Jay Rohr
Operation Napoleon seems to be hiding a high caliber movie. Traces of a solid suspense thriller are littered about, and a decent cast enriches the right moments. However, some noticeable stumbles risk sending this Icelandic film tumbling down a glacial crevasse. Still, it’s ideal for any recliner rider looking for an afternoon watch.
The plot feels vaguely familiar. Elías (Atli Óskar Fjalarsson) and his friends are having a carefree time snowmobiling across a glacier. When they discover a crashed German aircraft from World War II buried in the ice and snow, they inadvertently become entangled in a dangerous conspiracy. The only person aware of their discovery is Elías’s sister, Kristin (Vivian Ólafsdóttir), who must now search for her missing brother while avoiding the assassins sent to keep the secret of Operation Napoleon.
Suspense films like this live or die on their thrills and mystery. When it comes to the latter, Operation Napoleon does a solid job. The exact secret may seem obvious at first. However, the story manages to twist just enough to leave the audience guessing. This keeps the film alive when the thrills lag, though unfortunately, the reveals aren’t very grand.
Operation Napoleon starts out exposing bits of evidence alluding to possibilities, but this storytelling soon gets shunted aside for exposition dumps. The mystery is, in essence, spoon fed to the audience. What makes it hard to swallow is the length between reveals which are broken up by ineffectual action. It’s like drops of sauce on a dried-out entrée. Those moist mouthfuls are tasty, yet not as satisfying as they could be.
The lack of thrills wouldn’t be such a killer if Operation Napoleon at least featured more clever moments. There’s a scene early on that showcases Kristin’s ingenuity as she cleverly distracts a pursuing assassin. Unfortunately, many later escapes from danger literally amount to walking out a door. Characters basically hide in a closet, count to ten, and exit almost casually. Yet, what makes it worse is the lack of choice. As such, the main characters in Operation Napoleon rarely act, and too many escapes aren’t so much a daring decision as they are taking advantage of convoluted chances.
It’s a shame because Kristin is established early on as a clever individual. Vivian Ólafsdóttir does a quality job portraying someone able to think quickly on her feet, yet capable of analytical reasoning. Early on in Operation Napoleon Kristin is proactive, recognizes dangers almost instantly, and sometimes her speedy flight from peril leads to complications which make matters harder. However, these soon evaporate in favor of floating with the plot flow. Operation Napoleon becomes less a showcase of cunning and more of a treacherous hopscotch through shadowy history.
Leading the drive into the dark corners of conspiracy theories is Jack Fox as Steve. Kristin’s former lover, this British historian conveniently knows everything about the era in question, not to mention has access to restricted archives which will push the plot forward. Jack Fox does a fine job, especially looking pensive as he pours over data. However, the character’s inclusion seems more designed for tacked on romance than anything else. And frankly, I never noticed any chemistry between the two leads. They reminded me more of two people politely going through the motions on a mediocre blind date than a pair tangled in heart strings.
Still, his presence does give an excuse for Vivian Ólafsdóttir to go into her character’s backstory. Although the monologue dumping that info on the audience is performed well enough, it results in another instance of Operation Napoleon too often relying on dramatic telling rather than showing. Characters reveal backstory through earnest monologues ripped from the pages of Acting Class 101. Worse, when certain chances for exploration arise, they go nowhere.
For instance, Kristin’s estranged father appears at one point but is largely mute despite the significance of their relationship. Since the movie is based on a book by Arnaldur Indriðason, these flawed moments tend to feel like adaptation failures. They seem to reference moments in the book which are perhaps more detailed on page than here on screen.
Still, the overall cast is solid. No one’s performance holds back Operation Napoleon. Game of Thrones alum Iain Glen provides the sinister William Carr with a malevolent aura. He conveys the threatening presence of someone who can kill indirectly with casual zeal. Ólafur Darri Ólafsson adds a touch of heartwarming, perhaps even breaking, charm as Einar. The son of someone also caught up in the conspiracy, he holds his own reasons for wanting the secrets exposed. Ólafur Darri Ólafsson ably conveys someone struggling with the dark truths they alone know, while also managing to be charmingly comedic when necessary.
Directed by Óskar Þór Axelsson, Operation Napoleon is functional without feeling terribly formulaic. Although nothing stands out cinematically, the film is framed well enough, especially shots which feature Iceland’s rich vistas. Operation Napoleon certainly looks like a suspense film with its shadowy scenes and blue-grey slate saturation. Yet, it’s that odd imperfection of being too familiar which makes it start to feel generic at times.
Those inclined to kick back on a lazy Sunday, sipping their beverage of choice, while streaming some low-tier suspense won’t mind Operation Napoleon. The mystery adequately holds attention, and while the thrills may quickly lose their edge, that’s what makes the watch relaxing. Operation Napoleon fits into that two-star pocket of films that are enjoyable if not compelling. The plot may feel overly familiar with characters who seem more like stick figures than fleshed out people, but the fun of following a dangerous mystery through dark twists and turns is there.
