Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon” has been test-screened a few times already — I posted four reactions so far this year, masterpiece, masterpiece, mixed and negative.
Here’s a fifth one, from a seasoned tester, he’s at practically all of them. I trust this guy’s opinion, and he’s proven to be fairly accurate over the year with these sort of things.
Suffice to say, he didn’t like it. This review claims that this is “Scott on autopilot,” adding that the people at his screening were “mixed-to-negative” on it. At this point, with all of these different reactions, there is no consensus for this film based on the test screenings.
It’s alright. Really well-scaled battle sequences but typical political moments dominate about 80% of the movie occasionally brought to life by Joaquin Phoenix’s take on Napoleon. He’s as twitchy and sporadic as what you’ve read in history books which is fitting because that’s how the movie essentially plays out as with nothing exciting to offer. Kirby is also quite electric whenever she’s onscreen, but takes a backseat for most the movie and is relegated to an ice queen. The movie is quite lengthy and you really feel the time after every war/battle scene but because they are so few in between this feels like Scott on autopilot mode for a major studio.
As for its awards chances, this viewer believes the film has a shot at a Best Actor nomination and maybe a few other tech categories, but nothing else:
I think a lot of the praise will be for Phoenix’s performance, which is quite showy and he’s in almost every frame, but I found myself a bit exhausted towards the third act. Just him and possibly some sound mixing/costumes
We should also add that screenwriter Matthew Wilder wrote on his instagram last month that Scott’s film is “one of the best films I’ve seen in years”.
“Napoleon” has been “Rated R” for strong violence, some grisly images, sexual content and brief language. The runtime is 157 minutes. It is set to be released theatrically on November 22nd.
Produced and financed by Apple, Scott’s epic reunites the filmmaker with Phoenix as the European conquering emperor. Scott is 85, but this is one of the most ambitious films of his career. It is said to tackle Napoleon’s world-conquering theatrics, not to mention his frosty relationship with wife Joséphine (Vanessa Kirby).
This will likely not be a critically-acclaimed triumph, but how can you not be intrigued at the prospect of seeing Joaquin Phoenix as Bonaparte. It’s a high-wire bit of casting on the part of Scott. I’m way more excited for this film than his “Gladiator” sequel.
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