"Napoleon" Movie Review

Embarking on gallant military conquests through some of the most chilling and arid conditions on the planet and becoming the first emperor of France, Napoleon Bonaparte etched his name in the history books with his displays of ambition and fortitude. However, did director Ridley Scott get a bit too carried away with his “larger than life” persona when depicting the French general and emperor in his latest biopic, “Napoleon”?

“Napoleon” depicts the life of Napoleon Bonaparte, played by award-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix, from his early military victories during the beginning of the French Revolution to his relationship with his beloved wife, Josephine. Phoenix showcased Napoleon’s nervous tendencies and subtle insecurities, especially during his interactions with Josephine.

This tempestuous relationship cannot be reduced to an occasional fight. The film showed both parties having deep insecurities that prevented them from being able to foster a healthy relationship.

One scene in particular stands out, where they force each other to say, “You are nothing without me.” This powerful exchange shows how neither of them was complete, and in order to have a healthy relationship, one cannot be dependent on the other.

That being said, it seems they truly did love each other, and it was interesting to see how much of the film was centered around Josephine. There is no doubt that she was responsible for much of his success and his ability to lead the French army and rule as emperor.

After their divorce, they still kept in contact and sent letters to each other while Napoleon was struggling during his voyage to Moscow.

Overall, the film was shot beautifully. The audience was able to step into the battlefields and see every detail of the wars, with close-ups of the soldier’s expressions and the physical tax the elements had on them. Scott also included many scenes with French and Austrian nobility to show the vast difference in lifestyles during a time when some people had so much while others so little.

The film was well cast, and each of the historical figures was very believable in their roles. However, despite Phoenix’s outstanding performance and the excellent directorship from Scott, the elephant in the room must be addressed.

Many of the events depicted in the movie were not historically accurate. From firing cannons at the Egyptian pyramids to trapping and ambushing the Russians and Austrians at the Battle of Austerlitz and even Napoleon riding into battle alongside his cavalry, all were false.

This issue proved to be a deterrent for audience members and made it easy for critics to criticize the film. In the end, the historical errors left many asking one question; “Why was it necessary to fabricate elements of one of the most prominent historical figures in the history of the world?”

It is crucial for the audience to understand that “Napoleon” is a biopic and, therefore, was not intended to be an entirely historically accurate documentary on the life of Napoleon. Labeling it as a biopic, or a film that “dramatizes the life of a historical figure,” gives Ridley Scott the creative freedom to stretch the truth to make it a more entertaining experience for the viewer.

Rating: 3/5

Matthew Peters is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email mbp5830@psu.edu.