Emily Wilson, the translator whose work on Homer's "The Odyssey" influenced Christopher Nolan's film adaptation, has sharply criticized the movie, calling its script "abysmal" and stating she would be "ashamed" to have written any part of it. Wilson contends that Nolan's film misses the spirit of the original heroic epic by altering key elements such as Odysseus' character and removing mythological aspects.
Wilson, who authored a translation described by some as feminist, cited Nolan's adaptation for its "modern, psychiatrised" portrayal of Odysseus, who she says struggles with guilt and requires drugs to process his experiences, rather than embodying a heroic warrior. "I kept looking in vain for a sense that this is a film about glory, because the film that has some interest in shame, but I don't think it has any interest in glory," Wilson stated.
Critiques of the Adaptation
In her review, titled "An Uncomplicated Man," Wilson detailed numerous flaws, including what she described as "abysmal" writing. She argued that the film lacks convincing depth regarding themes of time, memory, history, and war, as well as the complex relationship between a warrior's return and the lives of those around him. The narrative structure is called "gimmicky," and character motivations are deemed unconvincing. Wilson also noted the absence of sex scenes and unappetizing food depicted in the film.
Further criticism was directed at the film's handling of the Trojan Horse, which Wilson states was portrayed as a villainous deception rather than a clever trick. She suggested this served Nolan's "didactic point" about a contemporary cultural decline beginning with the "war on terror and Brexit."
Casting and Divine Elements
Wilson also addressed the film's casting, which drew criticism from some conservative circles. However, she offered a critique from a different perspective, noting that many non-White actors were cast in roles such as the "Black best friend," whose primary function was to support the white protagonist.
Additionally, Wilson pointed out the film's inconsistent portrayal of the gods. While the consequences of actions against divine figures like Poseidon and the importance of Zeus' law are acknowledged, the gods themselves are largely absent from the narrative. Wilson concluded that Nolan's vision "is not quite big enough to include either real gods or real people who might be different from us."
Despite her strong criticisms, Wilson expressed a silver lining: the film's potential to renew interest in "The Odyssey" and the ancient Greek world.