“An epic that details the checkered rise and fall of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and his relentless journey to power through the prism of his addictive, volatile relationship with his wife, Josephine.” – IMDb
Napoleon (2023)
Starring
Joaquin Phoenix, Vanessa Kirby, Tahar Rahim, Rupert Everett, Mark Bonnar, Mark Rhys
Directed by
Ridley Scott
Written by
David Scarpa
Storyline
The film opens with a scene showing the Siege of Toulon in 1793, with an assault on a fort on the harbor. While it isn’t long-lasting, it gives you a glimpse at the weight that is on Napoleon’s shoulders. It also slightly hints at his anxiety, but I believe anyone would be anxious in such a setting. After Toulon, the recognition that Napoleon receives attracts the attention of Josephine. She will eventually become his wife, and throughout the film, their letters of correspondence provide insight into the events they are both living through.
Josephine’s son, Eugene comes to see Napoleon requesting that he retrieve his late father’s sword. We see Napoleon enter a large room full of the swords of fallen soldiers and none have names attached to them. He grabs the closest one and brings it to the family directly at their home. This is when their… let’s call it “love story”… begins. They eventually get married but even on the evening of their wedding, she appears to be flirting with someone at their wedding dinner.
We then see Napoleon attempting to liberate Egypt after having already conquered Italy.
At one point, they open a tomb. Napoleon stands on a box to place his hat on top of a mummy’s head and then lean closer, as though he wishes to hear wisdom from a past King.
“And obviously the shooting off the top of the pyramid [during a 1798 invasion of Egypt]. Nothing like that happened. But it was quite funny. When we were talking about it, and Scott said that was going to happen, some of us sort of looked at each other and said, “You know what, hang on a minute.” But he turned to me and said, “When I told you we were going to shoot off the top of the pyramid, you laughed, didn’t you?” And I said, “Well, yes.” He said, “It’s staying in then.”
While he continues to send Josephine letters, we see her having affairs with several suitors. Napoleon’s letters begin to sound desperate while questioning why she doesn’t write to him. He is then told of her indiscretions and he laughs at this news, saying that he doesn’t believe she would do that to him and they can’t expect him to believe it. His anger is not well hidden and he decides to leave Egypt- which is seen as desertion.
He returns to a bankrupt France that is nearing imminent invasion, to see that their marital issues are all over the newspapers.
His wife is not home when he returns home, “The entire world knows of my arrival but not my wife?!”. When Josephine comes back, her belongings are on the lawn getting soaked from the pouring rain. A fight ensues. “I want you to say that I am the most important thing in the world. Without me, you are nothing”.
Later on, he says that he isn’t built like other men and that he’s not one for petty insecurity (you could’ve fooled me). Josephine replies, “You are nothing without me. You are just a brute that is nothing without me. You are nothing without me or your mother.” “My Mother…” he says, as he begins to weep. This scene goes on, showing their discussions last from the darkness of night to daylight.
Eventually, Napoleon is crowned Emperor and the rest of the film is basically the previously mentioned scenes reoccurring. (Although, to various degrees and in different places). Politics, Josephine (Why can’t she get pregnant? Is she unable to have children or is he unable to produce an heir, the divorce and what comes with it etc.), war/battles, love, divorce, repercussions of life decisions and events, triumph, sorrow… there is a lot to cover in 2 hours and 38 minutes.
Thoughts
I’ve heard many jokes made at Napoleon’s expense over the years. So much so, that they had almost seemed to cloud over anything he actually did or tried to accomplish. While many of the topics that spark the jokes are included in the film, it doesn’t feel like anything is overly focused on. I wasn’t expecting Josephine’s role in his life to be such an important factor in the film, but I also shouldn’t be surprised by it.
As with any Ridley Scott film, the budget is put to good use and the scenes involving war are enthralling. However, I am a fan of such scenes in general. For those who look away during battle scenes- I am not sure what else you may find appealing about this movie. That is unless the historical factor or Joaquin Phoenix is reason enough for you to watch it. (Which, I understand. I love him too).
Overall
Would I rush to watch it again? No, I wouldn’t. Usually, I am very open to watching movies numerous times if it means watching them with people who have yet to see them. I think I have already filled my quota for this film.
I did not hate it, and to my great surprise, I even got emotional at the end. Whether this is merely due to spending nearly 3 hours with a character, or a sign of how good the film is, I do not know. The scene of the Battle of Austerlitz in 1805 was one of my favorite parts. Perhaps it was the setting of being on the ice surrounded by snow, or how it was short and simple. In either case, I thought it was beautiful.
The costumes, set design, storyline, and the actor’s performances- they are all getting a thumbs up from me. I think the film industry is saturated with works based on history and war and for good reason. There are many other films that include/are based on Napoleon but I’m glad to have seen Scott’s take on it. Will it be everyone’s cup of tea? No. If you watch these films solely to be entertained by violent scenes of war, you may as well choose another movie to view. There is much more to this film than “guts and glory”; it will just be up to you to pay attention.
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