Napoleon’: There is No Undercurrent in Ridley Scott’s Confident Exploration of ‘Great Man’ Perspective
A number of notable directors have come out with biopics in the past year which concern the figure of the ”Great Man” as some sort of archetype. Great figures, scholars from varying fields have sought, only to be confronted with their “deconstruction,” thanks to filmmakers such as Christopher Nolan, Michael Mann, and Bradley Cooper. Enter Ridley Scott and his somewhat, stormy blockbuster, *Napoleon*, which centers around the many conquests of the French tyrant and yes, his rather flawed humanity.
### A Strategist and Husband
The film stars Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon Bonaparte and Vanessa Kirby as Empress Joséphine, taking the audience from the time after the fall of the French monarchy to the time after Napoleon was exiled. It also demonstrates the power that Napoleon obtained as a remarkable military leader, what his self-proclamation was like, and the events that caused it to end. But as much as the movie concentrates on his victory on the battlefields, it is also about Napoleon’s rather bumpy marriage to Joséphine.A
Scott offers a rather compelling and indeed revealing perspective of their relationship that works but at the same time places Cecelia behind the stars of the film.
Napoleon is portrayed as a complex but tragic character whose arrogance and feelings for his love Joséphine contribute to moments of drama but also of ridiculousness.
### A Complicated Portrait
Scott, unlike most biopics where one tries to romanticize the subject, does not hesitate to debunk the myth of Napoleon either. Instead, he depicts a king who exhibits unparalleled battlefield brilliance while engaging in other tasks, such as attempting to restore the imperial look of his predecessors, where he proves to be far less competent. It is such a note of criticism which would rather suit Bourough, that is, the duke of Wellington, a strategic man who respected Napoleon as a tactician but disapproved of him in other aspects of leadership.
### Technical Brilliance Meets Narrative Imperfection
Similar to *Amadeus* and *Barry Lyndon*, the cinematic feel of the film mixes the drama with scenes from the court with dark comedy. The epic violence that is showcased during in the battle scenes is brilliant, and Scott clearly excels in war dramatization. So, too, do the shifts from action to drama in this multi-layered movie sometimes lack smoothness, complicating how audiences receive the content.
### Awaiting the Full Vision
*Napoleon*, available on Apple TV+, may be one of the best movies by this director, even though the vision of this film is slightly more ambitious than the reality of the film.
Although watching the theatrical cut of the movie takes 2.5 hours, it is fascinating but does not do justice to the subject. As for Scott’s director’s cut, which is supposed to be four hours long and has not been released yet, it could be the one that brings all elements together, making it a great yay for the biopic.
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Now, you can watch the film online in the comfort of your Apple TV+.
At **Yesmovies** ( [Yesmovies](https://yesmoviesfree.online/) ), we analyze hitherto hidden and atypical views. In an unprecedented study of the nature, the dissertation surely captivates one and all, do not miss a chance to watch Ridley Scott’s tale about power, obsession and the myth of greatness.