Christopher Nolan's “The Odyssey” has found one of its sharpest critics in classicist Emily Wilson, whose acclaimed 2017 translation of Homer's epic was cited by the filmmaker as a key inspiration for the film. In a blistering essay for the London Review of Books titled ‘An Uncomplicated Man,’ Wilson argues that Nolan's adaptation strips away much of what makes the original poem enduring, describing it as visually impressive but intellectually and emotionally hollow.
Wilson writes that she had hoped Nolan's long-standing fascination with Homeric themes would “push him to new creative heights,” but instead found that “The Odyssey features his usual combination of grandiosity and superficiality.” She adds that “the film's vision is too confused, its characters too underdeveloped, to deliver what it half-promises in terms of big ideas – although it is very good at conveying big bangs and big giants.”
Her criticism extends beyond the spectacle. According to Wilson, Nolan's adaptation “lacks many of the elements that make the poem great.” She argues that it “has nothing convincing to say about time, memory, history, war, or about the relationship between one warrior's glorious return and the lives of his family, adversaries, comrades, friends and neighbours.” She goes on to describe the film as lacking “psychological, emotional, political and ethical depth,” calling its narrative structure “gimmicky” and declaring that “the writing is abysmal.” She also writes that “none of the characters has convincing motivation for their actions or words.”
Wilson also cites Nolan's public praise for her translation, particularly his admiration for its famous opening line, “Tell me about a complicated man.” Responding in her essay, she remarks: “Nolan has read at least the first line of my translation... But I would be ashamed to have written any part of this script.”
Despite her sweeping criticism, Wilson ends on a conciliatory note. She acknowledges that the blockbuster has reignited interest in Homer, writing that “the release of The Odyssey is still an event to celebrate.” She notes that translations of the epic, including her own, are “flying off the shelves,” expressing hope that the film's success may encourage more people to read Greek literature and even persuade universities to continue supporting literature, language and history departments.
