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If there is one thing Ridley Scott can deliver, it is an epic film. To his credit, he wastes no time covering Napoleon’s rise, fall, rise and fall. The real surprise is how funny the scenes are between battles. Screenwriter David Scarpa fully utilizes the talents of Joaquin Phoenix’s acting chops. His performance as the military commander is nothing less than riveting. Between battlefield scenes, we get a glimpse into his relationship with the sensual Josephine. It is a fearless performance by Vanessa Kirby. ‘Napoleon’ is a cinematic spectacle that should not be missed.
The film opens with Marie Antoinette (famous for the line “Let them eat cake”). The monarchy is abolished with the drop of the guillotine to her head. The ambitious artilleryman Napoleon made a name for himself at the Siege of Toulon. He quickly gets promoted to brigadier general. On the battlefield, he is a formidable opponent. He pummels his enemy with cannons, uses surprise attacks and draws them into traps. When he returns home to Josephine, she always appears to have the upper hand even when she cheats on him. It is an undying relationship that continues even when he needs to dissolve their union for a younger bride that can bear him an heir to the throne.
Scott keeps the pacing brisk without weighing it down with too much dry dialogue. In fact, when Napoleon is between battles, the film takes on the tone of a farce. The British navy are a thorn in Napoleon’s side throughout his reign. He screams, “You think you’re so great because you have boats!” He throws his armies around without the slightest concern for the loss of life. The film covers major battle campaigns such as Austerlitz, Borodino and the Battle of Waterloo that ultimately ended Napoleon’s power and exiled him to the island of Helena. The battle scenes gave me chills. They are done on a grand scale with all the blood and gore. Scott’s set pieces are dazzling.
Some are saying Phoenix’s performance is discordant. I agree that the characterization comes off as erratic. Aren’t megalomaniacs obsessed with their power? Phoenix is spot on! Any man that leads hundreds of thousands of men into battle to their deaths must have a warped view of his self-importance. Napoleon’s biggest flaw was not being able to admit defeat. He displays this at the Battle of Waterloo. The scenes away from battle show him acting like a little boy around Josephine. One minute he is petulant and the next minute he is somber. Phoenix gives Napoleon deep layers to his character. While quarreling with Josephine at the dinner table, Napoleon quips “Destiny has brought me to this lamp chop!”
Scott is one of the last great directors of our time. He perfectly captures the rise and fall of one of the most powerful military commanders in history. The amazing thing about Napoleon is not how great he was but how insecure he was as a man. The two lead performances are brilliant. Both Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby deserve best actor nods for their stellar characterizations. Phoenix embodies Napoleon. You get the sense of how fragile Napoleon’s ego was through his turbulent portrayal. Napoleon is a masterpiece!
