in France on July 19, respectively, it marks Scott’s most successful French launch in years. In comparison, his last two films, “House of Gucci” and “The Last Duel,” only sold 33,895 and 22,000 tickets in their respective opening days in French theaters.
Comscore France’s Eric Marti says “Napoleon” might sell about one million tickets in its first week and could double or triple that figure over the Christmas holiday. It will still be a long The hopes were high for “Napoleon” to replicate the success of Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” in France, which premiered in 2000 and sold 195,000 tickets on its opening day. Starring Joaquin Phoenix alongside Russell Crowe, “Gladiator” ultimately garnered 4.7 million admissions in French theaters.
Also Read: What is Deepfake rules, Targeting Creators and Social Media
However, in the current cinematic landscape, the French box office has been dominated by films like “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (7.36 million tickets), “Barbie” (5.84 million tickets), the franchise-based French adventure comedy “Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Kingdom” (4.62 million tickets), “Oppenheimer” (4.45 million tickets), and another French comedy, “Alibi.com 2” (4.3 million).
Marti highlights the resurgence of the French theatrical market, bouncing back to pre-pandemic levels in both box office earnings and the variety of movies available. Despite the stiff competition, “Napoleon” aims to leave its imprint in this flourishing cinematic landscape.
He also emphasizes the unexpected success of numerous arthouse films, such as Justine Triet’s Palme d’Or winner “Anatomy of a Fall” (1.3 million admissions) and “The Boy and the Heron” (1.25 million admissions). Interestingly, the animated feature by Hayao Miyazaki outperformed Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” by a few thousand tickets. This underlines the dynamic and diverse nature of the current French film scene.
Unintended Laughter: Evaluating the Humorous Quirks in ‘Napoleon’
In the realm where seriousness should prevail, ‘Napoleon‘ inadvertently serves up moments of unintended comedy. The film offers truly peculiar line readings, such as “Destiny brought me this lamb chop,” and a reference to a “succulent breakfast” that feels like a direct lift from a viral 1991 news segment. These instances, grotesquely entertaining for a fraction of the total runtime, contribute to an overall peculiar viewing experience.
Long before reaching the halfway mark, my fervent wish was for ‘Napoleon‘ to conclude. This sentiment isn’t rooted in a disregard for historical loyalty; the abundance of biopics in 2023, including ‘Oppenheimer,’ ‘Blackberry,’ ‘Priscilla,’ and even ‘Tetris,’ has demonstrated that compelling narratives can emerge while taking liberties with historical facts.
The key lies in connecting even minimally with the internal life of the subject, a feat that Scott’s portrayal of Napoleon fails to achieve. In contrast, Abel Gance’s 1927 attempt, now celebrated as a groundbreaking masterpiece that revolutionized filmmaking, faltered so dramatically that it contributed to the downfall of his career. The fate awaiting Ridley Scott in the aftermath of ‘Napoleon‘ remains an intriguing prospect.
Meet the Cast of ‘Napoleon’: A Stellar Ensemble Brings History to Life”
Directed by Ridley Scott, the film stars Joaquin Phoenix in the central role of Napoleon Bonaparte, accompanied by Vanessa Kirby portraying Empress Joséphine, Tahar Rahim as Paul Barras, Mark Bonnar as Jean-Andoche Junot, Youssef Kerkour as Marshal Davout, and Rupert Everett as Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington. This ensemble cast collaboratively weaves the intricate and multifaceted narrative of Napoleon, presenting a compelling cinematic experience for the audience.
Also Read: Dolly Parton in Cowboys Cheerleader Outfit: Thanksgiving Halftime Hits, Biography, LifeStyle
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. Where can I watch Napoleon once it’s no longer in theaters?
A. After its theatrical run, Napoleon will be accessible for streaming on Apple TV+. The specific release date for online viewing has not been disclosed yet.
Q. What is the main theme of the historical drama Napoleon?
A. Napoleon delves into the life of its namesake, highlighting aspects such as his romantic relationships, military journey, and ascent to power. The film captures his tumultuous connection with Josephine and showcases his innovative military strategies.
Joaquin Phoenix takes on the iconic role of Napoleon in Ridley Scott’s latest film. Join us as we explore this grand biographical drama, where Scott delves into the 30-year journey of the former French emperor. Phoenix portrays Napoleon Bonaparte, a figure still shrouded in mystery, much like other historical figures with an insatiable thirst for…
