NAPOLEON – MOVIE REVIEW

Napoleon is a 2023 epic historical drama film directed and produced by Ridley Scott and written by David Scarpa. Based on the true story of Napoleon Bonaparte, primarily depicting the French leader’s rise to power as well as his relationship with Empress Joséphine, the film stars Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon and Vanessa Kirby as Joséphine.

Ridley Scott is best known for his giant adventures on big screen like the Gladiator, Kingdom of heaven and it is apt that he chose Napoleon. Given the potential for the massive scale this bopic had with its story across continents it sure had everything going for being humungous and expansive. It starts off the blocks pretty impressively, the behind the scenes politics are crafted well and then the movie slowly and surely picks a parallel narrative with the entry of Napoleon’s wife. You can see the him oscillating being in absolute control of the army while he finds it difficult to manage his personal life. The war scenes are amazingly shot with details that could discomfort a section of the audience. It is interesting to see the film being not just about his military exploits but also about his personal struggles. The movie kind of rushes everything; it is not always that you would expect a film on history feel so short. Yes at 2.38 hours it does feel short and less served on history.
Joaquin Phoenix is good, especially when he is vulnerable. Vanessa Kirby is fine. Tahar Rahim does his bit.
Dariusz Wolski’s cinematography is magnificent. The war sequences are amazingly shot. Martin Philips’ background score is effective. Clair Simpson and Sam Restivo’s editing keeps it too crisp. Dialogues are neat and direction is well.
NAPOLEON is much better while not treated as a biopic !!

NAPOLEON – NIPPY !!
2.75/5
B.U.Shreesha