Homer's Translator Emily Wilson Condemns Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' as 'Abysmal'

Christopher Nolan publicly credited Emily Wilson's celebrated 2017 translation of Homer's "The Odyssey" as a creative influence during the press tour for his latest blockbuster. He told Empire magazine that her opening line — "Tell me about a complicated man" — served as a guiding principle for his portrayal of Odysseus, played by Matt Damon. Wilson, a professor of classical studies at the University of Pennsylvania, has now delivered her own verdict on the film, and it is nothing short of devastating.

A Scholar's Scathing Verdict

Writing in the London Review of Books, first surfaced by The Guardian, Wilson dismantled Nolan's adaptation with the precision of a scholar who has spent years immersed in Homer's text. She argued that the film possesses "nothing convincing to say" and expressed disappointment that Nolan's acknowledged affinity for Homeric themes failed to push him toward richer creative territory.

Wilson had hoped that Nolan's connection to these ancient themes might elevate his work to new creative heights and yield more believable characters. Instead, she found what she described as his usual combination of grandiosity and superficiality — a film whose vision is too confused and whose characters are too underdeveloped to deliver on the big ideas it half-promises.

She did grant the film one concession: it is, she noted, "very good at conveying big bangs and big giants."

What the Film Gets Wrong, According to Wilson

Wilson's critique cut to the core of what makes Homer's poem an enduring masterpiece. She argued that Nolan's version strips away the epic's meditations on time, memory, history, and war. It also fails, in her view, to explore the complex relationship between one warrior's glorious return and the lives of his family, adversaries, comrades, friends, and neighbors.

In her assessment, the film lacks psychological, emotional, political, and ethical depth. She labeled the narrative structure "gimmicky" and described the writing as "abysmal," noting that none of the characters has convincing motivation for their actions or words. She also pointed out the absence of sex scenes and observed, with apparent dismay, that all the food on screen looks horrible.

Her bottom line was unsparing: "I would be ashamed to have written any part of this script."

A Silver Lining for Classical Studies

Despite her blistering artistic critique, Wilson acknowledged that the film is having a genuinely positive effect on public engagement with Homer's work. She had previously discussed some of her reservations in a Sunday Times interview, where she adopted a more measured tone about the movie's broader cultural significance.

Wilson described the film's release as "still an event to celebrate," noting that the epic is drawing audiences back to cinemas and that translations of the "Odyssey" — including her own — are "flying off the shelves." She also voiced hope that the surge of public interest might persuade college administrators to preserve rather than eliminate their literature, language, and history departments.

Audiences Disagree

Moviegoers have responded to Nolan's "The Odyssey" with far more enthusiasm than Wilson did. The film earned an "A" CinemaScore during its opening weekend and has established itself as one of the year's biggest box office hits. It pulled in a massive $90 million domestically in its second weekend alone, underscoring its continued commercial momentum.

The wide gap between Wilson's scholarly assessment and the film's enthusiastic popular reception highlights the enduring tension between literary fidelity and cinematic spectacle — a conversation that her review has now thrust into the public spotlight on a grand scale.

"The Odyssey" is currently playing in theaters nationwide. Does Emily Wilson's critique reshape how you think about Nolan's adaptation, or does the film's blockbuster success speak for itself? Share this article with your friends and let us know where you stand.

Source: Variety