THE ODYSSEY
- Colin Fraser
- Jul 16
- 2 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
FOUR STARS Many, many years have passed since the fall of Troy. While Odysseus struggles to return home, Penelope fends off those who would take her husband's kingdom.
PERIOD DRAMA US English #THEODYSSEY Starring Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway
Christopher Nolan's THE ODYSSEY is the sort of film Hollywood rarely attempts anymore - a genuine epic that earns the description rather than simply throwing more CGI at the screen. In fact, he’s at pains to point out how little CGI was actually used. Drawing on Homer's immortal tale, Nolan delivers a sweeping, visually staggering adventure that reminds us why the myth has survived for nearly 3,000 years: because it’s bloody good. Who hasn’t heard of Troy and the fabled horse, or sailors and sirens, or Penelope, Helen or Cyclops? Their story is our story, it’s part of who we are.
Matt Damon anchors the film with quiet authority as Odysseus, a man whose greatest battle isn't against monsters but against fate, pride and an appalling itinerary (fire that man's travel agent!). The IMAX photography is breathtaking, with every wave, battlefield and mythical encounter possessing a grandeur that almost demands a second viewing on the biggest screen you can find.
The supporting cast is predictably stellar, although Hollywood's fingerprints do smudge the ancient parchment. The predominance of American accents feels oddly limiting in a story that belongs to the world; a broader mix of voices would have lent the production greater authenticity and texture.
Likewise awkward casting choices like thirty year old Tom Spider-Man Holland who struggles to convince as awkward teenage Telemachus. That said, he’s not as distracting as Charlize Theron’s Calypso who looks like she dropped in between a shoot for Dior and vacation at The White Lotus.
These are, however, quibbles rather than fatal flaws. Nolan keeps the narrative moving with remarkable confidence, balancing intimate character moments with spectacular action. Add incredible production values to Ludwig Göransson's impressive score, and a film running close to three hours never feels like an endurance test. You can thank the source material for that.
Nolan turbo-charges the concept of epic while teasing out Homer's humanity with spectacular results. THE ODYSSEY is an emotionally rich and visually magnificent piece of cinema, one that respects its source while making it thrillingly accessible for modern audiences. And you don’t get to say that very often.
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