Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is a Story That Deserves to be Told

Guy InChair is the Culture Combine's newest movie reviewer. He analyzes films. Reviews will be thoughtful, non-toxic and spoiler-free. Please enjoy. 

My first question when Nolan announced his intention to make a big-screen adaptation of The Odyssey, was "Why? Who is this for?" 

The story of The Odyssey is one of mankind's oldest shared narratives. People tend to know some part of it or even the broadest strokes of the very loose plot. What more needed to be said about it that the Coen Brothers neglected to say in O Brother, Where Are Thou?

But this film neatly sidesteps any questions of necessity by grounding itself into this gritty, weirdly realistic magical world of  Chris Nolan film. Where fantastical things happen with such banal reality that their essence defies questioning or deeper analysis. The giants are giants because they are giants. This guy fights crime in fetish gear because he's Batman. These guys fight backwards in time because they're Tenet. Digging any deeper doesn't answer any questions or enhance viewing. Acceptance is key. 

Simply put, Nolan wrote and directed The Odyssey because no one else had really attempted a big-screen adaptation before and because the episodic nature of the story can be subtly shaped to make commentary on the world we find ourselves living in today. Odysseus has a monologue in the last third of the movie that's speaking directly to the conditions of his world and his life; but more broadly can be applied to our modern world too. Some thing has been lost because of the choices of one man. 

Take from that whatever you will...

Nolan's world is casually fantastical. Yes, there are Gods. Yes, they speak to us in ways that make sense. Yes, there are fantastical beasts that walk this Earth. Yes, they make sense. Nolan's insistence to do things realistically, in camera, without CGI absolutely works and it's impressive to see a master filmmaker work his craft; creating illusions that would've dazzled Georges Méliès.

Performances, across the board, are pretty fantastical. And a Nolan film has more stars in it than The Muppet Movie. Big name actors took small roles to be on this ship with Nolan and Damon. Devoting their talents to tell this story, no matter the size of the role. Damon understands the assignment. He's in crazy good shape and all the old Bourne Identity skills come into play here. Hathaway goes for the Oscar gold in her performance thats passionate without being maudlin. And even Spiderman is pretty great in this movie as "Angsty Teen Son". Some reviewers online are criticizing him as being the weak link of the cast. I don't see that at all. 

Online film crybabies are screaming about Elliot Page playing a Greek Warrior. He's great. They're dumb and transphobic.

Online film crybabies are screaming about Lupita N'Yongo as Helen of Troy. She's great! They're dumb and racist. 

Nothing in this film warrants public outrage for the clickbait farms. Ignore all of that. 

Nolan shot the film to be seen in 70MM IMAX. If you can see it that way, you should. The nearest theater that's showing the film in that format is 90 minute from me, each way, so standard IMAX will do. And if that isn't your cup of tea; seeing it in standard format works too. Look, this is grandiose filmmaking at it's best. Watching it on your phone, in six months, isn't going to give you the full experience. See this one in the theaters, while you can. 

Two cautionary notes: There is some cruelty to a dog in this movie and it genuinely sucks. I hate that stuff. Dogs deserve better. Tread lightly. And also, if you're like me and body horror stuff freaks you out; the Circie's Table scene is a rough ride. I legitimately thought about leaving the room, during that scene. It really messed me up. Good God. 

Now back to my first question: Why make The Odyssey? Because the story deserves to be told. Because it has lessons to teach us and because a master filmmaker can and should make whatever the Hell he wants. We're very lucky to be alive to see it. (On the biggest screen possible.)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Odyssey

Written and Directed by Christopher Nolan.

Starring Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway and Tom Holland. 

Opened July 17th.