Despite inspiring Christopher Nolan’s adaptation, acclaimed classicist Emily Wilson says the blockbuster fails to capture the emotional and intellectual depth of Homer’s epic.

Emily Wilson, the acclaimed classicist whose 2017 English translation of The Odyssey was cited by filmmaker Christopher Nolan during the promotion of his latest film, has sharply criticized the blockbuster adaptation, calling it emotionally hollow and lacking the depth that made Homer’s epic timeless.

In an essay published by the London Review of Books, Wilson argued that Nolan’s film relies on spectacle rather than substance. While acknowledging its impressive visual scale, she described the adaptation as a blend of “grandiosity and superficiality,” saying its characters are too underdeveloped to support the ambitious ideas the film attempts to explore.

According to Wilson, the movie fails to meaningfully address central themes found in Homer’s original work, including time, memory, war, history, and the consequences of a warrior’s return. She argued that the film lacks psychological, emotional, political, and ethical complexity, while also criticizing its narrative structure, dialogue, and character motivations. Wilson even joked that “all the food looks horrible,” underscoring her disappointment with the production.

Wilson also referenced Nolan’s admiration for the opening line of her translation—”Tell me about a complicated man”—but said she would “be ashamed to have written any part of this script,” describing the screenplay as fundamentally weak.

In a separate interview with The Sunday Times, Wilson expanded on her criticism, saying the film failed to resonate with her emotionally because, unlike Homer’s poem, it was “not very well written.” She questioned whether audiences were given enough reason to care about the protagonist’s journey home, arguing that the characters never develop the emotional depth found in the original epic.

Despite her criticism, Wilson acknowledged the film’s positive cultural impact. She praised The Odyssey for drawing audiences back to cinemas and sparking renewed interest in classical literature. Sales of Homer’s Odyssey, including Wilson’s own translation, have increased following the film’s release, and she expressed hope that the renewed attention could encourage universities to continue supporting literature, language, and history programs.

While firmly rejecting Nolan’s interpretation, Wilson concluded on a conciliatory note, saying the filmmaker is ultimately encouraging more people to read. “Nolan is doing his best to get the general public reading again,” she said. “I am grateful.”

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/