The Odyssey

The war itself lasted a decade, and then another decade passed, during which time he and his crew encountered many otherworldly and natural obstacles.

Mind you, that didn’t include his wife, Penelope (Anne Hathaway), nor their son, Telemachus (who was a newborn when Odysseus left).

They were forced to contend with unruly suitors looking for Penelope’s hand in marriage, including the persistent Antinous (Robert Pattinson).

Penelope used delaying tactics to try to keep them at bay, while, against his mother’s wishes, Telemachus (Tom Holland) set out in search of his father. 

Also staying loyal to Odysseus was blind courtier Eumaeus (John Leguizamo), Telemachus’ mentor, who is readily dismissed by the suitors.

With spectacular visuals, evocative costuming and an arresting soundtrack, The Odyssey is undoubtedly one of the films of the year. 

Damon brings his fine acting chops to bear in a defining performance as Odysseus.

Hathaway is earnest as his long-suffering wife Penelope.

Holland plays Telemachus as wet behind the ears, who grows in stature.

There is a judgmental quality about Zendaya as the god Athena.

Among others cast is Lupita Nyong’o, who plays Helen of Troy and her half-sister Clytemnestra.

Central to Nolan’s three-hour tale are two interconnected themes.

The second is homecoming, which is a voyage of return, necessitating trials that test character (a spiritual rebirth, if you will). 

The filmmakers scoured the globe looking for appropriate settings to shoot the picture.

They included Italy, Malta, Morocco, Iceland, Greece and Scotland.

Also noteworthy is the most impressive giant Trojan horse that forms the centrepiece of the siege of Troy. 

While The Odyssey requires concentration to follow all the threads (the interconnected parts and the characters thereof), it is well worth the effort.

I had the good fortune to see the film in an IMAX cinema and, if possible, that is the way to go.