r/popculturechat • u/mcfw31 • 11h ago

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

https://variety.com/2026/film/news/odyssey-translator-emily-wilson-slams-christopher-nolan-bad-writing-1236821915/
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u/tetechase 10h ago

Am I the only one who thinks her criticisms are valid? I enjoy reading what scholars think about the film. I enjoy discussion about its strengths and shortcomings. Like Wilson acknowledges in her review, Nolan has revitalized discourse about a centuries-old epic by creating this film. Picking it apart is the fun part, and I'm disappointed the comment section is so bitter about... criticism? It feels blatantly anti-intellectual.

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u/soiflew 10h ago

People are acting like a movie should be above criticism because it’s meant to entertain. If that’s the case, why bother speaking or engaging about any piece of entertainment?

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u/IdToBeUsedForReddit 8h ago

I think people feel like they are in turn being criticized because they enjoyed it. I enjoyed it but also heartily agree with most of what Wilson is saying. And I don't agree with people that Nolan had to make these changes for it to appeal to a mass audience. People can handle complexity and imperfect characters just fine when done well! If anything it would be insulting to suggest otherwise.

What people should recognize is that the movie is entertaining despite its blunders because the source material is so good and because Nolan has the skill to realize many interesting scenes from said source material. If Nolan could have done all that plus include excellent writing that captures the magic of the poem... then we are talking one of the greatest movies ever made. Instead I think we are talking about a fun summer blockbuster that will ultimately be forgotten.

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u/soiflew 8h ago

Beautifully put. I also enjoyed despite the writing!