Katie Samol | Managing Editor | The Chronicle
Movie Review
5 stars
In “The Odyssey”, director Christopher Nolan adapts Homer’s epic poem, bringing Odysseus’ (Matt Damon) journey to the screen with a star-studded cast, larger-than-life visuals and bold interpretations of the scenes of the poem.
There is arguably no story as huge, as truly epic as “The Odyssey”, and I think only Nolan’s skillset and stylistic choices could do the story justice. The story felt new, unexpected and suspenseful even though the plot comes from the eighth century B.C. and many people including myself went in already knowing the events. Odysseus’ visit to Hades, for example, was a scene that was approached boldly and uniquely, the fallen soldiers rising out of the black sand to speak of how Odysseus could make it home.
The adaptation thoughtfully held a tension between victory and peace, snippets from the Battle of Troy repeated throughout the film as more context is revealed until eventually the true weight of Odysseus’ decisions falls into place for the viewer. The manifestation of Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and just warfare, as Agamemnon’s daughter who often visits Odysseus throughout his journey further propels the theme.
Creative approaches to an ancient plot, ambitious visuals and a strong thematic throughline that leaves the viewer with an epiphanic ending strengthen “The Odyssey”. The film does right by the poem, sharing the epic with a new audience and leaving them thinking beyond the last frame.
