Academic Emily Wilson, whose translation influenced the film, has published a critical review of Christopher Nolan's latest movie, The Odyssey.

Emily Wilson, the academic whose 2017 translation of Homer's Odyssey influenced director Christopher Nolan's new film adaptation, has published a scathing review of the movie. While Wilson criticized the film's narrative and character depth, she acknowledged that the project has generated renewed public interest in the original epic poem.

Criticism of the Adaptation

Wilson described the film's writing as "abysmal," arguing that the characters lack convincing motivations and emotional depth. She characterized the movie as an "audiovisual spectacle" comparable to a fireworks display, noting that it prioritizes "big bangs and big giants" over the psychological or ethical complexity found in the original text. Additionally, she observed that while the film features more female characters than typical Nolan movies, they are underdeveloped compared to their counterparts in the poem.

Impact on Literature and Cinema

Despite her critique, Wilson expressed gratitude for the film's role in encouraging public interest in Homer's work. She noted that sales of various translations of The Odyssey have increased and suggested the film might help discourage college administrators from cutting literature and history departments. The film, which stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, has received positive reviews from several other publications, including The Telegraph and The Times.