With the historical, fantasy, and action film "Die Odyssee", master director Christopher Nolan ("Oppenheimer", 55) brings the rarely filmed story of Odysseus to movie screens. In breathtaking imagery, the two-time Oscar winner tells of the end of the Trojan War, the wanderings of his title character, and Odysseus' (Matt Damon, 55) ultimate battle for his wife Penelope (Anne Hathaway, 43) and his kingdom, the island of Ithaca.
Historical Film Based on World-Famous Material
Christopher Nolan, it was no secret long before "Oppenheimer", is a master of his craft. Now he brings the legendary, fairy-tale-like ancient Greek Bronze Age back to life before his IMAX camera.
The audience experiences great battles in "Die Odyssee", such as the decisive fight for Troy following Odysseus' ruse with the Trojan Horse. There is also the title character and his men on their journey home - the odyssey itself.
Here, Nolan's latest work transforms into, among other things, a seafaring film, as Odysseus' ship, which remotely resembles a Viking boat, is tossed about in massive storms sent by the enraged sea god Poseidon.
Then there is the storyline set in Ithaca. Here, Odysseus' wife Penelope and his son Telemachus ("Spider-Man" Tom Holland, 30) wait longingly for the hero's return, their husband and father who has been absent for 20 years - while simultaneously trying to keep Penelope's numerous suitors, such as the cunning Antinous (Robert Pattinson, 40), in check.
Visual Power and Grand Action
In "Die Odyssee", all of filmmaker Christopher Nolan's strengths shine through. The ancient scenes were often created at real locations of breathtaking beauty. The director and his cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema (54) repeatedly worked with special lighting in beautiful shots that resembles the glow of torches - or filmed during sunsets and sunrises.
This is possibly Christopher Nolan's most stylish film to date. The action scenes are overwhelming. And the filmmaker, who once had his breakthrough with "Memento" (2000), once again tells the story of the "Odyssee" in a temporally interwoven manner. For example, the conquest and destruction of Troy is repeatedly circled back to, until it finally becomes clear how much this title character Odysseus has been broken.
Compromises in Cast and Lead Couple
Nolan's strengths, however, do not lie in interpersonal dynamics. This has been criticized about the great director many times in the past. And here too, some of the weakest scenes are those between Matt Damon's Odysseus and his on-screen wife Penelope, portrayed by Anne Hathaway.
The chemistry between the two major Hollywood stars is only partially convincing - as are some casting decisions, such as superstar Zendaya (29) as the goddess of wisdom Athena, or Robert Pattinson, who recently seems to be everywhere. Especially with the supporting and smaller roles, one wonders as a viewer whether Nolan couldn't have opted for a more unknown but more suitable face - or a not-so-perfectly-attractive character actor.
On the other hand, there are magnificent casting decisions, such as Charlize Theron (50) as the alluring nymph Calypso, who delays Odysseus for years with her charms - or the terrifying Samantha Morton (49) as the sorceress and witch Circe, who seems to channel all her rage about toxic destructiveness into her role.
Absolutely Must See in Theaters
But the aforementioned points of criticism hardly matter in the face of an epically told, visually overwhelming story. Viewers will feel in many places of Nolan's brilliant work as if they were really there - in the chaos of battle at Troy or aboard Odysseus' ship, which is about to capsize in stormy seas.
"Die Odyssee" becomes almost physically tangible for its audience in numerous moments - and Nolan brings an era long past, far before our time, to life more than convincingly.
