Date Released: 06/28/2002
Rated: PG (for brief language)
Length: 107 minutes
Produced by: Uberto Pasolini
Directed by: Alan Taylor
Cast: Ian Holm, Iben Hjejle, Tom Watson, Hugh Bonneville, Tim McInnerny
Distributor: Paramount Classics
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Based on Simon Leys's detailed novel "The Death of Napoleon", Taylor brings to this delightful farce the urgency of confinement and the appreciation of exploring one's self no matter how obscure or infamous you may be to the world around you. "The Emperor's New Clothes" is a whimsy, by-the-numbers comedy that adds a surprising vigor to an otherwise standard story. If one can leave an open mind for this nostalgic laugher through time, one can certainly appreciate the irreverent feel and muffling humor of the plotline taking place.
In a desperate attempt to reclaim his beloved throne in France, the bewildered exiled ruler decides to colaborate with his handlers and hatch a plan to allow him to return to the homeland and take care of pending business. Napoleon (played by the reliable Ian Holm) is a very picky individual to please so whatever his inner circle have planned, it better be a sound solution. Ultimately, they manage to come up with the scheme where a mere commoner from St. Helena can masquerade as the conquering military midget while the real deal Napoleon can travel in disguise and enjoy his deception incognito.
Before anyone in the audience can get a Napoleon complex, the wandering pint-size general with the overflowing ego seemingly travels the land as his newly Everyman status starts to break his inner hard core. The "real" Napoleon begins to...gulp...realize his tender side and embrace the vulnerablity of his former powerful self. And of course this whole transformation is heightened when he crosses paths with a good-natured, down-to-earth widowed woman (Iben Hjejle) who's both beautiful inside and out. Could the former gruff Napoleon actually have a heart clogged with undiscovered sentimentality?
In the meanwhile, the "fake" Napoleon is carrying out his assigned duties with noted aplomb. What is scary and hilarious at the same time is this unlikely serf's ability to easily disappear into the complex and self-serving role of the real ruler's tight-knit tyranny. The trading places gig works admirably because you can simultaneously see how fitting it is for these two complete opposites to assimilate in each other's shoes while having only a look-a-like facial mask to keep them in step with one another.
It would be a grave mistake to dismiss "The Emperor's Clothes" as just another flimsy comedy where one assumes another's identity for mere chuckles. The film is very expressionistic and disciplined in the way it manages its farcical and sweet-induced makeup. Holm is convincingly sturdy in a double performance that demands his cleverish scrutinizing talents being put to the test as two completely different souls playing one confused and pent-up individual. Holm shows us that it's not just the man who puts on a whole new set of clothing in a way to assume a vicarious sense of emancipation. In fact, other layers of dimension are being put on the back of this so-called nefarious leader besides a shiny new jacket or ripped up shirt.
"The Empereror's New Clothes" is one historical fantasy that juggles a pratfall mentality with that of an unassuming poignancy. This film is rigid and delightfully realized. In an age where costume comedies are a throwaway concept, there's not one current comedy that's out now that can ever present a decent wardrobe worn by this emperor's multi-farious clothing of emotion.
Frank rates this film: *** 1/2 stars (out of 4 stars)