The Odyssey

I watched Interstellar at the cinema and left feeling utterly exhilarated, and I’ve made a point of catching new Christopher Nolan films on the big screen ever since. I didn’t rate Oppenheimer that highly, but I went into The Odyssey cautiously excited. I won’t attempt a lengthy review, partly because I never studied Greek mythology or read the classics, and partly because I need to sit with this film a bit longer (and rewatch it). I also don’t want to go overboard: it’s a solid 4/5 for me, but a few performances, modern turns of phrase, and elements of story structure didn’t quite sit right. Still, there are several things I want to note and celebrate: I’ve gradually become more attuned to the subliminal visual techniques that underpin great films, and this one leans on them throughout: the supernatural rendered as elemental forces (weather, tides, pressure); the coded use of light and fire (everything is lit with such intent); and the emphasis on ritual and rules (hinting at ancient…