Monsieur N.

An elegant, sophisticated mystery.

If it all adds up to too much for one film to encompass with ease, Monsieur N, is certainly richer than most of what you'll find on the History Channel.

Has a certain captivating quality about it.

As modest conspiracy-mongering, the movie is perfectly robust, earning its dramatic impact from its classical sense of intrigue and Philippe Torreton's testy performance in the title role.

An intricate, fetchingly lensed tale of historical speculation framed as a plausible thriller.

Even when the script takes a turn for the chatty, there's always something pretty to look at.

The second half of Antoine de Caunes' Monsieur N., about the post-exile life and death of Napoleon, plays less like a movie than a suggestion for one. This is a great disappointment because the first half is very cinematic and very compelling.