Ridley Scott’s highly anticipated 2023 epic biographical action war movie Napoleon starring Joaquin Phoenix has failed to meet the expectations as the buzz hyped. Following its release, the movie has received huge criticism for several flaws including historical inaccuracy.
Phoenix and Scott have defended the movie ever since stating the fact that historical biopics are not deemed to be one hundred percent accurate as it upholds creative freedom for the sake of the narrative. The movie was also in the Oscar buzz, at least, Phoenix was. Now, it is moving in a different direction.
Joaquin Phoenix Defended Napoleon From Criticism
Responding to the wide criticism, Joaquin Phoenix took a jibe at critics. “So much of his life is up for interpretation. Right from the beginning, I put my own curiosity and interests on it,” Phoenix said in an interview with Forbes.
“I mean, they were probably some things that were critical, you can’t really defy the facts, but I remember very early on, I was watching this video of two academics that had written books about Napoleon, it was just them, literally arguing for an hour and a half about facts, about his life, on which they did not agree with each other on. So there are some things where there is a general consensus, where people accept certain facts. But when you get into the idea of relationships, you understand ‘Ok he was immature, he did not know how to be with a woman (…) How can you apply that to this particular scene?”
The actor further stated, that sometimes “you make the wrong choice” adding that “if you’re just being rigid, and just sticking to facts” there would not be a movie for everyone to enjoy.
Also read: Military Expert Calls Joaquin Phoenix, Ridley Scott Critics Wrong as Napoleon Was a “Big Bluffer”
Joaquin Phoenix Got Much-Needed Support
While Phoenix’s most recent flick Napoleon is being trashed for more than one reason, the actor stood in line with his director Ridley Scott to defend the movie after being bombarded with negative reviews. Several critics and historians have pointed out the historical inaccuracies depicted in the film including Napoleon would never actually charge into battle with his cavalry. The movie also received a huge backlash for the huge age gap between Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby. Kirby is 14 years younger which was contrasting to the history.
Like Scott, Phoenix has fired back at critics saying that the movie was not designed to be historically accurate. Several fans have come in for the actor’s rescue, “I don’t think he needs to defend himself he ain’t even write the movie,” a fan wrote on YouTube.
“Some people really just shouldn’t watch movies. It’s like when people complain about the actor not resembling the real person enough; who f*cking cares? You’re not watching time travel. “Uhhh the real person was 6ft and the actor is 6ft 1 which is uhhh like a difference,” another wrote.
Certainly, there’s “no movie that is going to be 100% historically accurate,” another wrote and they argued, “If you want to learn about Napolean, read books. No matter who directs, nobody can capture all the historical accuracies in an interesting cinematic way.” The movie is still running in theaters and the reception is not so promising but many fans have appreciated the movie for the stunning cinematic journey of the characters.
Napoleon is currently running in theaters.
