If you are looking for a history lesson you are missing the point...
I want to start by stating I am an avid history buff. Cannot say I've read every book on Napoleon out there, but I've read a bit and watched enough to get the idea.
THIS IS A CHARACTER STUDY, NOT A HISTORY LESSON. They take the events of his life (in all reality he would have been about 16 at the beginning of this story) and put them together to give you an idea of who this man could have been. I thought Pheonix did a fantastic job portraying a realistic version of this controversial character. It shows Napoleon as not a one dimensional military leader or a mad man, but as a human with a sense of humor, major flaws and at times he is even heroic. Kirby cannot be understated here either as she is just as mesmerizing to watch. At times I felt as if I was watching a film about two rockstars, the crazy ups, the tragic downs, all along with everything that comes with the world having their eyes on you.
Let's take one example of another historical "inaccuracy" that seems to be brought up a bit. Napoleon did not break the ice intentionally (that we know of) killing many enemy soldiers... That said, it is a great entertaining anecdote that gets across the point that this man was a military genius in an entertaining fashion for those who might not understand military terminology and tactics.
In conclusion I will leave it with this: My wife (who I drag to many movies) stated that "Killers of the Flower Moon" felt like an hour too long, "Oppenheimer" felt like it dragged on, yet with "Napoleon" and its longer run time she stated "it flew by very fast". I must say I agree with her and seeing as she is more of a casual movie goer not picking things apart as I do, I think that is saying something. Furthermore if it gets someone interested in learning more, that is a win as well.
THIS IS A CHARACTER STUDY, NOT A HISTORY LESSON. They take the events of his life (in all reality he would have been about 16 at the beginning of this story) and put them together to give you an idea of who this man could have been. I thought Pheonix did a fantastic job portraying a realistic version of this controversial character. It shows Napoleon as not a one dimensional military leader or a mad man, but as a human with a sense of humor, major flaws and at times he is even heroic. Kirby cannot be understated here either as she is just as mesmerizing to watch. At times I felt as if I was watching a film about two rockstars, the crazy ups, the tragic downs, all along with everything that comes with the world having their eyes on you.
Let's take one example of another historical "inaccuracy" that seems to be brought up a bit. Napoleon did not break the ice intentionally (that we know of) killing many enemy soldiers... That said, it is a great entertaining anecdote that gets across the point that this man was a military genius in an entertaining fashion for those who might not understand military terminology and tactics.
In conclusion I will leave it with this: My wife (who I drag to many movies) stated that "Killers of the Flower Moon" felt like an hour too long, "Oppenheimer" felt like it dragged on, yet with "Napoleon" and its longer run time she stated "it flew by very fast". I must say I agree with her and seeing as she is more of a casual movie goer not picking things apart as I do, I think that is saying something. Furthermore if it gets someone interested in learning more, that is a win as well.
- codyfleury
- Nov 27, 2023