The time has finally come. It has only been three years since Christopher Nolan took the world by storm with his Oscar winning biographical epic Oppenheimer, but with the way his films generate buzz it feels like we've been talking about The Odyssey for ages. Now, the wait is over, and the film of the summer is in theatres for us all. One thing I will say to start off, don't worry if you aren't able to see this in one of the premium formats. I'll be going to see it in IMAX 70mm in about a week and a half, but even if you are just watching this in a standard multiplex theatre it is a fantastic moviegoing experience.
The Odyssey is based on Homer's epic poem of the same name, following Odysseus' journey home to Ithica after the siege of Troy. In the years of his absence, his son Telemachus and wife Penelope have awaited his return, while countless suitors abuse their hospitality in hopes to marry Penelope.
The story of Odysseus' journey home is largely told in flashbacks, either by people in Ithica telling his story, or him slowly remembering it while stranded on a beach with a nymph named Calypso. Nolan has employed unique narrative structures in the past, but rather than his typical breed of nonlinear storytelling this is taking a classic tale and presenting it to us essentially as a story being passed along over time. It's a framing device that does leave the present tense a bit undercooked at times, but allows the journey to feel truly epic. It also allows Nolan to quite cleverly look at the idea of myth and how it can be skewed, as well as history's ability to shape the world.
As Odysseus, Matt Damon brilliantly showcases a man driven by ego forced to reckon with his past. It weirdly aligns quite well thematically with Oppenheimer, as the final act really allows us to see how Odysseus sees his actions. One touch I really loved in this regard was how the figure of Athena (played by Zendaya) is used, with one crucial moment being my absolute favourite bit of imagery in this three hour long epic. Similarly, I loved how Agamemnon (Benny Safdie) was presented. He is shown as almost a mythic figure whom soon falls due to his blind ego.
Cinematically there really isn't a department that isn't working at the highest level here. The costume design is incredible, even if at times is eschews historical accuracy. If you don't leave the film wanting one of the helmets for yourself, I think you may have seen the wrong movie. The cinematography by Hoyte van Hoytema is obviously incredible, and his visuals are a large part of what makes the film feel so epic. One area that surprisingly wowed me though was the sound design. Whether it be massive battle scenes (which are also shot beautifully) or quieter moments, the soundscape of the film is truly engrossing. There are some scenes where Nolan leans into horror a little bit, and those are moments where the sound design truly shines, and really makes me wish he would make a horror movie at some point, or at least a thriller.
My biggest gripes with the film are pieces of the storytelling. I like the framing device, but it feels like we don't spend enough time in the present tense Ithica to make the film's ending land as well as I wish it did. Tom Holland is solid as Telemachus, and Anne Hathaway is amazing as Penelope, but we just don't get enough of them in the film's first two acts. Part of why I wanted more of them is also due to how great of a villain Robert Pattinson is as one of the suitors, more of him would have been an absolute treat, and he gives a sneakily hilarious performance here. I also didn't care for the scenes between Odysseus and Calypso (Charlize Theron). I can appreciate their use in helping tell the story, but I found that they unfortunately often sucked a lot of the air out of the story.
Before I close things out I'll throw out a few more things that I loved. Every moment of the siege of Troy showcases some of the best filmmaking we've ever seen from Nolan, with the lighting and editing coming together to bring something truly special to the screen. The entire Cyclops sequence is phenomenal, as is the scene with Samantha Morton as Cersei, both sequences leaning into the horror side of things to tremendous effect. I can't go in depth on all of the cast, but John Leguizamo and Himesh Patel have to be shouted out as the MVPs of the supporting cast.
I don't need to convince you to see this one, everyone that wants to see it is going to see it, and I doubt many will be disappointed. I'm curious to see if I enjoy it even more on a rewatch, and I'm stoked to see it in IMAX at some point, but regardless this is one of the year's best. 4.5/5
Comments
Post a Comment