The Return  (15) |Close-Up Film Review

Dramatic filming of the story of Odysseus‘s return to his wife, Penelope and son, Telemachus after 20 years away. Beautifully filmed with superb acting from the main stars, the movie gives us an excellent retelling of the last sections of Homer’s epic poem.  But in spite of the quality of the film, I fear it will only appeal to a minority as it is such a niche film.

We see Penelope (Juliette Binoche) waiting for her husband to return. She has a number of suitors who are urging her to choose a new husband and King as they insist that Odysseus is obviously dead. She makes excuses but promises that very soon she will decide who to marry again. 

Meanwhile, Odysseus (Ralph Fiennes)finds himself washed up on the shores of Ithaca where he used to be King. He is unrecognisable as he looks like a beggar with much unkempt hair and a straggly beard. Neither his son Telemachus (Charlie Plummer), who was just a child when his father left, nor his mother recognise Odysseus when he turns up at the palace. Only his hunting dog sniffs him out. When she washes Odysseus, the old nurse recognises his scar and knows who he is, but the king makes her swear to silence.

Most of the suitors are really nasty and taunt the ‘beggar.’ Odysseus has to use his strength and expertise to show that he is someone special and worthy of being King and husband to Penelope.

Fiennes gives a strong performance as Odysseus , showing both his vulnerability when he fears he might lose his wife and his strength as a warrior. Good performance, too, by Plummer who is angry that his father left his family for such a long time but has to come to terms with understanding his father‘s affection for him and the great love between his mother and father.

Binoche is outstanding as the wife who has waited such a very long time for her husband to return, but finds it difficult when she first encounters him. She has a very expressive face, and we see in her eyes her gradual recognition of her husband. They both realise that they will have to work to rebuild their relationship and try to reignite the passion they once had.

 There is a lot of blood around at the end of the film.  Good cinematography and use of light in the background countryside and sensitive direction by Pasolini makes this a film that is well worth a view.