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In the realm of historical epics, Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon,” featuring Joaquin Phoenix as the Machiavellian emperor, failed to impress both critics and audiences alike. The film was criticized for its disjointed narrative, tonal inconsistencies, and its lack of meaningful insight into the historical figure it portrayed. Among the dissenting voices was actor Brian Cox, who didn’t mince words when sharing his thoughts on the unpopular film.
Speaking at a London History Festival on April 14, Cox didn’t hold back in expressing his disdain for Phoenix’s performance in the title role. The “Succession” star labeled Phoenix’s portrayal as “terrible” and “appalling,” placing the blame for the film’s shortcomings almost entirely on the actor’s shoulders. According to Cox, Phoenix’s performance was a significant factor in the film’s overall poor quality, suggesting that the director also failed to guide him effectively and criticizing the narrative as built on “lies.”
But Cox didn’t limit his critique to Phoenix’s performance alone. The veteran actor went on to express his belief that he could have done a better job than Phoenix, even playfully poking fun at the actor’s name. “I think he’s well-named. Joaquin… ‘whackeen’… whacky. It’s a sort of whacky performance,” Cox quipped.
Now, you might be wondering why Cox, who had no involvement in the film, was discussing “Napoleon” at the History Festival. Well, it turns out that Cox’s panel was specifically focused on the representation of history in stage and screen productions. In addition to criticizing “Napoleon,” Cox didn’t hesitate to critique his own filmography, citing “Braveheart” as another example of historical inaccuracy. According to Cox, the film, in which he played the uncle of Mel Gibson’s William Wallace, was “a load of nonsense and lies.” Cox’s candid remarks demonstrate his commitment to historical accuracy and his willingness to call out inaccuracies wherever he sees them.