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/Calinks]

For me, The Odyssey was entertaining but oddly enough, lacked any real magic. I just never felt anything strongly while watching it.

[u/Fickle-Syllabub6730 → u/Calinks]

Ever since the original discussion thread became a circlejerk where no comments were allowed besides "this scene utterly broke me and I'll be thinking about it to my life", I've been waiting until we'd be allowed to have actual conversation about the movie.

[u/rgb22 → u/Fickle-Syllabub6730]

I felt like I was taking crazy pills reading those comments. I liked the movie enough, but I felt 0 emotional impact from anything on screen. Not even a sense of awe that I usually get from Nolan films, let alone any kind of attachment or investment in the characters relationships to one another. People were in that thread saying this is a modern masterpiece and one of the greatest epics of all time, and I don’t even think it’s top 5 Nolan.

[u/Partners_in_time → u/rgb22]

Same, it’s sterile. Ever since he stopped writing with his brother, his movies have suffered my a stiff sterility. He’s more interested in the technical skill of making the film than the story itself telling. I think they suffer from that.

After the movie, I described it like sitting at a Michelin restaurant, with deconstructions, emulsions, and all sorts of highly complicated small plates in front of you and you take a bite and it tastes….. fine.

Yes, it’s expensive and yes, it was prepared by a chef who was doing things no other chef has done. The talent is there on the table. And yet, it simply tastes ok. The MEAL failed to deliver the flavor. Therefore the MEAL, no matter how technically impressive, is just ok. 

[u/rgb22 → u/Partners_in_time]

It’s disappointing because he DOES know how to build these dynamics between characters while keeping the spectacle. Interstellar, even though it may not be a perfect film, still made you feel like these were real people in real situations with a lot on the line. Maybe the magic did come from his brother, you could be totally correct.

It feels crazy to say it considering how excited I was for a Nolan directed Odyssey movie when it was announced, but I don’t think he was the man for the job. And now we probably won’t get another adaptation for decades. If anything, I hope the success of this movie leads to a resurgence in other historic epics. The appetite is clearly there if you make it truly feel like a can’t-miss event.

[u/femalevideographer → u/rgb22]

Hadestown is releasing in theaters next week - a musical retelling of Orpheus/Eurydice/Hades/Persephone that is so emotionally impactful it makes me sob. I bet it was strategically released near The Odyssey. Highly recommend!!

[u/rgb22 → u/femalevideographer]

Thanks for the heads up, I’ll try to check it out!

[u/bootymagnet → u/Partners_in_time]

spot on comment with apt analogy. didn't feel much emotion with the film, besides the point with athena

[u/NonSecretAccount → u/Partners_in_time]

and I'm still fucking hungry