My favorite episode of Joyce’s ‘Ulysses’ is Circe, which led me to Madeline Miller’s ‘Circe,’ which led me to be disappointed with Nolan’s treatment of Circe in the movie. You put a finer point on that shortcoming.
I love reading your take on this because it materializes elements of the film I perceived (especially the negative ones) but couldn't quite put into words. You've given me a lot to think about.
Perhaps there's a silver lining in that there's a whole new round of people becoming interested in the original poem, particularly Wilson's translation (if book sales are anything to go by).
Yes of course! I'm loving that people are discovering the story now which is what I'm trying to grapple with at the end of this piece. Thank you so much, Nando ❤️
I absolutely love this review Sophie! I agree with everything you said here. Sometimes it feels like the emotional core of Nolan films are somewhat missing, and just overshadowed with a loud score. The other thing that kept bugging me was the lack of sincerity I felt in their belief of the Greek gods. Something about the writing or the acting never made me fully believe they believed in the gods. It kind of gave me dissonance.
I wanted to write so MUCH about the lack of divinity!!! But I was already 6000 words in lol so I decided to skip since I covered what I would have loved to see in my first piece a year ago. In essence, I saw none of what I wanted. I really thought Nolan would do something cool and interesting to demonstrate the idea of the divine besides...weather phenomena 🫠
I actually went back and re-read your Telemachus diaries before I saw the movie and it was quite prophetic! The gods were a big disappointment for me for sure. As a fellow Greek Kid™️ whose mom read her “the Iliad for kids” before bed…I had higher hopes!!
This is beyond spectacular—the finest, “highest,” funnest, deepest thing I’ve read on this apparently endless topic. Please go on. And on. You’re doing us all so much good.
Fantastic review! Couldn’t agree more with all of your points and also appreciate how your love and knowledge of the original contextualizes them. You make me want to re-read Homer! Gonna go full fangirl here- I just effing adore how your mind/heart works and words. Thank you!
I've been reading your newsletter for a while -- I appreciate your very grounded reviews & commentary. Such a breath of fresh air in the bro-dominated cinematic space! This review is so thorough and thoughtful -- the convincer to get an annual subscription!
Such fantastic writing here, you really verbalised a lot of what I've been mulling over this past week. I really loved watching the film but found it very difficult to feel at all emotionally connected to the characters, the pleasure came from the spectacle!
I've picked up Emily Wilson's Odyssey so I can fucking feel something!
Sophie all of your points are so spot on, I feel kinda embarassed about liking it. Weirdly, I feel about this movie the same as I feel about Avatar. I enjoyed Avatar when it came out but I have never had any desire to watch it again, unlike say Fury Road, which I usually watch at least once a year. I'm trying to find the word that best describes the Odyssey and I think that word is disposable. A disposable, 250 million dollar, 3 hour epic lol. I guess only Nolan could make such a thing. I can truly empathize with lovers of the poem though. When a written work of fiction that you love and cherish is made into a movie, you so desperately want that movie to work, and when it doesn't, the sense of betrayal is real painful. You wanted art and all you got was this popcorn flick. A mile wide and an inch deep.
I just want Zendaya to use her power and stop playing these underwritten characters omg.
Anyway I think my current job made me relate to this film in a wholly different way, being a leader is hard! The suitors taking advantage of the law of Zeus and being dicks is what we’ve seen happen politically over the past five years. It felt dreadfully accurate in terms of how people have become worser and how tiring it is to deal with the world changing so drastically.
The Calypso scenes were super weird though, he got a bit too textual with the pop psychology and trauma treatment.
My favorite episode of Joyce’s ‘Ulysses’ is Circe, which led me to Madeline Miller’s ‘Circe,’ which led me to be disappointed with Nolan’s treatment of Circe in the movie. You put a finer point on that shortcoming.
Justice for Circe!!
I love reading your take on this because it materializes elements of the film I perceived (especially the negative ones) but couldn't quite put into words. You've given me a lot to think about.
