The Emperor's New Clothes ★★½ 2001 (PG) Historical comedy about Napoleon Bonaparte (Holm). Confined to the island of St. Helena by the British, the former emperor and his advisers plot to regain power in France by recruiting a look-alike named Eugene (Holm again) to trade places while the real Napoleon heads to Paris and restakes his claim to power. The first part of the plan works fine; the second part doesn't. Eugene likes playing the exiled ruler too much to reveal himself as an imposter and Napoleon turns out to enjoy his more simple life, especially with comely widow Pumpkin (Hjejle) proffering her charms. Loosely based on the French novel "The Death of Napoleon" by Simon Leys. 107m/C VHS, DVD. GB Ian Holm, Iben Hjejle, Tim (McInnerny) McInnery, Tom Watson, Nigel Terry, Hugh Bonneville, Murray Melvin, Eddie Marsan, Clive Russell;
Director:
Alan Taylor;
Writer:
Kevin Molony, Herbie Wave;
Writer:
Alessio Gelsini Torresi;
Cameo:
Rachel Portman.
