So much average

Good movie but grossly overrated

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Napoleon Bonaparte (Ian Holm) is exiled in Saint Helena, after being defeated in Waterloo, and his loyal friends plot a daring plan to upraise Paris: Napoleon would swap place with the sailor and deck washer Eugene Lenormand (Ian Holm), and once in Paris with Napoleonic loyalists, Eugene would expose himself to the British troops. However, the ship where Napoleon is hidden does not harbor in Paris, and the impostor enjoys his new lifestyle and does not reveal his true identity. Meanwhile, Napoleon falls in love with Nicole 'Pumpkin' Truchaut (Iben Hjejle), the widow of a loyal soldier of his troops. 'The Emperor's New Clothes' is a great and delightful satire of the last years of Napoleon Bonaparte's life. The cast is magnificent, highlighting the performance of Ian Holm and the gorgeous Iben Hjejle (the young prostitute Liva Psilander of 'Mifune'). The reconstitution of the period and the photography of the streets of Paris are also amazing. The lunatics pretending to be Napoleon, symbol of crazy people, in the institution for mentally ill is one of the funniest parts of the movie. 'The Emperor's New Clothes' has comedy, drama and romance in right doses and is a great entertainment, recommended for the whole family. My vote is eight.Title (Brazil): 'As Novas Roupas do Imperador' ('The Emperor's New Clothes')

Some Spoilers BelowI found this title in the Comedy section of my video rental store and decided to give it a try. It's not really a comedy but is a humorous fantasy about Napoleon Bonaparte trading places with a common seaman to get off the island of St. Helena and return to France. Ian Holm plays both Napoleon and his double.This movie has a nice script, excellent acting, and is beautifully photographed. It holds the viewer's attention for the full 107 minutes. Though the plot is implausible, it is not preposterous as so many movies are today.I never heard of this movie when it was first released, so it was a nice discovery in the video store. It probably would have had a wider audience if it had been shown on Masterpiece Theater or had been an HBO movie. Indeed, the production has the feel of a made for TV movie. Looking at the credits for Alan Taylor, it does appear that his previous efforts have been for network or cable TV.One bright spot in the film is the performance of Iben Hjejle as Pumpkin. Although her falling for Napoleon is a little hard to believe, his choosing a life with her instead of re-taking power is entirely believable. I hope to see more of her in the future.

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!

Ian Holm gives his usual sharp performance. The film is heavily dependent upon that, though Iben Hjejle gave a respectable portrayal of an up and coming produce merchant. The what-if historical situation is perfectly suited for this treatment and is squeaky clean enough for the whole family. The rest of the supporting cast was spiffy enough, but unremarkable, with the exception of the Tim McInnerny, who, as the Parisian doctor, is strongly understated.Lacking in this completely French story is French style acting or sensibility. The Italian production company pulls off the film with aplumb but lacks any French personality.I highly recommend this movie as a remedy to over-the-top action films and acutely self-indulgent Opray movies.