Brian Cox didn’t hold back when it came to critiquing Joaquin Phoenix’s most recent film (Picture: Getty Images)
Brian Cox has lashed out at Joaquin Phoenix’s role in Napoleon, the epic 2023 action film directed by Ridley Scott.
The Succession actor, 77, used his chat with Mastermind host Clive Myrie at HistFest to discuss his negative feelings towards Phoenix’s performance in Napoleon.
As the name of the film might suggest, the 2h 38 minute film is about the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, in which the Joker actor, 49, plays the titular role of Napoleon – and according to Cox, he made a bit of mess of it.
‘Terrible. It’s terrible. A truly terrible performance by Joaquin Phoenix.’
‘It really is appalling. I don’t know what he was thinking. I think it’s totally his fault and I don’t think Ridley Scott helps him.’
Per the Evening Standard, the star, who is best known for his iconic role as Logan Roy in Succession, then added that he himself would have been much better suited to take on this role.
‘I would have played it a lot better than Joaquin Phoenix, I tell you that. You can say it’s good drama. No – it’s lies.
‘I think he’s well named. Joaquin…whackeen… whacky. It’s a sort of whacky performance.’
The 49-year-old received flack from historians for portraying Napoleon who was 24 during the events of the film (Picture: Colombia Pictures)
The film starring Phoenix was panned in various reviews, with some film critics specifically pointing to the Her actor as a key component for their scathing comments.
The Guardian wrote: ‘Phoenix plays up a buffoonish quality in some scenes, a fractious petulance in others.’
A review for Esquire also read: ‘Joaquin Phoenix’s campy historical manboy – who loves himself a lamb chop and oinks when he wants to get nasty – will haunt me for years.’
Phoenix also worked with Napoleon director Ridley Scott on the 2000 film Gladiator (Picture: Kevin Baker/Apple TV+ via AP)
Cox went on to then criticise Mel Gibson’s film Braveheart, suggesting drama was prioritised over historical accuracy.
Cox said: ‘Braveheart is a load of nonsense.’
However, Cox did complement the actor’s performance: ‘Mel Gibson was wonderful but it’s a load of lies. He never impregnated the French princess. It is a bollocks [sic] that film.’
Following Succession success, Cox is currently performing in the West End (Credits: AP)
Cox, who is currently performing as the lead in Long Day’s Journey Into Night at Wyndham’s Theatre on the West End, is known for his outspoken and occasionally controversial comments.
Just last year he shocked fans when he said he had ‘no idea’ who the Spice Girls are during a hilarious appearance on This Morning.
Similarly at the end of 2022, the Succession star slammed a table in furious rage during a television appearance on Question Time as he spoke out about Liz Truss.
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