‘The Odyssey’ Translator Emily Wilson Slams Christoper Nolan’s ‘Abysmal’ Screenplay: ‘I Would Be Ashamed to Have Written Any Part of This Script’ - Variety

What the report says

Variety reported that classicist and translator Emily Wilson has sharply criticized Christopher Nolan’s film adaptation of “The Odyssey,” despite Nolan previously citing her 2017 translation of Homer’s epic as an influence. In a negative review for the London Review of Books, noted by Variety via The Guardian, Wilson argued that the movie falls short in its treatment of character, ideas and the source material’s deeper themes.

Wilson, a professor of classical studies at the University of Pennsylvania, said Nolan’s version lacks depth in areas such as psychology, emotion, politics and ethics, and faulted its narrative choices and character motivation. Variety noted that Nolan had praised Wilson’s rendering of the poem during promotion for the film, including her description of Odysseus as “a complicated man,” which he said helped shape Matt Damon’s portrayal.

The criticism is notable because Wilson’s translation was widely discussed after its publication and has become a prominent modern English version of “The Odyssey.” While she strongly objected to the screenplay, Variety also reported that Wilson has acknowledged the film’s broader cultural effect, saying its release has renewed public attention to Homer and boosted interest in translations, including her own.

Audience response appears to be more favorable than Wilson’s assessment. According to Variety, the film earned an “A” CinemaScore during its opening weekend and has become a major box-office performer, including a $90 million second domestic weekend. “The Odyssey” is currently playing in theaters nationwide.