The Odyssey
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The Odyssey is playing in theaters at the time of review. Rated R. Common Sense says 15+
After the Trojan War, Odysseus (Matt Damon) faces a dangerous voyage back to Ithaca, meeting creatures like the Cyclops Polyphemus, Sirens, and Calypso along the way.
STORY: A
An ancient tale that perfectly describes our own times.
PEOPLE: A-
The stacked cast delivers solid performances.
FILM NERD STUFF: A
A masterclass in visceral, experiential filmmaking.
ONE BIG LESSON: A
Bad decisions come with big consequences.
FINAL COMMENTS:
If memories of reading wrinkled paperbacks in cramped, polyethylene desks have you thinking of skipping this movie, think again. Nolan brings this ancient tale to life the way Laurence Olivier and Judi Dench bring Shakespeare’s words crackle with energy and insight.
Nolan is famous for the way he plays with timelines to make his stories even more powerful. There are a few traditional flashbacks here, but he proves he can still astound us with a straightforward tale.
The Odyssey’s set pieces are masterpieces of visceral filmmaking. You feel the heat coming off the burning buildings. You feel the cramped, reeking interior of the Trojan Horse. You feel the fingernails scratching the hull of ships as they flee certain death. Your pulse races, perspiration knocks at your pores, and you feel transported.
Much has been made of this mountain of a cast. Two performances stand above: Robert Pattinson, with his uncanny ability to pull your attention to himself in a crowded room, and the legendary Samantha Morton, whose wickedness and desperation make Circe’s brief appearance hauntingly unforgettable.
The film’s power comes from Nolan’s mastery of craft. The myth’s power lies in the fact that its themes ring true in any era. With that combination, if its lessons can’t reach our ears, then heaven help us all. The perils of pride come with a heavy price, especially when we ignore the shame and regret that often lie beneath it.