Napoleon

This ambitious biographical epic is a mind-boggling achievement in logistical terms, but it's less impressive as a piece of drama. Flashing back and forth between Napoleon Bonaparte's (Christian Clavier) glory years and his 1818 exile on St. Helen's island, the film touches upon his humble origins and examines Napoleon's rise to power after his suppression of a Royalist uprising cements his solidarity with the populist masses. After marrying Josephine de Beauharnais (Isabella Rossellini) and adopting her two children, Napoleon increasingly relies on her knowledge of regime-shifting politics. Although his military reputation soars after a 1796 victory in Italy, the di...