Directed by Ridley Scott (The Martian (2015); American Gangster (2007); Black Hawk Down (2001); Alien (1979)) and starring Joaquin Phoenix (Walk the Line (2005); Gladiator (2000); The Master (2012); Joker (2019)), Vanessa Kirby (Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018); Pieces of a Woman (2020); Queen & Country (2014)), Rupert Everett (Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016); A Royal Night Out (2015); St Trinian's (2007)) and Tahar Rahim (A Prophet (2009); The Mauritanian (2021); The Past (2013)).
Action drama; 158 mins; 12+
Starting off in 1789 and the - rather graphic - beheading of Marie Antoinette a few years later, the film charts the chequered life of Napoleon Bonaparte (Joaquin Phoenix) in two parallel strands: his rise and fall in the military and his journey for power - and respect - in France from his humble beginnings as an artillery officer from Corsica, and his relationship with Josephine (Vanessa Kirby).
The film follows a chronological sequence, next showing how he freed Toulon from the English, how he garnered respect from certain quarters, including Paul Barras (Tahar Rahim), a politician during the times of the French Revolution, and the main executive leader of the Directory regime of 1795–1799. It shows him in Egypt and it also charts a number of other battles, often with great losses of lives (also on the French side), including when he invaded Russia and marched on Moscow.
The film culminated with the Battle of Waterloo which happened between his two exiles. Here - a land battle, which is where Napoleon feels most confident - is where he was up against not only the English troops under the Duke of Wellington (Rupert Everett), but also the arriving troops from their allies.
One of the rather interesting points was the macro perspectives on the relationship between France, Austria, Russia and England during those times.
Great costume/production design, as well as stellar acting from Joaquin Phoenix in the titular role; however, the overall production fails to add up to the sum of its parts.
Despite this, it is an interesting history lesson, and one that many youngsters will most likely use as a basis for their understanding of that period of French/European history. It does not just portray military history, but it also covers his two exiles, as well as focusses on his volatile relationship with Josephine which continued after their divorce which came about - portrayed as for the greater good of France - as she could not bear him children.
Currently screening in Luxembourg at Kinepolis and CiNextDoor, among other cinemas.
