Movie spotlight
Napoleon, exiled, devises a plan to retake the throne. He'll swap places with commoner Eugene Lenormand, sneak into Paris, then Lenormand will reveal himself and Napoleon will regain his throne. Things don't go at all well; first, the journey proves more difficult than expected, but more disastrously, Lenormand enjoys himself too much to reveal the deception. Napoleon adjusts somewhat uneasily to the life of a commoner while waiting, while Lenormand gorges on rich food.
In the final days of his reign, the flamboyant and extravagant Emperor Norton I of San Francisco, a self-proclaimed ruler of the United States and protector of Mexico, attempts to raise funds for his grand, yet ill-conceived, public works projects. He faces skepticism and ridicule from many, but finds an unlikely ally in a young theatrical actress who becomes fascinated by his eccentric charisma. The film chronicles his struggles and his enduring belief in his own destiny.
The film received a mixed to positive reception, with many critics praising Ian Holm's performance as the eccentric Emperor Norton. While some found the narrative somewhat uneven, others appreciated its unique portrayal of a historical figure and its blend of humor and pathos.
Praises for Ian Holm's captivating and nuanced portrayal of Emperor Norton.
Mixed opinions on the film's pacing and narrative coherence.
Appreciated for its unique historical subject and charming eccentricity.
Google audience: Audiences generally enjoyed the film, particularly for its historical curiosity and the lead performance. Some viewers found it to be a quirky and entertaining character study, though a portion noted it could have been more focused.
The film is based on the true story of Joshua Abraham Norton, a real historical figure who declared himself Emperor of the United States in 1859 and was a beloved eccentric in San Francisco.
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Exiled Napoleon (Sir Ian Holm) and his aides have come up with a cunning plan to get him from exile back into the heart of Paris where he can resurrect his imperial ambitions and restore his country to greatness. They have procured the serv...