It's about time I unpacked my complicated relationship with Greek heritage, Greek deities, and my personal pagan practice. "The Odyssey" will help me do just that
Greece is the first thing that my then-new husband Claus shared with me many years ago. His childhood was filled with drives to Greece from Austria in a tiny car packed with a family of six, camping along the way. His father had a passion for Greece and her history, a passion he shared with his family.
On my favorite holidays to Greece we took ferries to Ios or other small isles and spending long, sunny days exploring the rocky beaches, ruins, and historic places. We liked the rustic way, though we did take a local ferry to Santorini a few times. Athens was a favorite too. I still have a pamphlet somewhere about the need for the return of the "Elgin Marbles" to the summit of Athens, which has, for a few decades now, had a well-designed facility in which to display and preserve the missing treasures. I did visit the looted pieces in London, though it was a sad visit, as those parts are decades past due for repatriation.
I haven't seen the film and am reluctant to see something about Greece that is not by Greeks, unless you consider the original author. But as it has become a pop culture phenomenon, I will probably get around to it.
Damon works for what Nolan is trying to do. Homer’s Odysseus is incredibly clever, in fact he’s too clever for his own good which is why he winds up in his predicament. Nolan’s Odysseus is way more conflicted about what he’s done, and is mired in self-flagellation because of it, and that’s kinda Nolan’s classic M.O. for his protagonists. Damon is believable physically as Odysseus, and insofar as this is a classic “sword and sandals” flick, Damon holds up well to the task. If you’re not bringing a bunch of baggage into it, it’s a fun, entertaining film, and the 3 hours goes fast. From an acting perspective, Robert Pattinson as the slimy suitor to Penelope is the real
standout. Uncanny and dare I say it, Oscar-worthy.
As a fellow Greek diaspora woman, thank you for this piece.
Greece is the first thing that my then-new husband Claus shared with me many years ago. His childhood was filled with drives to Greece from Austria in a tiny car packed with a family of six, camping along the way. His father had a passion for Greece and her history, a passion he shared with his family.
On my favorite holidays to Greece we took ferries to Ios or other small isles and spending long, sunny days exploring the rocky beaches, ruins, and historic places. We liked the rustic way, though we did take a local ferry to Santorini a few times. Athens was a favorite too. I still have a pamphlet somewhere about the need for the return of the "Elgin Marbles" to the summit of Athens, which has, for a few decades now, had a well-designed facility in which to display and preserve the missing treasures. I did visit the looted pieces in London, though it was a sad visit, as those parts are decades past due for repatriation.
I haven't seen the film and am reluctant to see something about Greece that is not by Greeks, unless you consider the original author. But as it has become a pop culture phenomenon, I will probably get around to it.
Heh heh, I'm the opposite, a gal of Norse and Celtic heritage who was inexplicably tapped by the Gods of Greece.
I just can't do Matt Daimon as Odysseus. I'll watch it eventually, I guess, but I'm not excited about it.
Damon works for what Nolan is trying to do. Homer’s Odysseus is incredibly clever, in fact he’s too clever for his own good which is why he winds up in his predicament. Nolan’s Odysseus is way more conflicted about what he’s done, and is mired in self-flagellation because of it, and that’s kinda Nolan’s classic M.O. for his protagonists. Damon is believable physically as Odysseus, and insofar as this is a classic “sword and sandals” flick, Damon holds up well to the task. If you’re not bringing a bunch of baggage into it, it’s a fun, entertaining film, and the 3 hours goes fast. From an acting perspective, Robert Pattinson as the slimy suitor to Penelope is the real
standout. Uncanny and dare I say it, Oscar-worthy.
We saw it and liked it!