Greg Holden

A quiet masterpiece. If you are looking for a multitude of your senses to be whirled around in a kaleidoscope of noise and action, then this movie is not for you. But if you wish to be immersed in a world where your heart and mind is allowed to explore themes of living, death, our part in this world, making a difference if only small, then enter this beautifully created piece with masterfully understated performances and feast on a piece of true art. If only more directors and actors took their craft to this level. In their own way, those involved in the making of this film, have left their own little monument that may inspire others to not leave life before submitting their own personal piece of poetry, music, art, movie-making or prose. Something that testifies that someone not only lived but added something of worth and betterment to the experience we call - living.

It feels disjointed and incomplete. If you look at the movie from costume design and set design it’s quite good and the battle scenes are truly stunning but you spend most of the movie thinking Napoleon is a bit of a wet fish or even a buffoon like in those old Punch cartoons and then right at the end of the movie you get these prompts suggesting he was a monster. It’s almost like his old English foes made this movie! They try to frame his life around his relationship with Josephine and to some degree it does offer an interesting perspective but I came away feeling like I unwrapped a big, pretty but ultimately empty box.

This movie is another McQueen socio-political piece that seems to be more interested in making a point than actually entertaining. It’s ok. Acting is ok and yet it doesn’t feel fully convincing. Not bad on a slow movie week but while it will do well with critics in our current climate. It won’t really stand the test of time. 20yrs from now they won’t be talking about this movie like they will Mad Max:Fury Road.