So I watched The Odyssey…

Saying that Sir Christopher Nolan is a master filmmaker is a statement that feels incredibly redundant at this point, but what other words can we use to describe his genius? I’ve watched all but three of his movies – a deficiency I need to correct urgently – and every time I watch something he’s made, it’s always an experience. It’s an experience not just in terms of the quality of the direction, his casting choices and the sound design, but, most importantly, in terms of the reflections that the stories he chooses to tell inspire. The Odyssey feels like his magnum opus. This isn’t just one of the best films he’s ever made; it might just be one of the best ever!

Okay, basic plot: Following the end of the Trojan War, Odysseus (Matt Damon), king of Ithaca, begins his long journey home. Still reeling from the sacrifices and horrors that came with winning the war, Odysseus’ voyage is beset by frightening and mythical forces that not only threaten his life and the lives of his men but also compel him to reckon with the aftermath of the cruelty of war. Unbeknownst to Odysseus, his long absence has caused chaos in his home of Ithaca, with rivals clamouring to seize his throne and claim his wife, Penelope (Anne Hathaway). Both must endure great hardship, with no guarantee that Odysseus will ever return home.

It’s a shame that I don’t have the vocabulary to accurately praise this film. Its beauty and majesty are ineffable. But for the purposes of this review, I will try to articulate the indescribable. Perfect. Flawless. There isn’t a weak point or a missed opportunity throughout the film’s entire runtime. From the second the film begins, everything in it feels deliberate, focused and of the highest quality. I have to begin by praising Nolan because he is the best director working in film, and it shows. This film truly feels like an epic! Nolan does an amazing job of bringing the scale and grandeur of this story to life while still managing to make it feel intimate and personal, with characters you care about and want to see succeed or, in many cases, fail horribly. Normally, I wait until the end of the review to recommend whether you see a film or not, but this recommendation can’t wait: GO WATCH THIS FILM AND GO WATCH IT IN IMAX! It’s shot beautifully, and Nolan pays as much attention to the wide shots depicting the frenzy and chaos of Odysseus’ journey as he does to the close-ups that highlight the turmoil and quiet rage of a character. The one criticism I used to have of Nolan was that he didn’t showcase action set pieces as well as he did dramatic scenes. I can no longer say that. He’s a master without rival.

Not only is this film masterfully directed and shot with practical effects that will have you scratching your head, wondering how they aren’t CGI, but it’s also wonderfully written. The story of The Odyssey is almost 3,000 years old and so ubiquitous that we are all familiar with some version of the story or at least aspects of it. That means creating tension, shock or stakes in a story that is so well known must be challenging. Nolan not only clears that hurdle but makes it seem effortless. I was looking through Nolan’s filmography while writing this, and the common thread in all his films is exceptional but flawed characters who have to deal with the ramifications of their actions. This is the focus of The Odyssey and allows Nolan to make this story feel new and exciting. You know what’s going to happen, but Nolan delivers it in a way that always surprises and engages you.

Something that won’t come as a surprise is the quality of the cast Nolan assembles. At the head of it is Matt Damon as Odysseus, delivering the best performance I’ve ever seen him give. He takes the foundation of Nolan’s writing and creates a deeply complex and rich character. Damon’s version of Odysseus has all the wisdom and cunning you’d expect of this character but also has an arrogance and rebellious quality that I really enjoyed. There were several times in the film when I found myself torn about how I felt about Odysseus. He’s the protagonist and you want him to succeed, but you also find yourself wondering at times whether he should. I was watching an interview with Nolan in which the interviewer commented that this film felt like a sequel to Oppenheimer. It might sound nonsensical at first, but if you think about the two characters and the reckoning each is forced into following his actions to win a war, you start to see the similarities and understand the interviewer’s point. Damon does a fantastic job of simultaneously making you root for Odysseus’ success while also making you question his character – and even your own understanding of good and evil.

It feels like an injustice not to praise every single actor in this cast because the quality of their performances is superb. That being said, I do have to single out the performances of Robert Pattinson, Tom Holland and Anne Hathaway. I think the film is actually about two journeys – well, three, but let’s not get into spoilers. The first and most obvious is Odysseus facing mortal dangers and his own regret in his attempt to make it home. The second is the political and moral journey that the characters played by Pattinson, Holland and Hathaway have to traverse. Pattinson is wickedly vile as Antinous – one of the main suitors after Odysseus’ throne. He is so sleazy and underhanded, and Pattinson is very quickly becoming one of my favourite actors. Battling against the ambitious Antinous are Holland as Odysseus’ son, Telemachus, and Hathaway as Queen Penelope. Hathaway is class, and I feel like I’ve grown up watching her; she’s only getting better with time. Her Penelope has a ferocity tempered by obligation and an unyielding loyalty that are beautiful to behold. Holland is a revelation, and although he is already a global superstar due to his work as Spider-Man, this feels like his breakout role in many ways. He’s acting alongside some of the best to ever do it and never feels out of his league.

Masterful direction, skilled writing and brilliant acting – what more could one ask for? How about one of the best scores – and some of the best sound design – I’ve ever heard in a film? Ludwig Göransson once again shines. You can often forget how important the music accompanying a film can be, but with Göransson at the helm, this is an impossibility. The sound feels like a character. It heightens the anxiety and tension and masterfully recedes into the background depending on exactly what the scene requires. Being on the edge of your seat is a term that often gets thrown around, but Göransson, along with Nolan, transports you from your seat and places you in the action. There were moments in the film, especially at its climax, when I was actively sweating because I felt like I was in the room watching the events occur. While I’ve always praised Nolan’s direction, I would be remiss if I didn’t also praise Hoyte van Hoytema, the film’s cinematographer. Any praise I have for Nolan’s ability to bring this epic to life belongs, in large part, to van Hoytema’s brilliance.

Overall, The Odyssey is one of the best films I’ve ever seen. It’s a testament to all the aspects of filmmaking working at the highest level – talented actors, a brilliant director and crew, and a story that has stood the test of time. Watch it and then watch it again! 10/10