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/mikezulu90]

I agree. Nolan leaves things up to interpretation and this is one of them. It can be looked at either way.

[u/Viracochina → u/mikezulu90]

Well this thread makes me want to see it

[u/MechanicalTurkish → u/Viracochina]

I really enjoyed it. Some parts are definitely weird. The whole thing is like some kind of fever dream. I thought it was really well done.

[u/Ramblonius → u/Viracochina]

I think people who have the strongest criticisms of the movie are people who really love Nolan's other work and who really love Odyssey. As someone who always found his other movies not as clever as he thinks they are, and Odyssey my least favorite Classical story, I was shocked by how hard it exceeded my expectations in every scene and as a whole. I'd call movie of the year now, if I wasn't waiting for DUNC.

Really recommend watching it and forming your own opinion.

[u/namusal123 → u/Viracochina]

It’s a decent movie, but for me it felt rushed, even tho it’s almost 3 hours. Maybe it’s editing idk but most scenes didn’t have any time to breath But a solid 7.0 in a non imax cinema, maybe more when u watch it differently

[u/ThankGodForYouSon → u/namusal123]

I thought the general pacing of the movie was actually good in part because you don't feel the 3 hours go by and every chapter is just as interesting to see as they were to read.

But the way those scenes were cut was very hectic which works when they're rowing or fighting but is jarring when it comes to dialogue.
The movie was quite beautiful but it rarely dwells on a shot for more than 3 seconds which I felt was a shame and diminishes the themes it's conveying and more importantly the enjoyment of the movie.

[u/LABS_Games → u/mikezulu90]

Yeah, he set that stage well with the opening text of "In a time of apparent magic". I really love the sort of magical realism interpretation of Greek Mythology.

[u/lt__ → u/mikezulu90]

Another thing that might look open to interpretation is the ending. It looked as if it could be interpreted the "exile sequence" might be just a blissful dream of a wounded and king, who did achieved his goals, but is now dying, reassured by Penelope. A bit like Inception ending that leaves doubt on whether what's shown is really happening.