I was yet again reminded of my love for cinema while watching the much-anticipated Christopher Nolan film The Odyssey. A little flex, I watched the film at the India Premiere in Mumbai. Based on the Greek poet Homer’s work, The Odyssey stars a talented cast including Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya and Elliot Page, among others. Like any other Nolan film, this one also has the vision of the director, and it’s a journey that takes its audience along for the ride. I know that your tickets are already booked, but here’s a spoiler-free review if you are wondering! Read on.
Plot
The movie revolves around the journey of Odysseus (Matt Damon), the King of Ithaca, after his victory in the Trojan War. While Odysseus is lost on his way home, Penelope (Anne Hathaway), his wife, has to deal with several suitors waiting for her to choose one for the throne. Among them is Antinous (Robert Pattinson). Odysseus’s son Telemachus (Tom Holland) is curious and hopeful about his father’s return. The movie is based on Greek Mythology, and therefore, there is also a presence of gods and creatures. Zendaya plays Goddess Athena, Elliot Page is seen as Sinon, a fictional Greek soldier, Lupita Nyong’o plays dual roles as twin sisters, Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra and Charlize Theron is seen as Calypso (sea nymph). The screenplay is structured to present events both in the past and present, balancing the protagonist’s journey with the longing and pain that his family undergoes. The mythological aspects of the story are also incorporated into the narrative.
Performances
Matt Damon as Odysseus is the highlight of the film. The character is quite complex because it’s also a Christopher Nolan protagonist. There is an internal moral conflict that Odysseus goes through after the Trojan War, and Matt Damon brings those nuanced emotions to life. Anne Hathaway is brilliant as Queen Penelope. The actor handles the heartaching emotions of the wife with exceptional sensitivity, while simultaneously channelling the wrath and anger of Queen through her body language. Tom Holland effortlessly fits the role of Telemachus. The actor perfectly balances the traits of his character, convincing us that Odysseus’s son is curious yet directionless, but also his mother’s protector. Robert Pattinson interestingly captures the evil and cowardly nature of Antinous, but gets limited screen time for the impact to linger much. Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Elliot Page and Charlize Theron are quite memorable in their roles, but the film is only the three actors’ show!
Visuals And Sound Design
The epic and grand visuals of the film are here to stay with you. Every frame and sequence in The Odyssey features a colour gradient that impeccably complements the tone of those moments. My favourite moments out of them have to be the witch sequence, Odysseus in Hades, the fight sequences in the climax, the cyclopes, the song of sirens and moments shared between Odysseus and Penelope. And this was inevitable because director Christopher Nolan yet again gives us a film that is an immersive cinematic experience blended with emotions.
The pulping and grand sound design, credited to Ludwig Göransson, enhances the experience of watching these visuals. The impact is doubled with the background score that, in moments, will also give you chills!
Direction
Christopher Nolan sets a new bar in filmmaking. He sticks to Homer’s literature but adds his interpretation of the text through the emotional journey of the characters, especially the protagonist. The grandeur with which he portrays the events that unfolded in Odysseus’s journey, along with the well-crafted dialogues, adds a certain depth to the narrative. Despite being inspired by a mythological text, the modern interpretation resonates with the audience without feeling like a distraction. The visionary director touches on some horror elements in the film, too, which left us wanting more.
Verdict
The Odyssey by Christopher Nolan is a masterpiece, and for those three hours, you wouldn’t want to blink. It’s a treat for the eyes and ears both. The cast is top-notch and at their best, and so is the gripping screenplay and crisp narrative. Embark on this journey preferably on IMAX!