Christopher Nolan's adaptation of Homer's ancient epic has split Guardian readers, with many praising its technical ambition but questioning its emotional resonance and fidelity to the source material. Below, readers from around the world share their thoughts on the film.
Mixed feelings on scope and emotion
Samiul Kamal-Uddin, 49, from London, called the film an 'immense technical achievement' but felt it lacked emotional depth. 'I did enjoy it, but it did not resonate with me emotionally as some of Nolan’s other films have,' he said, adding that the star-studded cast sometimes distracted from the characters. Samantha Morton stood out, while Matt Damon reminded him of early Bourne performances. Others found the film more moving. Carmen, from St Louis, described it as 'a poignant and painful story of a man who has to reckon with all the death and destruction he was personally responsible for.'
A Greek perspective on cultural accuracy
Victoria Panagiotaki, 23, from Athens, noted the controversy in Greece over casting a Black actor as Helen but was curious about the adaptation. She felt the film was 'a very American version with little connection to Homer’s creation,' though she appreciated the screenplay and acting. 'The movie didn’t capture the core of Odysseus’s character – that he was very bad as well as very good,' she said. John Grgurich, 60, from Maryland, a longtime reader of the poem, was disappointed that Nolan 'gutted both the main character and the story,' turning Odysseus into a 'modern-age, two-dimensional good guy.' He cited the fight with the suitors as an example of sanitization.
Modern parallels and casting choices
April McCarthy, 38, from London, saw parallels to James Bond's updated characterization and praised Tom Holland's performance as Telemachus. However, she criticized the depiction of Penelope as passive. 'He could have made Penelope more of a matriarch rather than someone who sits at a loom for 20 years,' she said. Alexander from Chicago objected to filming in Western Sahara, calling it 'occupied lands.' Emily Hardouin-Cox, 42, from Dijon, attended with her 14-year-old son and both loved it. She viewed the film as 'a parable of our times' questioning armed conflict. Kristian, 41, from Brisbane, enjoyed the thriller-like pacing but found American accents and modern phrases jarring. He wished for more Greek talent in the cast.
Audio issues and narrative liberties
Alan, 58, from Edinburgh, disliked the Imax experience, requiring earplugs due to loudness. He praised the final scenes but noted a lack of chemistry between Matt Damon and Charlize Theron. Christina, 46, from Regensburg, a scholar of Ancient Greek, catalogued several deviations from Homer: the omission of the Phaeacians, Circe turned into a 'weird witch,' Athena sidelined, and suitors armed. She said the film 'felt quite hollow' but inspired her to revisit the original. Nick Hughes, 50, from Lancashire, found the film 'formulaic,' with a soundscape reminiscent of Dunkirk and American accents undermining the classical setting. Patrick from Seattle called it 'a proper summertime blockbuster' with awesome fights and a clever script, though dialogue was sometimes clunky and Nolan's desaturated palette typical.
