A leading translator of Homer has strongly criticized Christopher Nolan’s film, The Odyssey, stating they “would be ashamed to have written any part of it.”
Translator Emily Wilson recently wrote a sharply critical review in the London Review of Books, focusing on Christopher Nolan’s film adaptation of The Odyssey.
I was hoping Nolan’s interest in these epic, classic themes would lead him to create even more compelling stories and relatable characters. However, his latest film feels both overly ambitious and surprisingly shallow. While it hints at profound ideas, the story is muddled and the characters aren’t fully developed – though it certainly excels at delivering spectacular action and impressive visuals.
Nolan’s Odyssey falls short of the qualities that make the original poem so powerful. It doesn’t offer meaningful insights into themes like time, memory, history, or the impact of war, nor does it explore the connections between the hero’s journey and the lives of those around him. The story lacks emotional resonance, psychological complexity, and any real depth in terms of its political or moral implications. The plot feels contrived, the writing is poor, and the characters’ actions don’t feel believable. It also notably lacks any intimate scenes and depicts food in an unappetizing way.
More to come…
2026-07-27 21:07