In this whimsical tale based on Simon Leys's novel &NFi;The Death of Napoleon&NFi_;, the exiled Napoleon Bonaparte (Ian Holm) trades places with a look-alike -- a common drunk -- and makes his way back to Paris in disguise, intent on reclaiming his throne. During his travels, he discovers that France has changed in many humorous ways -- and finds love with a melon-selling widow named Pumpkin (Iben Hjejle).