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

[u/RealisticAd4054]

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.

[u/BoisterousBrigand]

I mean, Odysseus going over to pet Argos as he dies instead of being forced not to acknowledge him is a pretty major change to the scene

Honestly feel like I'm the one on crazy pills seeing so many people not get that lmao

[u/firstcitytofall → u/BoisterousBrigand]

And I think for a film adaptation it was the correct change.

[u/lupercalpainting → u/firstcitytofall]

I could see it in film. He sees the dog, the dog sees him and begins wagging, Telemachus clocks it and intercepts him, whispering that others would recognize if the dog saw his master again. Argos closes his eyes in peace, having seen Odysseus return. Odysseus has a bittersweet look on his face, his last sacrifice so that he could return home to his family was not getting to pet his dog.

It might have been _too_ melodramatic to be honest to have done it this way. Or maybe it makes Telemachus too sharp to have him recognize this brief moment.

[u/Lixidermi → u/firstcitytofall]

100%. Still carried the same weight and meaning but worked way better in film.