Since its release on July 17, Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey has faced backlash from right-wing figures accusing it of being too woke and from those who believe it doesn't do justice to female characters or people of colour. Renowned classicist Emily Wilson has now added her own scathing takedown, tearing apart Nolan's interpretation of the characters, dialogue, and use of war.
Wilson's criticism
Wilson, whose 2017 translation was credited by Nolan as an inspiration, said she would be 'ashamed' to have written any part of the film. She criticises the flattening of Odysseus as a veteran racked with guilt, the loss of whimsical elements, and the omission of key scenes such as the lotus flower and Nausicaa.
The author, a longtime fan of the Odyssey, agrees with some of Wilson's points. She singles out the Cyclops scene as a particular letdown. In the original text, Odysseus tricks Polyphemus by saying his name is 'No-one', causing the Cyclops to cry out that 'No-one is attacking'. Nolan rewrites this with subpar trickery and confusing exposition.
A flawed but impressive adaptation
Despite these issues, the author acknowledges the film's strengths, calling it a 'magnificent feat of filmmaking' with poignant commentary on the cost of war. After a second viewing, the author's sister remarked that Odysseus 'seemed like an idiot'.
Ultimately, the author concludes that a 'perfect' adaptation can never exist and hopes this is just one of many versions to come.
