The Emperor's New Clothes (2001)

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.

Ian Holm brings his classic understated acting to the dual roles of Napoleon and his double Eugene.Minor quibbles... at 70, Ian is a tad old to be playing a 52 year old, and his relationship with the thoroughly yummy Pumpkin (Iben Hjejle, who turned down the role of Arwen for the Lord of the Rings (?! now THERE's an alternate history for ya)) is, erm, best glossed over swiftly. And I know it's a movie, but no street in Paris in 1821 was EVER that clean. Apart from that... in every other respect, the soundtrack, editing, casting, costumes, script and tone, it's great fun, and a suitable movie for when you want to be able to watch something that doesn't have explosions, gun play, anything resembling explicit sex or cursing. You know, over Christmas and Thanksgiving when you're trapped in the house with elderly relatives.Watch out for: Holm's face as his character peruses the booths selling Waterloo memoribilia; The 'melon attack plan' scene, which is going on my personal goodies reel and in which one glimpses what a blazing intellect Napoleon was when faced with a tactical and logistical problem; Iben's face as she addresses her dead husband (best crying I've seen by an actress in many moons); Holm's face as he realizes where the good Dr. Lambert (Tim McInnerny) has ditched him.Eddie Marsan as Marchand is great - he gets one little bit that is priceless; all the rest of the supporting cast, including Nigel Terry (I didn't recognize him from John Boorman's Excalibur) are great.Recommended.

Did not grab attention from outset and never recovered.I think Ian Holm must have realised this was a challenging role, in acting two parts for a film centered on his characters.It is a pity the story was so mediocre. We found it easy to ignore this film as it played.It was simply not attention-grabbing, rather stulted and dull (possibly an effect of the soundtrack?) We were impressed by very good recording of rain-sound and of Holm's voice; were impressed by his performance and those of other actors.I conclude that a historical fancy does not make entertainment necessarily. This is much too banal a film for my affection. I do not believe that anyone can be at fault for this but the storywriter(s).

This movie was outstanding! A neat little conspiracy theory about the true last years of Napoleon Bonaparte. Ian Holm is fantastic as both Napoleon and Lenormand. The military strategy of watermelons is hilarious. If you missed this in the the theaters, you've got to rent it! 10/10!