Ridley Scott’s new historical epic isn’t good, but at least it gives us an unforgettably weird Joaquin Phoenix performance.
Photo: Aidan Monaghan/Apple TV+
All of Napoleon’s best moments are about how the brilliant military commander at its focus is also a buffoon. The Napoleon Bonaparte of the film, played by Joaquin Phoenix, dozes off with his eyes open while Directory head Paul Barras (Tahar Rahim) tries to talk to him about a matter of political urgency. When Napoleon’s gestures at peacemaking are brushed off by a British ambassador, he yelps back, “You think you’re so great because you have boats!” Presented with a mummy while on a campaign in Egypt, he climbs onto a crate to get as close as possible…
