“Napoleon” (2023) Review

There are many shades of how Ridley Scott approaches this interpretation of Napoleon Bonaparte. There are the expected moments of grandness, as when the elaborate wars of hundreds of soldiers soar across the screen. There are intriguing moments of subtle exploration of the French leader’s egotism and decay. But there are also scenes with absurdity, as when Napoleon ejaculates early on his wife and makes such ludicrous statements as “Destiny has brought this porkchop to me.” It’s a mess of eleme...