Christopher Nolan's adaptation of Homer's "The Odyssey" has achieved significant critical and commercial success, but not all are in complete agreement with the director's creative choices. While the film has garnered a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an impressive $264 million opening weekend, some Greek translators and classical scholars have voiced specific concerns regarding the narrative and character alterations.
Emily Wilson, a professor of classical studies at the University of Pennsylvania whose 2017 translation of "The Odyssey" reportedly inspired Nolan, recommends seeing the film in theaters. However, she noted the absence of key gods like Zeus and Poseidon and described the movie's anti-war and anti-cowardice message as "incoherent." Wilson also expressed disappointment with the portrayal of Penelope, suggesting the character's role was diminished to a point that it undermined the credibility of the marriage. The scenes involving Odysseus' dog, Argos, were criticized for catering to "modern sentimentality," and overall, Wilson felt Nolan attempted to include too much while omitting essential themes from the original poem.
Wilson had previously commented on casting, suggesting Matt Damon was not her ideal choice for Odysseus, though she acknowledged his ability to portray a schemer. She indicated Samuel L. Jackson would have been her preference for his capacity to convey intelligence, wit, and commanding presence. While Nolan drew from her translation, Wilson confirmed she was not directly consulted during the film's production.
Daniel Mendelsohn, another translator of "The Odyssey," also praised Nolan's film but shared reservations about the characterization of Odysseus. In a review for The New York Review, Mendelsohn pointed out a lack of cleverness, humor, and charm in the film's protagonist. He highlighted the departure from Homer's text where Odysseus outsmarts the Cyclops with the "nobody" pun, noting that the film instead depicts a more direct, physical confrontation. Furthermore, Mendelsohn observed a significant reduction in the role of the goddess Athena, whose interactions with Odysseus are a notable element in the original epic. In Nolan's version, Athena's presence is limited to a few scenes offering encouragement during Odysseus' moments of doubt, a stark contrast to her more substantial and complex role in Homer's work.
Despite these scholarly critiques, the film has been recognized as a spectacular and emotional blockbuster. The adaptation, while deviating from the source material in fundamental ways, offers its own interpretation. Viewers can appreciate Nolan's "The Odyssey" as a distinct cinematic achievement while acknowledging where it diverges from the classic poem.