Albert Zakhia

Martin Scorsese's cinematic exploration of Napoleon Bonaparte in "Napoleon" takes a controversial and highly personalized approach in its portrayal, choosing to focus significantly on the emperor’s relationship with Josephine and her apparent indifference toward him. Had the movie been titled "Josephine," perhaps reflecting the story from her perspective and how she perceived Napoleon, it might have merited a five-star rating for its intimate exploration of personal dynamics and character study. However, since the film is named "Napoleon" and aims to depict the life of the storied Emperor, its narrow scope on these personal aspects results in a portrayal that fails to capture the breadth of his public and historical significance. Therefore, I can only give it one star, based on the following considerations: The film portrays Napoleon not as the towering historical figure known for his strategic genius and administrative reforms, but rather as a man overshadowed by his emotional insecurities and romantic disappointments. This choice to depict Napoleon as a 'crying baby' in the face of adversity is a bold directorial decision but one that arguably diminishes the multifaceted nature of his real-life persona. Moreover, the historical epic surprisingly limits its scope on the military achievements of Napoleon, showcasing only two battles, with the Battle of Waterloo receiving surprisingly minimal screen time. Given that Waterloo was a pivotal moment in Napoleon's career and European history, its scant portrayal fails to convey the intensity and significance of the defeat. This choice may symbolize Napoleon's failure, but it does little justice to the scale and impact of the actual event. Scorsese's film also notably omits many of Napoleon's contributions to France, such as: - The Napoleonic Code, which drastically reformed legal systems. - Bank of France: In 1800, Napoleon established the Bank of France, which helped stabilize the French economy by controlling inflation and standardizing currency. - Centralization of the administrative system, which brought efficiency but at the cost of authoritarian control. - Educational reforms, including the creation of the lycée system and support for institutions like the École Polytechnique. - Promotion of the metric system, which standardized measurements and facilitated commerce and science. - Promotion of Scientific Institutions and Patronage of Scientists like Laplace, enhancing the scientific community. - Influence on Education and Policy, emphasizing scientific and technical education. - Napoleon's Interest in Practical Applications of Science, supporting military and governmental projects. - Political and Academic Roles held by figures like Laplace under Napoleon's regime. - Religious Reconciliation through the Concordat of 1801. - Infrastructure Improvements, including roads, canals, and ports. - Merit-based System in civil and military appointments. In conclusion, while Scorsese’s "Napoleon" offers a unique and intimate look at the personal life of Napoleon Bonaparte, it falls short of capturing the essence of his public and historical persona. The film's narrow focus on his romantic life and personal disappointments, at the expense of his political and social achievements, provides an unbalanced view of one of history’s most iconic leaders. This focus detracts from a comprehensive understanding of a figure who shaped modern Europe in profound ways.