The subject of a number of films (especially a groundbreaking silent film by Abel Gance), Napoleon, directed by legend, Ridley Scott (Black Hawk Down, Alien), presents a character study within a sweeping, historic drama that mostly succeeds.
The French Revolution ends a royal reign in 1793 and brings new leadership to France when young Napoleon Bonaparte (Joaquin Phoenix), an ambitious army officer, rises through the ranks with sheer bravado and military skill. As he ascends into leadership following the Reign of Terror, he meets and falls in love with Joséphine (Vanessa Kirby is quite good) which leads to a union that parallels his consolidation of power. Their relationship undergoes turmoil amid rumors of infidelity and her inability to conceive an heir. Crowning himself Emperor, he wages war on disloyal alliances especially England, and from successful campaigns in Egypt to staggering human losses in Russia, he is eventually exiled only to return with the help of loyal troops. Ultimately a coalition of European armies led by England’s Duke of Wellington defeats Napoleon at Waterloo and sends him to permanent exile, ending his reign.
David Scarpa’s extensive screenplay raises the question of how much of the depicted events are historically accurate and whether the film captures the essence of the dynamic between Napoleon and Joséphine. At 85, Scott is still in command of cinema especially epic dramas with sumptuous period details and elaborate battle scenes that recall Spartacus and Braveheart. He tries to humanize this legendary figure, a modern Caesar with a thirst for power, and he partly succeeds even though his Napoleon (well portrayed by Phoenix) is not entirely sympathetic. There are similarities to Scott’s Gladiator, but whereas the protagonist in that film elicited empathy, in this case, not so much.
****
of ***** stars (for Scott purists)
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