Brian Cox openly criticized Joaquin Phoenix’s role in Ridley Scott’s ‘Napoleon’ biopic during HistFest 2024 at the British Library in London. The Standard quoted him:
“Terrible. It’s terrible. A truly terrible performance by Joaquin Phoenix. It really is appalling. I don’t know what he was thinking.”
Phoenix shared the screen with Vanessa Kirby, Tahar Rahim, Rupert Everett, and Ben Miles. Cox remarked:
“I think it’s totally his fault and I don’t think Ridley Scott helps him. 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.”
Historical Dramas Are ‘Nonsense,’ He Says
‘Napoleon’ hit the theaters in November 2023 and came under fire for its lack of historical accuracy. Ridley Scott told critics focused on historical details to ‘get a life’ in previous interviews.
Meanwhile, Brian Cox shared discontent with films that prioritize entertainment over historical truth. He mentioned Mel Gibson’s ‘Braveheart’ and said:
“‘Braveheart’ is a load of nonsense. Mel Gibson was wonderful but it’s a load of lies. He never impregnated the French princess. It is bollocks that film.”
The actor played Argyle Wallace in the 1995 historical epic.
The Actor Is Not Fond Of Method Acting
Cox recently joined the ‘Long Day’s Jouney Into Night’ production at West End’s Wyndham’s Theatre. He bashed the play’s critics for not ‘doing their homework’ and comparing his stage role with his ‘Succession’ appearance.
Then, the actor touched on method acting:
“Oh no that’s all bollocks. It’s a kind of nonsense. We’re transmitters. That’s what we are as actors. We transmit energy.”
He favored doing research instead and added:
“You have to do your homework. That’s the delight of it, the information you get because you’re reading everything about Churchill and you’re building up a picture of who this person was.”
You can find Brian Cox’s full statement here.
