Life Through the Lens: When a gift becomes a curse
\\\\\\\'The Odyssey\\\\\\\' (2026), directed by Christopher Nolan
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"You must give yourself to the storm."
You know what I love? OK, OK, enough guessing out there! Let me just tell you...
I love a good piece of symbolism. I know what you are thinking, too: What a sophisticated and textured thing to say, Mr. Moore! I told you that you don't have to call me "Mr. Moore," but I appreciate the flattery.
In reality, you were probably thinking: What a loser, English-teachery thing to say!
I own that. Heck, I am proud of that! I love my dorky side. Here's what I love about symbolism: By saying something so simple and easy, you can communicate something so profound and cosmically attainable. By making something humbly relatable, you can guide the listener into depths previously thought inaccessible. Symbolism is a gateway to endless understanding!
For example: a Trojan horse. Ever heard of it? Sure you have. In Homer's epic, "The Iliad," Odysseus invents and enacts the ruse that ends the 10-year bloody battle. It was his keen mind, not a warrior's huge muscles, that opened the gates of Troy. Odysseus's plan was to use the Greeks' oldest (and most trusted) custom of gracious hospitality, or "xenia." When the Greeks appear to have retreated, the Trojans find a gift awaiting them on the beach - a large wooden horse.
If I've said it once, I've said it a million times: "When life hands you an enormous lumber equine, you politely redecorate your living room." Ask my kids - I say it all the time!
The Trojans have no reason to question the gift; the Greeks, after 10 long years on Trojan soil, are now calling a truce. It is a peace-offering. It is a "sorry-for-killing-all-your-young-men" present. The impenetrable gates of Troy are opened as the symbol is wheeled in.
Under the cover of night, Odysseus and his men, who have been hiding in the unassuming offering, sneak out and butcher the sleeping, defenseless and unprepared Trojans. In their homes, in their comfy jammies, the Trojans are annihilated.
Because history is written by the victors, Odysseus is lauded as a hero ... but the fact remains: He gained triumph by trickery - he slaughtered helpless humans using their honest hospitality.
Since ancient Greece, the phrase "Trojan horse" has become a symbol for deception and destruction against an unwitting host. A famous modern example of the usage is a "Trojan horse virus" - a virus that disguises itself as safe, preying on the trusting clicks of the unprepared. In true Trojan horse style, it cannot invade on its own; it needs to be welcomed in.
The power of a symbolism is thus: A simple phrase invokes centuries of meaning, rich stories and substance at your disposal. Choose your words carefully ... and dear gods, be careful when accepting gifts from strangers!
<<< Now that the Trojan War is finally won, all of the amassed Greek army is beyond desperate to return home to their separate lands. Odysseus (Matt Damon), our hero, longs for Ithaca's shores and the embrace of his family so long removed ... but he does not travel alone. He is graced with many soldiers under his command to have survived the 10-year war, but they are lost and doomed if not aggressively guided. He also carries a dark passenger through the winds and waves: a guilt surpassing expression and without escape. Odysseus's decisions may have won the war, but they have lost him much that cannot be replaced. As one day turns to 100 and the weeks fade into years, Odysseus's resolve is washed by shame. The thought of home is paramount, but the remorse is paralyzing. With each man lost to a cruel fate, the trip becomes a depressing reality: Odysseus will never reach his ancestral sand. Not gonna happen! After 10 years, all hope seems lost, but intervention is introduced, and the wind begins to shift toward reunion and retribution... <<< I taught "The Odyssey" for 13 years, so this is not a normal story to me. It is one that I have memorized, internalized, studied, dissected ... it is one that has become part of me. When the movie was announced in 2024, I was exceedingly excited! Christopher Nolan writing and directing one of my favorite stories ... yes, please! For whatever reason, Hollywood has shied away from this epic masterpiece. I knew it would finally get its due treatment! Flash forward a few years, and it is now a fully-realized vision nearly 3,000 years in the making. As I had hoped, Nolan is the perfect person to truly bring this story to life. His insatiable desire for practical effects is inspiring, innovative and incredible; his refusal to "take the easy way out" makes all the difference. Instead of manufacturing ancient Greece, his team of magicians unearths it. Nolan's imagination and execution are unlike anything Hollywood has ever seen. To make Nolan's creative concepts exist takes a huge team of collaborative artists. Special effects supervisor Scott R. Fisher creates some real movie magic. Cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema seizes every moment and opportunity. Production designer Ruth De Jong is transportive in detail and execution. Supervising location manager Janice Polley found planet Earth's best kept secrets. Costume designer Ellen Mirojnick gave immense thought to the subtle and the bold. Visually, "The Odyssey" was an extraordinary treat! Sonically, the movie was grand. The music by Ludwig Göransson was diverse, decisive and dictated so much of the movie's epic dignity. The sound design by Craig Henighan was majestic and painstakingly sharp. Matt Damon as Odysseus is an inspired choice! He has the grit, that is apparent, but the soul of Damon has always impressed me, as well. He brings to light the internal struggles, the shame and rejection and defeat and pain and lingering hope, with an ease and earnestness that gives the film its depth. Robert Pattinson was interestingly menacing as Antinous, the lead suitor. Tom Holland was OK as Telemachus, the son in turmoil. Anne Hathaway was a worthy opposite as Penelope, the faithful yet heart-sick wife. John Leguizamo was effective as Eumaeus, the trusted servant. Charlize Theron was wonderful as Calypso, the wishful lover. Jon Bernthal was a pleasant surprise as Menelaus, the mentor-king. Samantha Morton was amazing as Circe, the mighty-yet-misunderstood witch. My favorite part is Nolan's script. Although it skips some pieces I would have included and simplifies some of Homer's complexity, Nolan injects this ancient piece with something sorely missing: humanity. Real emotion. Real empathy. Nolan paints a worthy picture of regret. For all the criticism he has received in the past about shallow characterization, I think with "The Odyssey" and "Oppenheimer," he has silenced those critics. "The Odyssey" can be seen now in theaters. See it on the big screen! REPORT CARD: The Odyssey
Grade: A+
Assessment: As epic as it is earnest.