The Odyssey

by Mike McGranaghan

The Odyssey delivers a form of grand-scale epic filmmaking that we rarely see anymore. The word “epic” is often misapplied in current cinema. I’ve been guilty of incorrectly using it myself. Avengers: Endgame, for example, is certainly entertaining and massive in its content, but it is not truly epic. Few directors can really do epic. Spielberg certainly can, Peter Jackson maybe. Christopher Nolan totally pulls it off with his latest effort, an adaptation of Homer’s famous poem. No 21st century film that I can think of deserves to be seen on a huge screen as much as this one.

Matt Damon stars as Odysseus, the Greek king of Ithica. Following the Trojan War, he’s been trapped on an island with a nymph named Calypso (Charlize Theron) who feeds him lotus flowers and nurses his physical and psychological wounds. He has no memory of life before the island. Meanwhile, back at home, his wife Penelope (Anne Hathaway) pines for him, and son Telemachus (Tom Holland) refuses to give up hope that he’s alive, especially given that the conniving Antinous (Robert Pattinson) has his eye on the queen.

Nolan plays with time in the movie. As Telemachus leaves Ithica to look for his father and Odysseus begins to gain awareness that the island is not where he belongs, there are flashbacks showing the Trojan War, as well as the series of catastrophes that led up to the king’s island exile. He and his men face a variety of creatures, including a giant cyclops, a witch (dynamically portrayed by Samantha Morton), and the dreaded sea sirens. Those action sequences are incredible, presenting unique, thrilling perils for the characters to face. Most harrowing of all is a scene depicting the soldiers crammed together inside the Trojan Horse for days on end, the claustrophobic vibe worsened by, as Odysseus puts it, all the “piss and shit” that has nowhere to go.

As an action picture, The Odyssey is top-notch. The adventure aspects are pleasingly matched by the intense human drama. A romantic streak runs through the center of the story, as Odysseus and Penelope wonder if they will ever see each other again. Telemachus deals with the pressure of trying to live up to his father’s reputation as Antinous poses a threat to the royal family’s rule. An old friendship between Odysseus and his blind friend Eumaeus (John Leguizamo) adds a note of empathy, as does the arc of Sinon (Elliot Page), a soldier forced into an unfortunate but necessary position as a pawn of war. That combination of excitement and character development creates real magic onscreen.

On every technical level, The Odyssey is a staggering work. Elaborate sets, detailed costumes, striking cinematography, and large-scale production design plunge viewers into Homer’s world. Anything taking place at sea is particularly breathtaking, as the army’s gigantic vessel and the crashing waves – including a dangerous whirlpool – are accomplished brilliantly. Same goes for the visual effects used to create the monsters, which never make you feel like you’re watching CGI. Great care has been taken to integrate them naturally into the plot.

Seeing the look and the scope of the film up on a big screen is dazzling. It will still be great at home; seeing it theatrically, though, is to become immersed in the adventure. The visuals sweep over you, creating a feeling like you’re on this journey right along with Odysseus. The emotional content seems more potent against their backdrop. As nice as the accessibility afforded by streaming is, nothing compares to viewing artistry of this level on a jumbo-sized screen where you can appreciate every element to its fullest. It’s a transcendent experience.

The Odyssey has outstanding performances from the ensemble cast, which also includes Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy and Zendaya as Athena, the goddess who offers guidance to Odysseus at key moments. There’s not a weak link among these actors. A nearly three-hour running time zips right by, thanks to their efforts and the sense of majesty Nolan and his collaborators infuse the movie with. Without a doubt, this is an absolute highlight of the cinematic year.