The Reel Review
The classic Greek epic Odysseus, about the warrior king who returns home to his family and an almost unrecognizable homeland of Ithaca after two decades of war, is retold in this historical drama starring Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche and Charlie Plummer.
Visually, the scenery is gorgeous with plenty of buffed, scantily-clad suitors frustrated at the lengthy 20-year wait Queen Penelope has had them endure and wanting to kill her son Telemachus (Plummer). The often fully-nude Fiennes returns only to realize, at least initially, that no one recognizes him, except his faithful dog who’d been patiently waiting for his return all these years. Aided by a kindhearted pig farmer Melanthius, Odysseus plots his return to the throne.
If only Italian director Uberto Pasolini had spent as much time on the screenplay he co-wrote with John Collee and Edward Bond as he did the stunning visuals of the Greek coast and excellent performances from Fiennes and Binoche. The slow-moving story, about the physical and emotional toll war takes on everyone, is a real slog to get through, but for those with the patience, The Return ends with an immensely satisfying (yet predictable) finale, when Odysseus gives his loathsome wannabe successors what’s coming to them.
REEL FACTS
• The Return marks an onscreen return for Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche after their last two films together, 1992’s Wuthering Heights and 1996’s The English Patient.
• Uberto Pasolini’s directing credits include 2020’s Nowhere Special, 2013’s Still Life and 2008’s Machan.
• The Return was filmed on the Greek isle of Corfu and the Peloponnese peninsula, where Chlemoutsi Castle served as the Palace of Odysseus.
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