Napoleonthe new film by Ridley Scott with protagonist Joaquin Phoenixwill arrive in Italy on November 23, 2023 but is already capturing the attention of critics and the public, eager to see it.
The French press has had mixed reactions to the film and the director recently responded to criticism with biting irony.
Ridley Scott responds to criticism from the French press and historians relating to the film Napoleon
According to reports Deadlinethe epic tale of the emperor Napoleon’s exploits did not please some French journalists and critics: Le Figaro says the film could have been called “Barbie and Ken under the Empire”, French GQ defines the film “clunky, unnatural and unintentionally clumsy” and the magazine Point quotes biographer Patrice Gueniffey defining the film “very anti-French and pro-British”.
During an interview, the BBC asked Scott to comment on this last review; the director’s response was: “Even the French don’t like other French people. The audience I presented the film to in Paris loved it.”
The film has also been criticized by some historians, who have questioned the accuracy of the events depicted. Scott responded to them by saying: “Were you there? I do not believe. So how do you know?”. On another occasion he responded to these criticisms by saying “Get a life”.
Napoleon’s political and personal life at the center of Ridley Scott’s new film
Throughout his career Ridley Scott he has brought films of various genres to the cinema, ranging from science fiction to Alien e Blade Runnerto the comedy of The genius of the scamal road movie Thelma & Louiseto historical blockbusters such as Gladiator, Robin Hood, The Last Duel.
The director revealed that he couldn’t resist the temptation to tell the story of Napoleon: “He is so handsome. Revered, hated, loved… more famous than any man, leader or politician in history. How could you not want to talk about his life?”
This is the official synopsis of the film:
Napoleon chronicles the epic rise and fall of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. The film traces Bonaparte’s unstoppable rise to power through his stormy relationship with his only true love, Josephine, showing the visionary political and military strategies of the great leader in some of the most realistic and spectacular battle scenes ever made.
The protagonists of the film are the Oscar winner Joaquin Phoenixin the role of Napoleon Bonaparte, e Vanessa Kirby in that of Josephine of Beauharnais, the emperor’s first wife. Also in the cast Tahar Rahim (interpreter of Paul Barras), Catherine Walker (Marie Antoinette of Habsburg-Lorraine), Ben Miles (Armand Augustin Louis de Caulaincourt), Ludivine Sagnier (Teresa Cabarrus) and Matthew Needham (Luciano Bonaparte).
The film has a duration of 2 hours and 38 minutes. After theatrical screenings, it will arrive on Apple TV+. The. will also be released on the streaming service director’s cutwhich, according to what Scott revealed, will reach 4 hours.