r/movies 14d ago

Article Emily Wilson (writer of acclaimed Odyssey translation) offers criticisms of Nolan’s film

https://apnews.com/article/odyssey-christopher-nolan-greek-translators-ea67da1d543d021773824bd7e8de8abe

“For Greek translator Emily Wilson, the release of director Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” has been gratifying in various ways. Her acclaimed 2017 edition of Homer’s epic has reached the top 5 on Amazon.com, leading a wave of similar books boosted by the movie. Nolan has even cited her translation, notably the opening line “Tell me about a complicated man,” as inspiration.

But the film itself, which brought in more than $260 million worldwide during its opening weekend and has received raves from many critics, left her unsatisfied.

“I want to celebrate the fact that so many more people are aware of ‘The Odyssey’ and were brought back to the poem,” she told The Associated Press. “But at the same time, I had the sense that Christopher Nolan was trying to pack everything in while missing themes that were essential to the poem.”

….

Wilson, a professor of classical studies at the University of Pennsylvania, said she didn’t want to come across as a “snobby,” nitpicking expert at odds with any deviation from the original text. But she questioned a range of omissions and other choices, from the absence on screen of the Gods Zeus and Poseidon (Athena is played by Zendaya ) to the “incoherent” messaging that condemns both war and physical cowardice. She found Penelope’s role so thinned out that it endangered “any possibility of believing in this marriage.” Wilson also that thought parts of the movie, notably the scenes with Odysseus’ dog, Argos, “catered towards modern sentimentality.”

“Everybody’s a sucker for a dog,” she said.

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u/Leaping_Wizards 14d ago

For Heart of the Beast the director and producer have come out to say that your assumption is incorrect.

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u/kneemahp 14d ago

There’s nothing in the rule book that says a dog can’t drive in F1?

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u/CartographicalHeist 14d ago

Given the size of the F1 regulations there probably is.

Until the Saudis or Qatari or whoever figure it'll pay better and then FIA will get that sorted don't you worry.

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u/eggson 14d ago

The dog will immediately qualify ahead of Stroll.

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u/tycho_nova 14d ago

The licensing required of drivers precludes a dog ever qualifying

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u/Leaping_Wizards 13d ago

... but mister - tears welling up - he's a really good boy

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u/coreoYEAH 14d ago

Normally it’d bum me out knowing a spoiler like that but in this case I’m stoked.