Title - Napoleon
Production - Apple Studios, Scott Free Productions, Scott Free Enterprises
Starring - Joaquin Phoenix, Vanessa Kirby, Tahar Rahim, Rupert Everett, Mark Bonnar, Ben Miles, Paul Rhys, Riana Duce, Ludivine Sagnier, Edouard Philipponnat, Miles Jupp
Writer - David Scarpa
Director - Ridley Scott
Release - 30 November 2023
This was how much I did not connect with this movie. As I typed out the names in the "starring" list, I could not tell you which scenes most of these actors were in other than the handful of leads. I don't recognize their faces, I don't recognize their characters' names.
There was just something that was really off about the storytelling. The scenes, while didn't feel rushed, but had too many time jumps and cramped too many things happening into each jump.
Then there were the two fronts of the story, the war and the drama between Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby's characters. I'll be honest, going in I was fully expecting this to be a war movie. But half of the actual story was the unhealthy relationship between the two leads that started with infidelity and then to infertility - subject matters that I really cared nothing for and felt like it took away from the more entertaining part - the war.
I think there were a few parts where Scott tried to inject some goofy humour but the tone just didn't match with anything before or after, and was almost ineffective.
However, those scenes on the battlefield were amazing. They were beautifully shot with real extras and on location. A few scenes took my breath away with great cinematography. The first and final battle were the best ones and the technical achievements here cannot be overlooked, be it from the sound, costume, set design or edits.
Also, Phoenix's portrayal of Napoleon seemed a bit weird. And the whole movie felt like it had to anchor itself to Phoenix's acting to capture at least a consistent tone. Very weird.
The 2.5 hours of runtime felt more than that. I will not touch the 4-hour director's cut if it ever comes out.
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