Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is an epic retelling of one of the oldest surviving works of ancient Greek literature. Homer composed the poem Odyssey in the 8th or 7th centuries BC. It concerns the exploits of the king of Ithaca, Odysseus (Matt Damon), as he attempts to make his way home many years after the Trojan War. The war itself lasted a decade, and then another decade passed, during which time he and his crew encountered many otherworldly and natural obstacles
Due to his long absence, Odysseus was presumed dead by almost all. Mind you, that didn’t include his wife, Penelope (Anne Hathaway), nor their son, Telemachus (who was a newborn when Odysseus left). They were forced to contend with unruly suitors looking for Penelope’s hand in marriage, including the persistent Antinous (Robert Pattinson).
Much to Penelope and Telemachus’ chagrin, these suitors took up residence in their home, displaying unruly behaviour. Penelope used delaying tactics to try to keep them at bay, while, against his mother’s wishes, Telemachus (Tom Holland) set out in search of his father. Also staying loyal to Odysseus was blind courtier Eumaeus (John Leguizamo), Telemachus’ mentor, who is readily dismissed by the suitors.
The Odyssey is a dark and dour tale, thrillingly told by a masterful filmmaker, totally in control of his craft. With spectacular visuals, evocative costuming and an arresting soundtrack, The Odyssey is undoubtedly one of the films of the year. Damon brings his fine acting chops to bear in a defining performance as Odysseus. The latter is a figure desperate to make good after a series of questionable choices.
Hathaway is earnest as his long-suffering wife Penelope. Holland plays Telemachus as wet behind the ears, who grows in stature. Pattinson makes a compelling, manipulative villain, Antinous. There is a judgmental quality about Zendaya as the god Athena. Charlize Theron plays an important role as the sea nymph Calypso, who rescues Odysseus and then falls for him.
Also prominent is Samantha Morton as dangerous sorceress Circe. Among others cast is Lupita Nyong’o, who plays Helen of Troy and her half-sister Clytemnestra. Jon Bernthal is Helen’s husband Menelaus, the king of Sparta, who hosts Telemachus, who travels there in search of news about his father.
Central to Nolan’s three-hour tale are two interconnected themes. One is known as the law of Zeus, which requires extending generous hospitality to strangers. The second is homecoming, which is a voyage of return, necessitating trials that test character (a spiritual rebirth, if you will).
The filmmakers scoured the globe looking for appropriate settings to shoot the picture. They included Italy, Malta, Morocco, Iceland, Greece and Scotland. It is indicative of the effort that went into the realism creating atmospheric backdrops that characterise what is a mighty fine production. Also noteworthy is the most impressive giant Trojan horse that forms the centrepiece of the siege of Troy.
While The Odyssey requires concentration to follow all the threads (the interconnected parts and the characters thereof), it is well worth the effort. It is another bold undertaking by Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer), who keeps delivering the goods. I had the good fortune to see the film in an IMAX cinema and, if possible, that is the way to go. Rated M, it scores a 9 out of 10.
Alex First
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Alex First is the editor of The Blurb. Alex is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He also contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.
