“We broke the fragile bonds between men” reflects the famed Odysseus (Matt Damon) in Christopher Nolan’s thrilling adaptation of Homer’s epic The Odyssey.
Already immortalized in song, thanks to his heroic exploits in the Trojan War, the much-discussed figure at the center of Nolan’s film is a shell of his former self by the time he utters those insightful words. Odysseus may have encountered giants and a slew of deadly creatures at sea, but it is the weight of his own actions that now haunt him the most.
Bringing Odysseus’ lengthy and often harrowing quest vividly to life, Nolan’s surprisingly faithful adaptation of Homer’s text is nothing short of a marvel. A true cinematic epic, the film manages to simultaneously entertain and provoke thought without ever overwhelming the viewer with the density of the source material.
Like the sirens who lure men in with their sultry melodies, The Odyssey’s structural rhythms are so alluring that one never feels the three-hour running time. While Nolan is a master of modern cinema, whose technical proficiency is on full display here, it is the skillful editing work by Jennifer Lame that is the special ingredient that makes the film pop.
Weaving a vibrant quilt together from the oral stories that multiple characters tell, the film moves back and forth in time, across an expansive world where Gods play with men like they are chess pieces, over a ten-year period. At its core, The Odyssey is an adventure tale that documents Odysseus’s decade long voyage to be reunited with his wife Penelope (Anne Hathaway) and son Telemachus (Tom Holland) in Ithaca. Dragged into a war he didn’t want to be a part of; Ithaca’s king now finds himself and his army lost at sea and facing numerous temptations that will both test his fortitude and threaten to further derail his goal.
Navigating his path home is made even harder when godly forces beyond his control are actively interfering. Whether it is Poseidon’s manipulation of the seas, Athena (Zendaya) attempting to provide guidance, or being held captive by Calypso (Charlize Theron), who feeds him lotus flowers to block all memory of his past life, the gods make it clear that his travels will not be easy. As a result, what starts off a journey towards reunion ultimately becomes one of self-realization for both the film’s hero and the audience.
Similar to his previous film Oppenheimer, Nolan uses Odysseus’ adventure to ponder the weight of actions that have massive, and often devastating, implications on society. Much like the suitors who lust after Odysseus’ throne and wife, the thirst for power by misguided men, who will abuse the faith of those on the lower rungs of the class ladder, has left the world in shambles. Only concerned with enjoying the spoils of war, and amassing as much wealth as possible, these individuals fail to consider the true cost of such pursuits.
The film makes it clear that much like its protagonist; the world has been a drift for the past decade. Instead of confronting the past, and who has benefitted from it, we have allowed ourselves to become distracted by people who would rather us look at any other and forget the truth completely.
Even Odysseus, a man of seemingly good intentions, frequently puts those around him in danger because his ego and incessant curiosity blind him from the realities of the environments he inhabits. He firmly believes that selling a lie is strategically more effective in gaining the upper hand than being honest with people. It is the searing criticism of this mentality that provides the film with some of most memorable moments.
One of the most visually striking and emotionally powerful sequences in the film comes when Odysseus must travel through hell and come to terms with how his actions directly impacted Sinon (Elliot Page), a loyal fallen soldier, and thousands under his command. The power of that sequence is matched by Odysseus’ encounter with the Circe (Samantha Morton), a witch who literally molds men into the pigs they really are; and must reckon with the unfair gender dynamics that have aided in the world’s problems. A sentiment that Penelope also shares with her son when outlining how her wisdom and experience are never in consideration when it comes to the throne.
Carried in part by the work of its expansive and talented ensemble cast, with the likes of Damon, Morton, Hathaway, Himesh Patel and John Leguizamo being the standouts, who bring much emotion to Homer’s mythological world, The Odyssey manages to feel fresh and bold despite its source material being 2800 years old. By showing that Homer’s tale still resonates in modern times, Nolan constructs a blockbuster that is just as eye popping as the story within it.
The perfect blend of spectacle and storytelling, The Odyssey will please both fans of Homer’s iconic work and newcomers alike. Everything from the elaborate sets to the way the camera moves around each environment is thrilling to behold. Nolan brings audiences into every aspect of the world, making the viewer feel every bit of mud in Hades, the sorrow of a fallen Troy, and the harrowing nature of being trapped in a cave with a cyclopes.
All of this makes for a blockbuster that is unlike any other film you will see this year. The Odyssey is a stunning cinematic achievement that ranks among the year’s best works.
