gridsleep
Such a simple little story taken to extremes of intense gentleness, not seen very often in this age of cookie cutter histories and juke box melodrama. Ian Holm is never anything but splendid. It is not often one is given a chance to see history not as it was, but as it should have been.I have wept at many a sad film, and a few novels, but this is the first time I have wept copious tears of joy. The ending is so happy, I cannot even now contain it as I enter these words. It is redemption, plain and simple. The reward most sought after in all providence, and the rarest to be attained. See this film and be changed.
tnhelliott
First off I need to say that Ian Hom is amazing. To be able to play two different characters of two different persuasions and bearings is mind-blowing. This film is whimsical and fun and a very good "what if" of history. Parts of it are sad and parts are humorous and all of it is good. A human element is given to characters whom are known to history solely for their deeds and every character in the film has depth of field and a real personality. Many of the scenes are played out in textbook fashion with a beginning a middle and an end with rising and falling action and yet each scene propels the story line further and is a driving force to the film as a whole. My personal favorite moment in the film is the melon scene where Naploean as an exile in his own country still becomes a general of a an army of melon merchants. Sheer brilliance and very beautiful in its humanity. This film shows that although a person can't change whop they are, everyone can change direction and find love.
Claudio Carvalho
Napoleon Bonaparte (Ian Holm) is exiled in Saint Helena, after being defeated in Waterloo, and his loyal friends plot a daring plan to upraise Paris: Napoleon would swap place with the sailor and deck washer Eugene Lenormand (Ian Holm), and once in Paris with Napoleonic loyalists, Eugene would expose himself to the British troops. However, the ship where Napoleon is hidden does not harbor in Paris, and the impostor enjoys his new lifestyle and does not reveal his true identity. Meanwhile, Napoleon falls in love with Nicole 'Pumpkin' Truchaut (Iben Hjejle), the widow of a loyal soldier of his troops. 'The Emperor's New Clothes' is a great and delightful satire of the last years of Napoleon Bonaparte's life. The cast is magnificent, highlighting the performance of Ian Holm and the gorgeous Iben Hjejle (the young prostitute Liva Psilander of 'Mifune'). The reconstitution of the period and the photography of the streets of Paris are also amazing. The lunatics pretending to be Napoleon, symbol of crazy people, in the institution for mentally ill is one of the funniest parts of the movie. 'The Emperor's New Clothes' has comedy, drama and romance in right doses and is a great entertainment, recommended for the whole family. My vote is eight.Title (Brazil): 'As Novas Roupas do Imperador' ('The Emperor's New Clothes')
nickmendoza
Great acting from Ian Holmes and Iben Hjejle is very very good too, having seen all the movies from Napoleon this is probably the most fun and refreshing of them all great twist on the story itself most likely not true but great anyway.
AD
