Reactions to Christopher Nolan’s Adaptation of “The Odyssey”

The release of Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” has been a significant event for those involved in translating Homer’s classic. Emily Wilson, renowned for her 2017 edition of the epic, finds satisfaction in the renewed interest it has sparked. Her translation has climbed into the top 5 on Amazon.com. Even Nolan mentioned her opening line, “Tell me about a complicated man,” as a source of inspiration.

However, despite the movie’s critical acclaim, Wilson has reservations. She acknowledged, “I want to celebrate the fact that so many more people are aware of ‘The Odyssey’ and were brought back to the poem.” She expressed concern that the film may overlook essential themes of the original work.

“The Odyssey,” one of the year’s eagerly awaited movies, features Matt Damon as Odysseus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, and Tom Holland as Telemachus. The acting and the storyline received praise, as did the use of IMAX film to create a grand cinematic experience. The film attempts to marry ancient Greek and modern sensibilities from Nolan’s viewpoint.

This divide between scholars and critics largely revolves around whether the film leans more toward Nolan’s vision or remains true to Homer. Both Wilson and fellow translator Daniel Mendelsohn appreciate Nolan’s visual style. Mendelsohn, involved in editing The New York Review of Books, commented on Nolan’s flair, despite some decisions he questioned.

Mendelsohn defended Nolan’s choice to cast Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy, suggesting it challenges conventional thoughts on beauty and identity. Yet, he criticized Nolan for transforming Odysseus into a tormented character without humor or charm, akin to characters from “Memento” and “Oppenheimer.” He suggests Nolan shaped Odysseus around similar protagonists from his past films.

Wilson, a classical studies professor at the University of Pennsylvania, does not want to appear as a “snobby” critic against departures from the source material. She, however, questions various omissions and choices, such as the exclusion of gods like Zeus and Poseidon, with Athena being the only god featured, played by Zendaya. She also noted inconsistencies in messaging concerning war and cowardice.

“Everybody’s a sucker for a dog,” Wilson remarked regarding scenes with Odysseus’ dog, Argos. She feels the film caters to modern sentimentality.

While Wilson shared her criticisms, she refrained from assigning the film a grade. She recommends watching it in theaters and shared it was enjoyable with her family. “If you can see it on a big screen, you should absolutely go,” she said.