The Odyssey. Odysseus embarks on his own journey back home after fighting in the Trojan War. Writer/director Christopher Nolan has made a visually and aurally stunning, but emotionally hollow action adventure that suffers from style over substance. Beyond a reasonable doubt, a lot of work, money, talent and thought was put into the production design, costume designs, cinematography, sound design and visual effects which make for a visceral Spectacle for the audience's eyes and ears. But what about their heart, mind and soul? What about the characters' heart, mind and soul? There aren't enough scenes that breathe life into the characters or flesh out their relationships, especially the key relationship between Penelope and her long-lost husband, Odysseus.
Writer/director Christopher Nolan seems like he's more interested in moving on to the next obstacle in the separate journeys of Telemachus and Odysseus rather to slow down a bit to allow the audience to peer into their heart, mind and soul for a change. It also doesn't help that the dialogue sounds clunky at times, e.g. when someone observes that they just fight a monster after a battle with the monster. That line is an insult to the audience's intelligence because even those with short attention spans can clearly notice that it's a monster, so why state the obvious and be redundant? Nolan doesn't shy away from showing grotesque, surreal and even scary images that occasionally invigorate the film while adding physical grit, but they're not enough to compensate for lack of emotional substance. That said, the third act has the most rousing and exciting scene in the entire film, but, by then, it's too little, too late. The few attempts to incorporate much-needed comic relief barely elicit a chuckle. To be fair, though, comedy isn't among Nolan's strengths, so maybe that's a blessing that he didn't try to include more comic relief.
Samantha Morton deserves an Oscar for her raw and emotionally resonating performance as Circe. The film's modicum of emotional poignancy comes from her more than from any of the other actors and actresses on-screen. If only she were to have more screen time, but at least she makes the most out of her supporting role. Anne Hathaway gives a hammy performance in scenes that feel maudlin more often than not. Matt Damon and Tom Holland give decent albeit unremarkable performances as do Robert Pattinson, John Leguizamo, Lupita Nyong'o, Mia Goth and Charlize Theron. For a more genuinely heartfelt and well-acted adaptation of Homer's The Odyssey, please see the superior and underseen film The Return starring Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, and Charlie Plummer. At a running time of 2 hour and 52 minutes, it opens nationwide via Universal Pictures.
Number of times I checked my watch: 3
Summer Tour is a mildly engaging, well-shot and breezy, but ultimately underwhelming and undercooked documentary about Jerry and his girlfriend Annie, two Deadheads among many who tour the US in their minivan while attending Dead & Company concerts along the way. Director Mischa Richter films them without prying too much into their private lives. You do learn, however, what draws them to the music of The Grateful Dead, why they take psychedelics and why they have chosen to live a hippie lifestyle. Audiences looking for profound insights, inspiration or revelations will be disappointed. Summer Tour manages to be a slight documentary, but it's nonetheless laidback and relaxing enough to be a harmless counterprogramming palate cleanser, especially after watching The Odyssey, a very different kind of journey. At a running time of 1 hour and 20 minutes, it opens at IFC Center via Utopia.
Number of times I checked my watch: 2
