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When it comes to modern cinema, few filmmakers are able to create a film that manages to reach colossal heights while still being grounded in realism. Making a film is an enormous feat, but the ability to bridge the gap between fantasy and reality is the mark of an excellent filmmaker. This is why Christopher Nolan has always been such a master of his craft. All of his films contain such a technically raw approach to the story on display while forcing you to contemplate the narrative; even his weakest film has plenty of thought-provoking material to digest long after the credits roll.
Having read Homer's epic poem during my freshman fall semester at Biola University, I had general expectations going into Nolan's highly-anticipated adaptation of The Odyssey. However, knowing Nolan's directing and storytelling techniques, I also expected to see the unexpected. My 70mm screening of this film was absolutely packed, and I couldn't have been more prepared to see how one of my favorite filmmakers would tackle Homer's timeless epic.
Nolan... you've done it again.
I've already heard some people use this word to describe this film, and normally I would find my own way to describe something, but in this case, I can't think of a better word. This film is staggering. In every way, this feels like a work of art that we as audiences don't see anymore. It is not just the film's scale that's absolutely breathtaking, but Nolan's signature reliance on practical effects, real locations, and the way he honors Homer's rich text. He manages to create a film that still feels personal through and through, something that only he could make. It feels appropriately minimalistic despite its gargantuan scope, which in some ways echoes the wandering persona of Odysseus himself. At first, I was uncertain if Nolan would be the right director for a story with so much legacy and influence, considering a substantial portion of it is fantasy-dependent. Yet, this film confirmed to me that I should never again doubt him as an auteur.
The fantastical elements, such as the astoundingly realized Polyphemus (as a 60-foot puppet), are perfectly balanced with extreme realism. Everything is so wonderfully authentic and immersive, it's almost impossible to feel disconnected with anything that's occurring on the screen.
As for the backlash that this film received, most of it involves the casting and dialogue. I will admit, I didn't want to jump on the bandwagon regarding this internet outrage, but there were times where I did find myself cynical. The decision to make some specific lines more geared towards modern society was an interesting approach to this tale. My opinion? These choices do not really affect the final product in the slightest. As fellow League of Filmmakers writer Satchel Wilson and I discussed: it is important to consider that The Odyssey has been translated countless times, ranging from the original ancient Greek text written around 800 BC all the way to modernized English translations. Every single translator who has gotten the opportunity to rewrite this influential poem has added their own voice to Homer's vision. This story has evolved over thousands of years, and so it only makes sense for Nolan to adapt his own version in a way that resonates most with him.
It would be a lie to say that the dialogue spoken in The Odyssey has the flawless grace and elegance of Homer's distinct language, but it nevertheless does not distract from the immersive filmmaking, riveting storytelling, and powerful performances. I agree that certain casting choices could have been more faithful to the source material; Nolan (as usual) finds a way to make us completely immersed in this story from both a thematic and visual perspective, allowing its effective non-linear structure and committed performances to speak for themselves. In the end, Nolan's filmmaking was so brilliantly executed that I paid no mind to any of the controversial aspects.
The text changes and additions to the film were very tastefully handled, and they were able to capture the anchoring theme of Homer's poem while introducing more stimulating ideas to ponder. This is obviously not new for Nolan, and here he raises questions that I think are some of the most meaningful of his career:
How does your inner odyssey affect your physical odyssey? At what point do your failures as an individual catch up to you? Where do you "find yourself" in the midst of peril? Is it our moral duty in life to experience suffering in order to reach ultimate redemption?
These philosophical questions coincide marvelously with visual details that hint at eventual arcs for characters, which are far more impactful on second viewing. I saw this film on July 16th for an advanced screening, then again on opening night, and the rewatch experience opened my eyes even more to Nolan's mastery behind the camera.
I can confidently say that this is now one of my favorite Nolan films. Would I have liked to see a couple more elements from the text displayed on screen? Of course. But as a bold adaptation of a very difficult narrative, Nolan, the cast, and the rest of the crew succeeded with flying colors. Films like this are a gift to humanity, and without Nolan's artistic yet realistic touch, I have no idea where cinema would be today.
