It’s clear from your review that Ridley Scott’s film Napoleon, starring Joaquin Phoenix as the emperor, takes some licence with historical fact, which is understandable for entertainment reasons (Joaquin Phoenix makes a magnificent emperor in thrilling biopic, 15 November). However, it is so disappointing that the actor playing Joséphine Bonaparte, Vanessa Kirby, is 14 years younger than Phoenix, yet the story is supposedly told through them. Napoleon Bonaparte was six years younger than Joséphine, and that contributed to the power dynamic in their relationship. Yet again, Hollywood has obeyed sexist norms and cast a much younger female lead, even to the detriment of the narrative. Yvonne Price Brentwood, Essex