the more I'm seeing about the Odyssey movie (cant watch it myself yet, mobility impaired and broke), the more I'm truly beginning to think that this movie's biggest flaw was billing itself as The Odyssey. Apparently, the plot is a fascinating, horrific (in a good way), and deeply timely take on the original story. It's also very much NOT the original story, important plot points are missing or twisted beyond recognition, and the props and setting and casting* are anachronistic and random.
So, it changes the setting, casting, plot points and tone and everything else, to send clear and relevant messages. There was already another Odessey adaptation that did that- "O Brother, Where Art Thou". And guess what? It didn't try to claim it was The Odyssey, while making it clear that it was a TAKE on The Odyssey, and its now a classic. It is honest about being a reimagining rather than a page-to-screen depiction. Retellings, reimaginings and general New Takes on old stories aren't anything to be ashamed of, I think the DisneySlopification of the concept of a "reimagined old story" has given the concept an aura of hackiness, fake-woke, and shame that it doesn't deserve. Reimagingings are important and profoundly human. Reimaginings AND accuracy-focused adaptations BOTH are vital to keeping these ancient tales alive and engaging. It would just, imho, be helpful if people knew which to expect when walking into the theatre**
I really think that at least the non-blatantly-racist section of this movie's haters would be enjoying the fuck out of it if it had been more clearly billed as a reimaging/retelling rather than just "The Odyssey The Movie". Maybe that billing existed somewhere, but if so, I never saw it and it seems many others didn't either. If you walk into a coffee shop, order a coffee, and are given an apple cider, its understandable that you'd be upset even if it was the best cider you've ever had.
*too white, to be clear. wayyyyyy too white and too northwest-european. what the fuck is Tom Holland doing here, adapt the Canterbury Tales or something if you want that guy in your movie that bad. ...actually wait hold up, Tom Holland in Chaucer would be awesome????
**or buying a book. HEADLEY. yeah this is not a problem unique to Homer.
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