Napoleon (2023)
An epic historical drama biopic directed by Ridley Scott and starring Joaquin Phoenix.
Laura’s Rating: 3/5 Stars
Plot: A glimpse into the life of famous military commander Napoleon Bonaparte, his climb to power, and his tumultuous relationship with his wife, Josephine.
Analysis: Napoleon was weird and quirky, and unexpectedly funny. The movie is definitely stylized, with an intentional and unique editing style. The story is told over some years, so much of Napoleon’s military career is shown in singular scenes and glimpses, highlighting a major event and then moving on to the next. At first I enjoyed just seeing the highlights, but later it felt like I was missing context and a compelling narrative.
As you might expect, the film is violent throughout but inconsistently graphic. All the battle sequences were quite impressive, especially the Battle of Austerlitz on the ice. Curiously, the most screen time is spent on Napoleon’s volatile relationship with Josephine. Many of their interactions are awkward and stiff or overtly sexual and dysfunctional, making it unclear if the audience should root for their relationship.
We also spend some time learning about the political alliances forged by Napoleon and his men. Unfortunately, lots of time is dedicated to France’s developing relationships with Austria and Russia toward the beginning, only for these alliances to be glossed over later when conflict ensues.
This movie is somehow too long and too short. Some scenes and storylines were dragged out, while others had a lack of context and follow up. Allegedly there is an even longer director’s cut to be released, but I’ve already dedicated 2 hours and 38 minutes to the film. Plus, Ridley Scott has indicated that his 4 hour and 10 minute cut will further explore Empress Joséphine, which is not the part of the film I wanted extended. The movie is entertaining but not a must-see.
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