Before its official release in theaters, Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey has been discussed all around the globe. With its spectacular style and outstanding crew, many aspects of this film has drawn attention however the biggest question for viewers was: why do the characters speak modern English as Americans rather than Greek?
In response to these questions, Nolan has made a statement regarding its choice, explaining that he knew what he was doing.
During the interview about the scandal, the director stated that using the present-day language is apparent and at the same time recorded something else that can be easy for viewers. He confessed that he would not mind to be criticized for his choice and joked that it might cause problems for him in future.
The debate around with how the cast speaks heated up after the trailers from the film were displayed on the internet where the audience heard the characters speaking modern language. The audience expressed their opinion that using English and American accents was a bit strange for the story that originated in Ancient Greece. While some think that characters needed to speak in British accents, others made fun of this film.
Nolan does feel, though, that such expectations are rooted in more Hollywood myth than historical fact, arguing that, in truth, there is no modern accent that can reflect the way people spoke thousands of years ago, hence it is easier to speak in contemporary English to transfer emotionality of the story to the audience.
The highly anticipated film stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, with Tom Holland portraying his son Telemachus. As for the rest of the cast, it is nothing short of an A-list ensemble comprised of actors like Robert Pattinson, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Luptia Nyong’o, and Charlize Theron. The story of the movie is based on Homer’s famous poem and follows the journey of Odysseus as he tries to make his way back home after the Trojan War, encountering many mythical creatures, monsters, and gods on his way.
In spite of an ongoing debate online, the first reviews of the film are very positive. The film is praised for its spectacular visuals in IMAX, touching storyline, and excellent acting, including an outstanding portrayal of Odysseus by Matt Damon.
The Odyssey is to be released on July 17, and it is shaping to be one of the most important movies of the year.
