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THE RETURN

Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, Charlie Plummer, Marwan Kenzari, Tom Rhys Harries, Amir Wilson, Ángela Molina, Jaz Hutchins, Moe Bar-El, and Claudio Santamaria
Director: Uberto Pasolini

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NICK

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In the annals of classic literature, Homer's Odyssey has long been a favourite of mine. This iteration takes a more measured approach as it becomes a character study on Odysseus' (Ralph Fiennes) remorse and fear as much as his return. It’s a directorial decision by Uberto Pasolini that works thanks to Fiennes’ reserved take on the character. He embodies the tragedy of this story as he reluctantly comes to terms with his actions past and present. Although the bloodshed comes, The Return never revels in it, which may limit the thrills, but tells an introspective version of a story told many times before.

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KATIE

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The Return is a thoughtful yet unflinching take on Homer's Odyssey. It’s a character-driven tale focusing on Odysseus (Ralph Fiennes) as a broken man harbouring the physical and mental load of his experiences at war, gathering the strength to face his family again. Everything about it feels toned down, from the omission of gods and monsters from the story to the restrained performances and uncomplicated style of the set design and costuming. Fiennes is both understated and impressively physical, and he and Juliette Binoche are very compelling together, but I found the runtime dragged when either one of them was not present.

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QUENTIN

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As far as historical literary adaptations go, I’m not sure I’ve seen one more stripped down and minimalist than The Return. Unfortunately, that’s not a compliment. Based on books 13-24 of Homer’s Odyssey, this movie is a slow-moving bore that feels like several of the Biblical movies of yesteryear. The sound design, camera shots, costuming, and overall production just come across as incredibly dated. A shredded Ralph Fiennes is typically good, and I admit it picks up in the last 30 minutes with the “Slaying of the Suitors,” but by the time that arrived, I was already checked out of this non-epic epic.

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