Perhaps there's a silver lining in that there's a whole new round of people becoming interested in the original poem, particularly Wilson's translation (if book sales are anything to go by).
As always, thank you for sharing this, Sophie!
Yes of course! I'm loving that people are discovering the story now which is what I'm trying to grapple with at the end of this piece. Thank you so much, Nando ❤️
btw I would love it if your extended take on Oppenheimer becomes an article one day...just saying! 🤭
I absolutely love this review Sophie! I agree with everything you said here. Sometimes it feels like the emotional core of Nolan films are somewhat missing, and just overshadowed with a loud score. The other thing that kept bugging me was the lack of sincerity I felt in their belief of the Greek gods. Something about the writing or the acting never made me fully believe they believed in the gods. It kind of gave me dissonance.
I wanted to write so MUCH about the lack of divinity!!! But I was already 6000 words in lol so I decided to skip since I covered what I would have loved to see in my first piece a year ago. In essence, I saw none of what I wanted. I really thought Nolan would do something cool and interesting to demonstrate the idea of the divine besides...weather phenomena 🫠
I actually went back and re-read your Telemachus diaries before I saw the movie and it was quite prophetic! The gods were a big disappointment for me for sure. As a fellow Greek Kid™️ whose mom read her “the Iliad for kids” before bed…I had higher hopes!!
Back to the mini-series we go 🥹
What an incredible write up. Thank you.
I haven’t seen this yet but I’m hoping to this weekend!
This is beyond spectacular—the finest, “highest,” funnest, deepest thing I’ve read on this apparently endless topic. Please go on. And on. You’re doing us all so much good.
Aw thank you so much and for your support!!!
one word verdict: LOYALTY.
Cue me ordering Wilson’s book!
Enjoy!!
Thank you for this insightful review.
My pleasure 😌
Seeing tonite can’t wait to assess and read your thoughts Sophie!!
Enjoy!!
Fantastic review! Couldn’t agree more with all of your points and also appreciate how your love and knowledge of the original contextualizes them. You make me want to re-read Homer! Gonna go full fangirl here- I just effing adore how your mind/heart works and words. Thank you!
ARIE 😭😭😭❤️ Thank you!!!
I've been reading your newsletter for a while -- I appreciate your very grounded reviews & commentary. Such a breath of fresh air in the bro-dominated cinematic space! This review is so thorough and thoughtful -- the convincer to get an annual subscription!
You made my day Cathy, thank you so much 🥹❤️
Nailed it! You put into words so true what I felt watching...leaving. Love your goods Sophie!
Appreciate you Kelli ❤️
Such fantastic writing here, you really verbalised a lot of what I've been mulling over this past week. I really loved watching the film but found it very difficult to feel at all emotionally connected to the characters, the pleasure came from the spectacle!
I've picked up Emily Wilson's Odyssey so I can fucking feel something!
Amazing work as per!
Sophie all of your points are so spot on, I feel kinda embarassed about liking it. Weirdly, I feel about this movie the same as I feel about Avatar. I enjoyed Avatar when it came out but I have never had any desire to watch it again, unlike say Fury Road, which I usually watch at least once a year. I'm trying to find the word that best describes the Odyssey and I think that word is disposable. A disposable, 250 million dollar, 3 hour epic lol. I guess only Nolan could make such a thing. I can truly empathize with lovers of the poem though. When a written work of fiction that you love and cherish is made into a movie, you so desperately want that movie to work, and when it doesn't, the sense of betrayal is real painful. You wanted art and all you got was this popcorn flick. A mile wide and an inch deep.
https://theclearview.substack.com/p/the-homer-oracle
I just want Zendaya to use her power and stop playing these underwritten characters omg.
Anyway I think my current job made me relate to this film in a wholly different way, being a leader is hard! The suitors taking advantage of the law of Zeus and being dicks is what we’ve seen happen politically over the past five years. It felt dreadfully accurate in terms of how people have become worser and how tiring it is to deal with the world changing so drastically.
The Calypso scenes were super weird though, he got a bit too textual with the pop psychology and trauma treatment.