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‘Napoleon’ Director Ridley Scott Dismisses Critics: “The French Don’t Even Like Themselves’
DeaDLINE ^ | 19 Nov 2023 | Caroline Frosgt

Posted on 11/19/2023 5:39:58 PM PST by Rummyfan

Ridley Scott has been typically dismissive of critics taking issue with his forthcoming movie Napoleon, particularly French ones.

While his big-screen epic, starring Joaquin Phoenix as the embattled French emperor with Vanessa Kirby as his wife Josephine, has earned the veteran director plaudits in the UK, French critics have been less gushing, with Le Figaro saying the film could have been called “Barbie and Ken under the Empire,” French GQ calling the film “deeply clumsy, unnatural and unintentionally clumsy” and Le Point magazine quoting biographer Patrice Gueniffey calling the film “very anti-French and pro-British.”

“When you start to go ‘oh my God’ and then you say ‘Christ, we can’t eat for another hour,’ it’s too long.”

Scott, a veteran of big screen hits from Alien to Gladiator and Black Hawk Down, said he couldn’t resist telling the story of Napoloeon: “He’s so fascinating. Revered, hated, loved… more famous than any man or leader or politician in history. How could you not want to go there?”

And his star Joaquin Phoenix, who first worked for Scott 23 years ago in Gladiator, shared that he was excited to team up again with a director he still felt gratitude towards:

“The studio did not want me for Gladiator. In fact, Ridley was given an ultimatum and he fought for me and it was just this extraordinary experience.”

Ridley is really turning into an old grouch. Of course the French are gonna bash an Englishman’s take on Napoleon. Par for the course. Thank god he didn’t do Washington!

I watched the trailer twice. All I could think was, “This looks like the Joker playing Napoleon.” Enough with the hat and the hand in his coat; it’s so played out.

(Excerpt) Read more at deadline.com ...


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: cheapskate; critics; director; donatefreerepublic; france; french; hollywood; jimknowsdonors; movies; napoleon; ridleyscott; tightwad
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To: ClearCase_guy

In real life, Napoleon repositioned guns to fire upon Russian and Austrian units which were escaping across one or two small lakes.


21 posted on 11/19/2023 6:24:13 PM PST by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion, or satire, or both.)
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To: Tijeras_Slim

Thanks for the tip on “The Duelists”. Hadn’t heard of it before; looks good.


22 posted on 11/19/2023 6:38:40 PM PST by Carriage Hill (A society grows great when old men plant trees, in whose shade they know they will never sit.)
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To: Rummyfan

Napoleon- -and not Napoleon dynamite, which likely exceeds this film in excellence by 4 stars by any aspect- is portrayed in the Bill and Ted time travel flick perfectly. When the guys critique his mini model plans for battle he reaches back, knocks over all the little army guys without flinching. No facial expression. It’s him. It’s hilarious and it’s all I or anyone needs to see about Napoleon on film in my opinion


23 posted on 11/19/2023 6:38:59 PM PST by stanne
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To: Rummyfan

Needs more mimes.


24 posted on 11/19/2023 6:39:16 PM PST by Organic Panic (Democrats. Memories as short as Joe Biden's eyes)
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To: Carriage Hill

It was his first film I think, visually magnificent. Opened in a few theaters. My DVD has “The Best Film You’ve never seen on it”.


25 posted on 11/19/2023 6:44:30 PM PST by Tijeras_Slim
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To: BenLurkin

I’m not sitting in Movie Thearter for 2:30 hours.


26 posted on 11/19/2023 7:07:15 PM PST by cowboyusa (YESHUA IS KING OF AMERICA! DEATH TO MARXISM AND LOBALISM! AMERICA, COWBOY UP!)
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To: Rummyfan

This is the first movie I have wanted to see for entertainment in a long time. I’m still unsure if I am willing to give my money to people I know hate me and want me dead. But the real story is epic and the movie might be great. What to do?


27 posted on 11/19/2023 7:26:17 PM PST by wgmalabama (Censored )
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To: lee martell

Jesus is more revered and more famous than Napoleon. Adding the ‘in history’ is saddam hussein level hyperbole


28 posted on 11/19/2023 7:36:56 PM PST by Long Jon No Silver (Rrily)
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To: Rummyfan

29 posted on 11/19/2023 7:44:14 PM PST by Long Jon No Silver (Rrily)
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To: Rummyfan

Nothing will likely ever top 1970’s joint Italian-Soviet Movie “Waterloo,” which included 17,000 soldiers from the Soviet Red Army dressed in Napoleonic-era uniforms and trained in 1815 tactical formations. No CGI.


30 posted on 11/19/2023 7:46:55 PM PST by Jay W
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To: Rummyfan

If we need someone to surrender, we will call the French.


31 posted on 11/19/2023 7:54:56 PM PST by JimRed (TERM LIMITS, NOW! Finish the damned WALL! TRUTH is the new HATE SPEECH!)
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To: Rummyfan

Trailers look good.


32 posted on 11/20/2023 3:10:07 AM PST by sauropod (The obedient always think of themselves as virtuous rather than cowardly.)
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To: I-ambush

Got it. Good one. I still have some favorite lines in my head. “Do the chickens have large talons?” The one I use most it, “I don’t understand a word you just said.”


33 posted on 11/20/2023 6:41:22 AM PST by StAntKnee (Add your own danged sarc tag)
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To: willk

Napolean beats Wellington by having better moves in the dance competition featuring “Waterloo” by ABBA.


34 posted on 11/20/2023 9:27:35 AM PST by who_would_fardels_bear (What is left around which to circle the wagons?)
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To: who_would_fardels_bear
Napolean beats Wellington by having better moves in the dance competition featuring “Waterloo” by ABBA.

Of course he did, because the British competitor was required to wear ...


35 posted on 11/20/2023 9:35:55 AM PST by BlueLancer (Think of it as evolution in action. [Oath of Fealty - Pournelle and Niven])
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To: Rummyfan

I like Ridley Scott. I like Juaquin Phoenix. I like Napoleon as a fascinating historical figure. I did not like the new Napoleon film.

Scott has done and is capable of much better. Phoenix was miscast as Napoleon. Nothing that made Napoleon (and Josephine) a fascinating historical figure came across in the movie.


36 posted on 11/25/2023 1:48:42 PM PST by BradyLS (DO NOT FEED THE BEARS!)
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