The Return

Some may find this film boring. And while the runtime does drag on a few times during the course of the movie, I didn't find it as lacklustre as I thought it might be. This is mostly due to the two great lead performances by Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche, reunited after almost thirty years (Their last picture together was the Oscar-winning film The English Patient in 1996).

I'm not at all familiar with Greek myths, as there are so many of them, it's hard to keep track. But this particular story focuses solely on the last part of Odysseus's story, when he is washed up, broken, scarred and a shadow of his former self after the war of Troy. His wife Penelope, who has been pressured by annoying, leery men into marrying them, cannot recognise her husband. Not necessarily because he looks physically different, but because of the atrocities he committed while he was away. And the question of whether the sacrifices his homeland made was worth it for war.

It focuses on the timeless story of men returning back home from the horrors of warfare, only to find that their home no longer wants them, and they cannot escape their soldier's life. Such is the situation for many veterans suffering from PTSD.

But it also offers a glimmer of hope to start again. And I have no problem with quieter movies as long as they offer good themes and realistic characterizations. We don't always need CGI monsters and big battles to keep us hooked.

This screen adaption of the Odyssey - or rather just the part of it - is a modern take and is rather good.

Both Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche are excellent, as is to be expected, and they are supported by a good cast. Charlie Plummer, in the role of Odysseus and Penelope's son, is equally good.

What stands out most from this short and low budget film is how good it is: Fiennes portrays Odysseus with PTSD with utter believability, and it makes you wonder (though you already know) what really happened to his men after the war.

The fights are also well choreographed, without many of the quick edits that hide an actor's lack of skill. In fact, Fiennes is so fit that that even the edited actions (with the bow) are believable. I wouldn't be surprised if he really did learn how to use it.

Even if you've never read the Iliad or the Odyssey, watching this movie might pique your interest in these classics.

While watching the trailers for Gladiator II, this film was teased. That was certainly the best part of the Gladiator II experience. What I was expecting to see from the teaser was not what I experienced, and that was wonderful. I was expecting, simply, a modern play of the third act of the Odyssey with some great modern actors. Instead, I was treated to a thought-provoking exploration of many difficult topics involved in the human experience. They just so happened to find their home in Odysseus's return home at the end of the Odyssey. This film comes across as a passion project of the lead actor and producer. I would love to look into the story of the making and funding of this project. This movie was not at all what I was expecting but found it to be a real treat and left me and my viewing companion discussing the different themes and meanings. The cinematography is where this film shines.

While some have complained of the lack of action and slow progress, I though Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche did a wonderful job of portraying an older couple grappling with distance and war.

Ralph Fiennes embodied a man exhausted from both war and his return. He returns from a lengthy war only to be welcomed back by another one in his own home. He's a man ready to live a peaceful life but with a whole new enemy at his gates that he doesn't want and isn't ready to face.

His wife had been ever faithful and longing but you can see the hope dwindling from her eyes as each day passes. Her fear for her son has filled him with resentment as he struggles with his own identity.

It's only when they're all together again at the end that we wish to see their joy at being reunited. Instead we're met with anger, resentment, and exhaustion.

While not the ending audiences would've wanted, it portrays a realistic look at what a family torn apart by war experiences upon the soldiers return. Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche exceed expectations as Odysseus and Penelope, capturing the emotions of a war torn couple with elegance and finesse.

The Odyssey has been adapted many times, often focusing on the fantasy and adventure elements of Odysseus' journey. This is not one of those. Starting off when Odysseus lands home on his native island kingdom, the film deals with Odysseus' inner journey of wrestling with his guilt, anxiety, PTSD, and longing to reconnect with his family after being away for 20 years. Fiennes and Binoche are superb individually and enthralling when together on the screen. Watch for their eyes, so much is said with them alone. Don't believe the low ratings, this is a fine adaptation of the deeper and human parts of The Odyssey. Not for those expecting a fast action flick.