Sanjay V Shah
Greek mythology has inspired filmmakers for decades. Few adaptations have succeeded in capturing the sheer scale, emotional depth and philosophical richness of Homer’s The Odyssey. Christopher Nolan’s latest film arrives with enormous expectations. It is his first feature shot entirely with IMAX film cameras, his 13th directorial venture, and perhaps the boldest technical experiment of his career.
The anticipation surrounding The Odyssey has been extraordinary. IMAX tickets sold in huge numbers, in advance in several countries, while even people unfamiliar with Greek mythology were curious to know what made this film so special.
I decided to watch it a little differently.
Instead of seeing it in IMAX, I chose a regular theatre. More importantly, I watched the Hindi dubbed version instead of the original English one! There was a reason behind it. Before experiencing the film in the format Christopher Nolan intended, I wanted to find out whether it could still leave a lasting impression in an ordinary cinema with a dubbed soundtrack.
It certainly could.
Even without the scale and immersion of IMAX, The Odyssey remains an engaging experience. That, by itself, speaks volumes about Nolan’s craftsmanship. Many around me seemed unfamiliar with Homer, Greek mythology or even Christopher Nolan’s earlier films. Some probably did not even know that the film runs for nearly three hours. Yet when the lights came on, they walked out looking satisfied.
That is one of the biggest qualities of great cinema. A truly good film does not expect its audience to know everything beforehand. Instead, it makes them curious enough to learn more afterwards.
Before I go any further, one clarification is necessary.
This review is based on my experience of watching the film in a regular theatre, in Hindi. My son saw it in IMAX and simply could not stop talking about the experience. Listening to him only strengthened my belief that Nolan has designed this film for the largest screen possible. I have little doubt that the IMAX version offers an altogether different cinematic experience. My observations here, therefore, are about the film itself rather than the IMAX presentation.
So, what exactly makes The Odyssey such a remarkable film?
The answer, in one word, is authenticity.
Nowadays, historical epics often depend heavily on computer-generated imagery. The Odyssey is a different world. Christopher Nolan has relied as much as possible on real and raw locations, practical filmmaking and natural landscapes. That decision gives the film a realism that is difficult to achieve through visual effects alone.
From the deserts of Morocco to the rugged landscapes of Iceland and the ancient coastline of Malta, every location feels like a natural part of the story rather than a spectacular backdrop. Nothing appears artificial or over-designed. The world of The Odyssey feels believable.
The background score by Ludwig Göransson deserves special mention. It does much more than accompany the visuals. It quietly enhances the mood of every important scene, making the audience feel the emotions rather than merely watch them. I can only imagine how much more powerful it must sound in an IMAX auditorium.
The costumes, too, deserve appreciation.
When the first look of Matt Damon as Odysseus was released, many people on social media questioned his appearance. Some expected him to look like the majestic king they had imagined while reading Greek mythology.
However, after watching the film, Nolan’s approach becomes much easier to understand.
Many critics have pointed out that the film appears to draw inspiration from Emily Wilson’s acclaimed English translation of The Odyssey. In her interpretation, Odysseus is not presented as an untouchable legendary hero. He is a tired warrior, a man who has spent years fighting a brutal war and then another decade struggling to return home. His appearance reflects that long and painful journey.
From that perspective, the costume design feels completely appropriate. Nolan is not trying to create a glamorous historical epic. He is trying to present a believable human being. The same philosophy extends to the rest of the cast. Their costumes never distract from the story. Instead, they help create a world that feels historically grounded and emotionally convincing.
As for the performances, there is hardly a weak link.
Matt Damon delivers a restrained and convincing performance as Odysseus. Rather than portraying him as an invincible hero, he brings out the vulnerability, determination and exhaustion of a man who has endured unimaginable hardships.
Robert Pattinson, as Antinous, is one of the film’s biggest surprises. His performance is controlled, confident and quietly menacing, making him a memorable antagonist without resorting to exaggerated villainy.
Anne Hathaway is graceful and dignified as Penelope. Samantha Morton lends Circe both mystery and authority. Zendaya gives Athena a calm yet commanding presence, while John Leguizamo is thoroughly dependable as Eumaeus. Indian-origin actor Himesh Patel delivers impressively as Eurylochus, bringing sincerity to the role. Charlize Theron, though seen for a relatively short time as Calypso, leaves a lasting impression.
A word about the Hindi dubbed version.
The dubbing is reasonably good and should satisfy viewers who prefer watching films in Hindi. Even so, certain nuances of performance and dialogue are naturally lost in translation. Whenever possible, I would recommend watching the film in its original English version.
That said, even in a regular theatre with a dubbed soundtrack, The Odyssey succeeds in holding the audience’s attention from beginning to end. For me, that is perhaps the strongest proof of the film’s quality.
Does The Odyssey Have Any Weaknesses? Yes. No film is perfect, and The Odyssey is no exception.
Nolan has often been criticised for placing greater emphasis on ideas than on emotions. Some viewers may feel the same here. There are moments when the narrative moves so swiftly that certain emotional situations do not receive the time they perhaps deserve. A few relationships could have been explored in greater depth.
At nearly three hours, the film is undoubtedly long. However, I never found it tedious. The story keeps moving, and Nolan’s narrative style ensures that the audience remains engaged throughout. Even so, a few scenes could perhaps have been shorter.
These, however, are relatively minor shortcomings in an otherwise remarkable film.
The greatest achievement of The Odyssey is not that it tells an ancient story. It is that it makes an ancient story feel relevant even today. Thousands of years have passed since Homer composed this epic, yet its themes remain timeless. War, separation, temptation, courage, hope, perseverance and the longing to return home are emotions that belong to every age. That is why The Odyssey continues to be read, performed and watched on the big screen.
Christopher Nolan deserves credit not merely for making another historical epic, but for introducing one of the world’s greatest literary works to a new generation of moviegoers. Many people who watch this film may feel encouraged to read Homer for the first time. If that happens, the film will have achieved something beyond entertainment.
In an era dominated by superheroes, sequels and franchise films, it is refreshing to see a filmmaker invest such passion and resources in a story that has survived for nearly three thousand years.
One more point deserves appreciation.
Nolan has resisted the temptation to modernise the story unnecessarily. He has remained largely faithful to its spirit while presenting it through the language of contemporary cinema. That balance is not easy to achieve, and it is one of the film’s biggest strengths. If you enjoy epic cinema, historical adventures or stories rooted in mythology, The Odyssey is a film you should not miss.
And if you have the opportunity, watch it in IMAX. After hearing my son’s experience and watching the film myself in a regular theatre, I have every reason to believe that this is the format Christopher Nolan intended his audience to experience. My ticket to an IMAX theatre is waiting for me to re-live The Odyssey. The best possible way.
Rating: ★★★★
