British American classicist Emily Wilson gained attention in 2017 for her translation of Homer’s masterpiece, “The Odyssey,” becoming the first woman to translate the ancient Greek epic into English. Director Christopher Nolan found inspiration in Wilson’s work for his recent film adaptation of “The Odyssey.” Despite the movie’s success at the box office, Wilson expressed mixed feelings about Nolan’s interpretation in a new essay published in the London Review of Books.
In her critique, Wilson, a classical studies professor at the University of Pennsylvania, commended the entertainment value of Nolan’s film, attributing it to the original source material’s strength. However, she pointed out shortcomings in the narrative and emotional depth, likening the film’s substance to a superficial fireworks display lacking a cohesive message or character development.
Wilson’s essay highlighted the lack of chemistry and depth between the main characters in Nolan’s adaptation, criticizing the portrayal of Odysseus and Penelope, played by Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway. She also questioned the film’s moral inconsistencies, such as the contrasting depictions of defiance against the gods by different characters.
Moreover, Wilson criticized Nolan’s choice to film parts of the movie in the Moroccan-occupied territory of Western Sahara, which she believed normalized violence against the indigenous Sahrawi people. Both Wilson and Nolan faced backlash, particularly from right-wing critics who accused them of deviating from the original text for political reasons.
Addressing the controversy surrounding her translation, Wilson defended her choice of the phrase “Tell me about a complicated man,” emphasizing its evocative nature and meter constraints. Despite the criticisms, Wilson acknowledged the film’s potential to generate interest in ancient Greek literature and humanities, recognizing its role in promoting literary engagement and sparking discussions about classical texts.