“The Odyssey”
“The Odyssey” has arrived and I’ve had the privilege to see it in IMAX 70MM and if you have the opportunity to do, please do. It’s meant to be seen on a premium format and you deserve the opportunity to experience it. I’ve recorded my podcast episode with my contained thoughts below, but we’re opening up pandora’s box starting Thursday including its box office milestones it’ll hit along its first weekend.
However, let’s get started with “The Odyssey” and its masterclass on taking you on a voyage that doesn’t rest easy. We’re going through a nonlinear format in the film, but you’re able to stay on the path and want even more out of its journey. Led by one of my favourite actors, Matt Damon who portrays Odysseus in this tale of reflection he allows us to be broken with him. He has a voyage of struggling to get home to Ithaca after the battle of Troy and it’ll be 10 years before he gets home to his wife, Penelope (portrayed by Anne Hathaway) and his son, Telemachus (portrayed by Tom Holland). What I admire from Christopher Nolan who directs an unintentional follow up to his award winning “Oppenheimer” and isn’t afraid to demonstrate men who must face the consequences of their decisions and talents.
Damon’s portrayal of Odysseus is raw, charismatic and perfect for me because this cumulates into a man’s journey on avoiding his truth and his hubris being remedied by the end. I make the comparison to “Oppenheimer” in my review because Cillian Murphy was able to tap into the vulnerability of letting open the atomic bomb to the world, but it was his leadership, brilliance and guidance that moved it forward and that power was never put back. Similarly, with Damon’s Odysseus you have his deception and cleverness of assembling the Trojan Horse and manipulating Zeus’ law become the downfall of civilization after the battle of Troy. There were no stopping others to manipulate Zeus’ law in a similar manner that Odysseus did leading to the disbelief of Greek Gods and an open field of invasions to ensue.
Throughout the film we see career best performances from Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson and John Leguizamo who are not only enhanced in Christopher Nolan’s direction, but powerfully radiate. I knew going in I was going to love this film because of my love for Greek mythology and of Matt Damon’s performance, but I didn’t expect to be floor by a stacked ensemble cast. Particularly, John Leguizamo who I speak more of on the podcast, but he delivers a career best performance that I hope shines during awards season. Also, Tom Holland delivers his best work since “The Impossible” which introduced the world to a talented young actor who in “The Odyssey” goes through a coming-of-age story in many ways and feels paralleled to Holland’s own journey.
What I do we wish we had more of is Charlize Theron as Calypso who in the time we get with her shows me we need her more on the big screen. She radiates an elegance and melancholy in her performance that drew me in and left me wanting more especially if you know Calypso’s tale through the Greeks history. Also, Lupita Nyong’o is wonderful as twin sisters Helen and Clytemnestra but is a departure of the tale, but a wise choice on the interpretation selected because it allowed for a more streamline tale. While the battle of Troy was in Helen’s name it wasn’t a major point in Homer’s “The Odyssey” because Helen was an afterthought for Odysseus which explains the size of role Lupita has but makes the most of it. However, Anne Hathaway as Penelope is one of her best performances because she is a pillar among suitors who wants to tower her, but she shines so brightly without let up and closes Odysseus’ story with such love. Lastly, Zendaya who portrays Athena and is used sparingly but powerfully. Zendaya herself is already a larger-than-life presence with her career and here she utilizes her strengths and wisdom to deliver a goddess-esque performance that has me confident she’ll be a leading lady in a Christopher Nolan film sooner rather than later.
Additionally, the score in “The Odyssey” is yet again another mile marker for Ludwig Göransson on being nominated yet again this upcoming awards season. Alongside Academy award winner cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema who delivers jaw dropping direction with his love affair of IMAX being encapsulated for our mortal eyes. Lastly, costume designer Ellen Mirojnick could be leading in for a second academy award nomination for a visual fest particularly on Anne Hathaway’s Penelope and her reasoning for keeping her in bright jewel tones, glammed up and ready to receive Odysseus the day he returns since she never mourned him, but believed in return. Later, this week I’ll touch on “The Odyssey” and its path for awards season where I see a bright future ahead.
I hope you’ll tune into my episode below and we’re going to keep on The Odyssey” coverage throughout this week into the rest of awards season! GET READY!
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