The Emperor's New Clothes (2002)

TOMATOMETER

73%
69%

Critic Consensus: The premise of The Emperor's New Clothes is intriguing, and Holm gives a delightful performance.

AUDIENCE SCORE

63%

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Movie Info

A fanciful retelling of the story of Napoleon Bonaparte (played by heralded actor Ian Holm, this British costume comedy suggests that it was Napoleon's double, not the man himself, who died on St. Helena Island. The film begins by presenting Napoleon after his defeat at Waterloo, at the home of a young boy (Tom Watson), where he watches a slide show of his actions and begins to tell his story. The film flashes back to Napoleon's six years of house arrest, when he dictated his memoirs to an aide (Murray Melvin). He has concocted a scheme with his sidekicks Montholon (Nigel Terry) and Bertrand (Hugh Bonneville) and a valet named Marchand (Eddie Marsan) to plant a double in his place so he can escape to Paris, where he can then reclaim his throne as emperor of France. Posing as a galley hand, Napoleon steals a ship, but mistakenly arrives in Belgium, where he must then make his way back to France by barge. When he finally arrives in Paris, he discovers his contact, Truchaut, has died, and he enlists the help of his widow Pumpkin (played by Mifune's Iben Hjelje). Unable to reveal his true identity, Napoleon kills time by using Pumpkin and other supporters to start a profitable business, and Pumpkin begins to find herself drawn to Napoleon, though knowing his real identity. The film was directed by American filmmaker Alan Taylor, who helmed the quirky 1995 comedy Palookaville.

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Cast

Ian Holm
as Napoleon Bonaparte/Eugene Lenormand
Iben Hjejle
as Pumpkin
Tim McInnerny
as Dr. Lambert
Tom Watson
as Gerard
Nigel Terry
as Montholon
Hugh Bonneville
as Bertrand
Murray Melvin
as Antommarchi
Eddie Marsan
as Marchand
Clive Russell
as Bommel
Bob Mason
as Captain Nicholls
Trevor Cooper
as Leaud
Chris Langham
as Maurice
Russell Dixon
as Dr. Quinton
George Harris
as Papa Nicholas
Hayley Carmichael
as Adele Raffin
Niall O'Brien
as Bosun
Philip McGoaugh
as English Tourist
Tim Barlow
as Bargee
Tony Vogel
as British Sergeant
Russell Tovey
as Recruit
Ashley Artus
as Junior Orderly
Roger Frost
as Bookseller
Tom Hunsinger
as Customer
Matthew Sim
as Ticket Seller
Phil Hearne
as Man
Moya Brady
as Woman
Caterina Venturini
as Barmaid
Stefano Gragnani
as Bailiff
Herve Ducroux
as Brest Contact
Giovanni Gianasso
as Philippe
Sergio Ballo
as Truchaut
Piero Lorenzo Ferrero
as Tailor
John McGlynn
as Policeman
Clive Mendus
as Senior Orderly
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Critic Reviews for The Emperor's New Clothes

All Critics (85) | Top Critics (29)

A delightful, if minor, pastry of a movie.

Jul 25, 2002 | Rating: 4/5
Orlando Sentinel
Top Critic

Viewers are asked so often to suspend belief that were it not for Holm's performance, the film would be a total washout.

Jul 19, 2002 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…
Miami Herald
Top Critic

It's a great big snore.

Jul 19, 2002
L.A. Weekly
Top Critic

Recent and long-standing fans of Holm must relish the chance to watch Sir Ian in a dual role, one that he explores with customary insight, subtlety and good humor.

Jul 19, 2002 | Rating: 3/4
Detroit News
Top Critic

[Holm] saves this film time and again with an eagle's gaze that puts you on alert, prompting you to sit up a little straighter in that theater seat.

Jul 19, 2002
Detroit Free Press
Top Critic

This new spin on the old switcheroo plot is intriguing, warmly human and gently funny.

Jul 12, 2002 | Rating: B+
Houston Chronicle
Top Critic
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Audience Reviews for The Emperor's New Clothes

[font=Century Gothic]"The Emperor's New Clothes" takes place in 1821 as Napoleon Bonaparte(Ian Holm) escapes from St. Helena after a six year exile, exchanging places with a look-a-like. The plan is for him to reach France by boat and the imposter to be revealed, allowing him to retake the throne. But the plan starts to go awry when the boat overshoots France, and he ends up in Belgium instead.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]"The Emperor's New Clothes" is not the broad comedy I was expecting(though there is a little of that here). It is actually a gentle and poignant bit of speculation about history, dreams of glory and the people trying to recapture them. Through this, the movie conveys a subtle antiwar message. And Ian Holm sets the right mood with a magnificent performance. Only the pedestrian direction hurts the movie. [/font]

Walter M.
Walter M.

Super Reviewer

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