Shadows on the Wall | The Odyssey

The Odyssey

Review by Rich Cline | MUST SEE

dir-scr Christopher Nolan
prd Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan
with Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, John Leguizamo, Jon Bernthal, Samantha Morton, Elliot Page, Himesh Patel
release UK/US 17.Jul.26
26/UK Universal 2h53

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Spectacularly filmed with Imax cameras, this is a seriously vast movie, recounting Homer's epic tale in Christopher Nolan's singular style. In other words, it's another skilfully non-linear collage of flashbacks, memories, legends and dreams. And even if there are some cultural anomalies and slightly fuzzy plot threads, Nolan and his cast and crew bring each element together into a powerfully resonant message about the lingering trauma of war.

After leading his army to a surprise victory in Troy, Odysseus (Damon) finds himself trapped in a seemingly endless journey home to his island kingdom Ithaca. Along the way, his diminishing army faces giant monsters, a witch (Morton) and natural disasters, and he forgets himself for years with Calypso (Theron). Meanwhile back home, Odysseus' son Telemachus (Holland) worries about his mother Penelope (Hathaway), who is surrounded by impatient suitors led by the ruthless Antinous (Pattinson). She remains certain that her husband is alive. But her people are giving up hope that their king will return.

Set in "a time of apparent magic", the film plays on the idea that mythologies are created from a germ of truth. So Nolan intriguingly frames the supernatural elements as embellishments to tales passed down verbally, based on memories that might not be fully accurate due to trauma. Accounts of battle triumphs obscure the brutal atrocities, including the toll they take on the victors. So while people celebrate his achievements, Odysseus is haunted by the spirit of Athena (Zendaya), reminding him of the true horrors.

All of this gives the actors a lot to work with, infusing vivid emotional energy into each encounter. That they are all speaking in flat American accents is a bit distracting, as is the colour-blind casting. And a few storylines feel either undercooked or harshly edited. But the ensemble is packed with standout performances. As Odysseus' now-blind old friend, Leguizamo becomes the film's heart with a beautifully soulful turn. And Morton is jaw-dropping as an unusually conflicted Circe.

At the centre, Damon, Holland, Hathaway and Pattinson bring raw charisma to their characters, allowing each to catch the attention as they travel their own journeys through the narrative. All four offer compelling observations about a range of themes that catch us by the throat in the final act. And as Odysseus ponders his past, he begins to understand the devastation of his own actions on several fronts. So aside from being dazzlingly entertaining, the film ends on an important, urgent note.

themes, language, violence 14.Jul.26

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