Jeanne du Barry
, The Crown
, Jackie
… … THE biopics
have been in vogue in recent years. Indeed, the great historical figures fascinate viewers around the world, ready to rediscover in private the illustrious characters encountered in our history books.
Ridley Scott
inhabited by warlike stories like Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven or The Last Duelhas once again lent himself to the game by adapting the destiny of Napoleon Bonaparte. Interpreted by Joaquin Phoenix
, the commander and military leader of Corsican origin will no longer have any secrets from you… or not! Because according to the first opinions, certain historians emphasize the many historical errors or liberties present in the film. But what exactly are we criticizing him for? Answer !
An impressive historical fresco
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In order to create this 2h38 minute biopic, Ridley Scott was interested in the story of this man who left his mark on the history of France. Of Napoleon’s 61 battles, the British-American director and screenwriter chose to stage only 6 battles, including the most legendary. Over several decades, we follow the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, army general who became Emperor, but “in a less glorious light – fine strategist but poor fighter, murderous tyrant and pitiful lover“ as revealed by Alexandre Janowiak, editor at Widescreen, on X (formerly Twitter). Indeed, Ridley Scott wanted to present this character through the prism of his relationship with his wife, Josephine.
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Virulent criticism and historical falsehoods
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But here it is: at the end of a preview organized on November 14, 2023 in Paris, the French press and historians pointed out all the implausibilities, ellipses Or historical freedoms. In the Figaro MagazineThierry Lentz, director of the Fondation Napoléon, underlines “a fundamental historical misinterpretation“.”Napoleon’s decisions, ambition and destiny would have a unique cause, independent of his time, and this unique cause would be his love, absolute and possessive, for Joséphine. Historians never thought about it“, adds the historian. Criticisms which did not please Ridley Scott, having responded vehemently to the words of his detractors. Questioned by the BBC, the latter ironically said that “The French don’t even like themselves!“
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If the opinions of the Anglo-Saxon press, more positive than the French critics, underline the quality of the interpretations of Joaquin Phoenix, Vanessa Kirby (Joséphine de Beauharnais) and Tahar Rahim (Paul Barras), some of them still underline the inconsistency of the overall plot. “Despite its strength, atmosphere and solidly choreographed fights, it is a distended historical tapestry, too stretched to remain convincing, especially when it turns away from the central couple.” underlines David Rooney, journalist at The Hollywood Reporter
.
To form your own opinion, go to cinemas from November 22, 2023!
LR