The Mythic Scale of Nolan’s Vision. Our JP gives his take on Christopher Nolan’s latest epic “The Odyssey,” starring an all-star cast with Matt Damon as the battle-weary Odysseus, Anne Hathaway as his loyal wife Penelope, and Tom Holland as his son Telemachus.
The Odyssey
(Universal Pictures)
- Directed by Christopher Nolan
- Screenplay by Christopher Nolan
- Based on Homer’s Odyssey
- Produced by Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan
- Starring Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Samantha Morton, Zendaya, Charlize Theron
J.P.’s Take:
The prolific ancient Greek poet Homer understood life at its core when he wrote “The Odyssey,” a stirring short-form poem full of symbolism and moral values. And Christopher Nolan is that prolific filmmaker who understands how to extract all the nuances from such minimal source material and turn it into a mythical and epic screen gem. As I see it, “The Odyssey” is Nolan’s “Titanic.” He delivers an impactful retelling of a classic that is sure to solidify his status as a top filmmaker.
Although I’m not very keen on classic works by Homer or other Greek / Roman writers and philosophers, I’m also not unfamiliar with this ancient tale. It’s been adapted into countless films, such as the 1954 film “Ulysses” starring Kirk Douglas and a 1997 mini-series, with several films along the way. What Nolan brings to his rendition is a bit of mystery, with a streamlined, thrilling, and fantastical atmosphere. He also brings a down-to-earth, humanistic quality to the character of Odysseus (Matt Damon). We witness the King of Ithaca as a broken man searching for redemption through his trials and tribulations.
What we’re thrust into is the perilous journey of a great and mighty king who longs to return home. He was an intelligent and fearless military commander who set out to collect the bravest troops to conquer other lands, proving his might as both a warrior and a king, while believing wholeheartedly in the fates the gods held for all. Yet, many uncertainties stand in the way of him and his robust soldiers. This is where the long trek home begins, as his military personnel dwindle and his will to find home wanes. What’s reflected through his lens is the longing for home, while he is also overwhelmed with regret, pain and deep sorrow for the things he’s lost.
This is all reinforced by epic imagery, with huge sweeping shots of battlefields and ships at sea. There is mysticism as they encounter a cyclops, towering armored soldiers, wicked weather, a witch, and the dead returning to life to warn him of the wrong path he’s taking.
I have to admit the scene with the cyclops was eerie, especially after they injured him to escape his clutches. When it screamed, it let out such a frightening wail that it made my blood run cold. You add in a tumultuous romance because his wife Penelope (Anne Hathaway) fears he is dead, and numerous suitors chase her hand in marriage. Odysseus’s son Telemachus (Tom Holland) is filled with pride, hearing of the legend of his father, yet has never met him. This sets off a separate journey to try and clear his father’s name and bring rest and solace to his family. There are emotionally charged moments between Odysseus and his wife in the beginning, which set the stage for a compelling enough plot course and a good amount of introspection throughout Odysseus’s time in captivity under Calypso’s spell (Charlize Theron).
For those of you who are staunch students of such ancient classics, don’t expect archaic language or stuffy performances to be present here. Writer / director Christopher Nolan brings you right into the action with plain and simple English and in-camera action sequences that feel as though you’ve witnessed them firsthand. Special effects are kept to a minimum and only used where certain scenarios are impossible to stage realistically. Although my guest and I missed out on the 70mm experience, the IMAX version is nothing to sneeze at. In fact, the film feels truly made for the format. The only minor drawback is some slight image artifacting during the whirlpool scenes, where intense shaking caused a few seconds of digital distortion … though it is easily overlooked.
“The Odyssey” is an immersive excursion, both literally and figuratively, running nearly three hours without ever feeling like you’ve been sitting there that long. This pacing is due in part to the strong, noteworthy performances of a star-studded cast, which includes Robert Pattinson as Antinous, Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy, Samantha Morton as Circe, and John Leguizamo as Eumaeus. Rounding out the ensemble are Jon Bernthal as Menelaus, Himesh Patel as Eurylochus, Bill Irwin as Polyphemus the Cyclops, Zendaya as Athena, Elliot Page as Sinon, Corey Hawkins as Polybus, Mia Goth as Melantho, Logan Marshall-Green as her twin brother Melanthius, and Will Yun Lee as Anchilus. Additionally, rapper-turned-actor Travis Scott makes a cameo appearance as Phemius.
In the end, I applaud Nolan’s ability to take something quite niche and make it accessible to everyone on the big screen. “The Odyssey” was truly an epic vision that I thoroughly enjoyed. However, I still would have liked to see a bit more fantastical mysticism.
Official Site: The Odyssey
