Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey has stirred quite a bit of discussion. John Doyle, a presenter, seems to think the situation has taken a turn for the worse.
“I feel so vindicated,” Doyle expressed, admitting he’s never really been a fan of Nolan’s work.
He speculated, “Part of me wants to think Nolan might actually be on our side, like he’s a covert patriot trying to mess with further adaptations.” Yet, he feels that’s unlikely because, in his view, the film is “one of the most blatant, on-the-nose subversions” ever produced by Hollywood.
For instance, Doyle points out the casting choices: Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy, and Elliot Page (formerly Ellen) as a soldier.
“He turned ancient Greece into this rainbow nation, where you see white Greeks, black Greeks, and Asian Greeks—it feels surreal, right?” he mentioned. “It’s just a jumbled mass-market spectacle, where almost every meaningful plot point is thrown out,” he continued.
He also criticized the reduction of male sexuality, calling the film’s message overly feminized, driven by the notion of trauma recovery, and highlighting the negative aspects of war.
Doyle described the adaptation as a “complete reversal” and “antithesis” of the original epic poem.
“The Odyssey was supposed to paint a picture in the audience’s minds; it’s about imagination,” he elaborated. “But this version feels like modern rubbish, relying heavily on visual effects. It completely wipes out the original themes and morals, substituting them for the most predictable liberal messaging: war is bad, healing is good, and so forth. Honestly, it’s not even worth your time,” he concluded.
