Christopher Nolan's new film "The Odyssey" has unveiled itself, recording the highest score in Nolan's 30-year career while an overwhelming chorus of Oscar praise for the actors is pouring in.
On the 18th (Korean time), foreign media reported that Nolan's three-hour fantasy epic "The Odyssey" recorded a freshness score of 96% on the global film review site Rotten Tomatoes amid critics' wholehearted support, foreshadowing a runaway at the box office. This surpasses Nolan's representative work "The Dark Knight" (94%) and is the highest figure in his filmography.
In a film packed with formidable top stars, the undisputed centerpiece receiving the hottest spotlight is Anne Hathaway, who plays the female lead "Penelope." Local critic Eric Davis lavished praise on Hathaway's performance, saying "it is unbelievably great," and major outlets also said "one of the best performances of Hathaway's career" and "a powerful, complex masterful performance that emits immense love even amid emotions of sorrow, abandonment, anger and fading hope," strongly predicting an Academy Award nomination.
In addition to Matt Damon, who received praise for delivering the performance of his life as Odysseus, another scene-stealer turned the theaters upside down. It was Elliot Page, who plays Odysseus's cousin "Sinon."
When news broke that Elliot Page, a transgender man with a 155 cm (5 feet 1 inch) frame, had been cast as a fierce Greek warrior, conservative film fans online fiercely reacted and left malicious comments, sparking controversy. But in the unveiled film, Elliot Page demolished prejudice with a short but intense twist performance that captivated critics. Critic Nina Starner said, "To the haters and those trapped by prejudice, I am pleased to say: Elliot Page was truly sublime and wondrous in this film," praising his flawless acting.
Earlier, there was backlash and controversy over "diversity" due to the casting of a range of actors of color such as Lupita Nyong'o, Zendaya and rapper Travis Scott, but "The Odyssey," once revealed, swept critics with overwhelming artistic merit. Daily Mail critic Brian Viner gave it a five-star rating, saying, "Led by Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron and Zendaya, this film is a triumph of filmmaking and storytelling and a glorious visual experience. Three hours are not at all boring; one viewing is not enough." Variety's Guy Lodge also praised it, saying, "It thoroughly and solidly interprets Homer's original while preserving the craftsmanship of classic cinema."
Under the direction of maestro Christopher Nolan, the chemistry between Matt Damon (Odysseus) and Anne Hathaway (Penelope), and the presence of Tom Holland (son Telemachos), Zendaya (goddess Athena), Robert Pattinson (villain Antinoos), Charlize Theron (Calypso) and others that make the heart race simply by their names complete an unprecedented 'old-timer & top-star universe,' and the world is watching closely to see what kind of blockbuster milestone this film will set at the box office.
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