Emily Wilson, known for her translation of The Odyssey, published a critical review of Christopher Nolan's film adaptation in the London Review of Books. She expressed shame over parts of the script while acknowledging some entertainment value.
Wilson noted that Nolan cited her translation in interviews but said she would be ashamed to have written any part of the script. She described the $250 million film as an entertaining spectacle suitable for families but lacking narrative and emotional depth.
The scholar praised Nolan's use of the story-within-a-story structure but faulted the simplified characters. She said Matt Damon's Odysseus is motivated by anxiety and guilt rather than wit, and Anne Hathaway's Penelope has little to do in the script.
Wilson also objected to the film's values, which contradict Homer's poem, and the decision to film in Western Sahara. She called Robert Pattinson's performance as Antinous Oscar-worthy and noted the release brings audiences back to cinemas.
