Napoleon Review: Strong battles, performances can’t match Ridley Scott’s poorly paced biopic

Ridley Scott‘s take on Napolean features strong performances by Joquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby as well as a few brutal battle scenes. Unfortunately, the film’s meager pacing also fails to really dive into Napolean Bonaparte’s military genius or his marriage to Josephine. Kirby and Phoenix are great. However, their nonexistent French accents (Phoenix’s in particular), sometimes pull you out of scenes.

Scott and screenwriter David Scarpa‘s Napoleon biopic isn’t a cradle-to-grave story. Napoleon picks up with The French Revolution and the execution of Marie Antoinette. Napoleon uses the opportunity to lead a battle and proceeds with little resistance to move up the political ladder. Meanwhile, Josephine catches Napoleon’s eye to the point that Napoleon is literally just staring at her.

His military genius is only matched by his need to be the biggest man in the room. Eventually, his peace at any cost philosophy becomes his undoing as he has enemies on all sides and very few friends.

The relationship between Napoleon and Josephine is largely unhealthy. Yet Napoleon and Josephine can never really quit each other. Scott and Scarpa spend a significant amount of time focusing on the relationship. Kirby and Phoenix do what they can to create an interesting power dynamic.

Where Napoleon succeeds brightest is on the battlefield. There aren’t enough battle sequences or even displays of Napoleon’s military genius. However, the battle sequences are outstanding and the highlight of the film.

The production design is fantastic. The score by Martin Phipps is a bit distracting early on with a heavy use of piano that feels out of place. However, his score during the battles has the right feel.

Overall, Napoleon is a biopic that doesn’t delve deep enough to justify the story told on screen. There’s an interesting film somewhere. Perhaps the film had focused more on building up to Napoleon’s control of France or on actually showing more military strategy, then this could have been great. If you’re looking for a better, recent Ridley film, The Last Duel is streaming on Hulu.

With the overview out of the way let’s dive deeper into Scott’s most recent epic.

The rise and fall of Napoleon

Napoleon’s ascent up the ranks begins with Napoleon being given command during the Siege of Toulon. His brilliant military strategies tend to rely on placing artillery in positions that will weaken the enemy’s defenses. In Toulon, the cannons weaken castle walls. Later, in the Battle of Austerlitz, he uses cannons to destroy the ice beneath the feet of enemy combatants.

Once Napoleon begins moving up the ranks, there’s little resistance or much conflict until he starts losing. Although his ego stands in his way often. After winning the Battle of The Pyramids, Napoleon heads back to France to deal with a personal matter. The leadership questions him for disserting his men. Napoleon turns the situation around and accuses them of dishonoring France.

He begins to form powerful political alliances and quickly gains power. Eventually, he crowned himself Emperor of the French.

His military genius is only matched by his ego. After a failed invasion of Moscow, he is dethroned and sent into exile. He does return and lead more battles, but his military strategy is no longer a mystery to the British.

While the film doesn’t cover the political situation or Napoleon’s military mind with much depth, it’s still the most intriguing element of the film.

An Illadvised marriage

Napoleon meets Josephine at a party. She’s the widow of an aristocrat. Once they’re married there are two main issues that turn this erotic relationship into a troubled one.

While away in Egypt, Napoleon hears about her affair. He heads back to France to confront his wife. She begs him to let her stay, while Napoleon casually reveals he has had affairs as well, basically making it some no one has the higher ground. He wants Josephine to be completely devoted to him but is willing to cheat as he sees fit.

The other issue takes center stage once Napoleon becomes Emperor. He needs an heir to ensure his line of succession. He and Josephine are unable to conceive. There’s a quarrel over who is unable to perform.

None of these storylines are as interesting as what’s happening on the battlefield. There’s nothing about these two people that shows they love each other Napoleon certainly thinks he loves her, but is incapable of love.

Napoleon final thoughts

Overall, Scott’s latest film is a fine biopic that should do well on Apple TV Plus, but falls woefully short of being one of the better films of the year.

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