Roy Narra reviews Ridley Scott’s latest epic ‘Napoleon’ starring Joaquin Phoenix in the titular role and Vanessa Kirby as his wife Josephine. Showing in PH cinemas this November 29. Spoilers are present in this review.
Aside from the numerous epic war battles he led for France and, let’s be real, his reputation as a short person (which has been disputed so many times, and yet, that’s what he’s known for), who is Napoleon Bonaparte? In Ridley Scott’s biography of the French Emperor, Napoleon (Joaquin Phoenix) wants power not just on the battlefield, in politics, and in history, but also in his relationship with Josephine (Vanessa Kirby).
Napoleon depicts Bonaparte’s rise from being a young army officer to the emperor of France with his successful military strategies, sharp political wit, and undeniable charisma to the public. Phoenix is no stranger to playing characters in period films but Napoleon is his biggest and challenging role among them all. Yet, the Academy Award-winning actor effortlessly shines in this gargantuan role, further proving himself as one of the best, if not the best, versatile actors right now.
The problem with some actors playing real-life figures is they resort to caricatures, emphasizing their most known characteristics as if they’re playing in Drag Race’s Snatch Game. There are still the quirks attached to Napoleon like his short figure, his clumsiness, and his ego: He unknowingly wounds his neck while shaving, he trips and limps when he is running from an angry crowd, and he awkwardly and roughly humps Josephine during their honeymoon. Phoenix, still, humanized him. He made me understand and sympathize with Napoleon, a deeply insecure man masquerading as a courageous general and emperor.
Aside from Phoenix, Napoleon also boasts the 85-year-old Scott’s talent and vision for a visual cinematic treat. Every battle was thrilling, every occupation of a city or a country was chilling, and Napoleon’s victory is emphasized and firmly established with perfect shot structures. I don’t know if the shooting of the pyramids of Giza was historically accurate but damn, that was so cool. It would be an injustice to miss this Apple TV+ film on the big screen and watch this on your phone or laptop.
But even the talented Phoenix and some cool war scenes cannot save Napoleon from its bloated, dragging direction and unfocused storytelling. Napoleon is attempting to assess two things: the historical figure’s legacy and the power dynamics in his relationship with Josephine. Funny enough, Scott had no concrete conclusion despite stretching the film for two hours and 37 minutes.
Vanessa Kirby should be recognized by the Pope for exerting all of her talents in a thinly-written role. Aside from being an unfaithful wife who can’t bear an heir to Napoleon, who is Josephine? What are her interests? What made her so supposedly cunning that she is a worthy opponent to Napoleon’s notion and obsession with power?
Napoleon is not a history lesson that can be added to a history teacher’s syllabus if they’re not in the mood to lecture about the French general. And yet, it’s not also triumphant with its evaluation of the protagonist’s control of power and narrative. It looks beautiful to look at but am I really going to appreciate the cinematography on my laptop?
Napoleon (R-13) is available in cinemas nationwide on November 29.
