Filmmaker Christopher Nolan brings his distinct directorial style to an ancient epic with "The Odyssey," a new film adapting Homer's classic poem. The movie, which Nolan also wrote, translates the story of Odysseus' decade-long journey home from the Trojan War into a visually grand yet human-sized narrative.
Nolan's "The Odyssey" is described as faithful to the original poem, yet deeply infused with the director's signature nonlinear storytelling and thematic preoccupations. The film explores the complexities of its protagonist, who is tormented by the violence and death he caused, drawing parallels to Nolan's previous work, such as "Oppenheimer."
The film begins not with Odysseus's journey, but in Ithaca, where his home is besieged by suitors vying for his wife, Penelope, played by Anne Hathaway. Robert Pattinson portrays Antinous, the primary suitor, in a role noted for its seamless fit. Tom Holland appears as Telemachus, Odysseus and Penelope's son, who sets out to find his father.
Odysseus, depicted as weathered and white-bearded after the fall of Troy, is shown in flashbacks being conscripted by Agamemnon, portrayed by Benny Safdie. The narrative then follows Odysseus through a series of episodic quests. These include encounters with the Cyclops Polyphemus, the man-eating Laestrygonians, the sorceress Circe played by Samantha Morton, and a seven-year interlude with the sea nymph Calypso, portrayed by Charlize Theron. Matt Damon takes on the role of Odysseus, embodying the archetypal hero's multifaceted nature as a soldier, father, husband, and warrior.
Nolan utilizes IMAX cameras for the entire production, emphasizing grandiosity and impressive visual work, particularly in scenes involving the elements and stormy seas. The adaptation highlights vivid details and mythic imagery that verges on horror, with sequences like the Trojan horse centerpiece, a tale that had been on Nolan's mind for years.
A deliberate choice was made to keep the gods largely off-screen, with the exception of Zendaya as Athena, who appears as a confidant. This approach brings the film's themes of sacrifice, fidelity, and honor closer to reality. The casting is notable for its wide spectrum of actors, including Lupita Nyong'o as Helen of Troy, Elliot Page, and John Leguizamo, intended to give the ancient tale present-day vitality and reflect its universal nature.
Running nearly three hours, "The Odyssey" maintains a brisk pace, driven by the friction between past and present. The film examines gender roles while upholding traditional masculinity and offers a more palatable action-movie conclusion to the poem's challenging ending. The movie is rated R for violence and some language. It received three and a half stars out of four.