Film Review: THE RETURN (2024): A Well-Crafted Homer Adaptation with Fine Acting, Fierce Action and Intense Drama
The Return Review
The Return (2024) Film Review, a movie directed by Uberto Pasolini, written by John Collee, Edward Bond and Uberto Pasolini and starring Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, Charlie Plummer, Marwan Kenzari, Claudio Santamaria, Ángela Molina, Roberto Serpi, Chris Corrigan, Maxim Gallozzi, Francesco Bianchi, Jamie Andrew Cutler, Cosimo Desii, Fabius De Vivo and Ayman Al Aboud.
With The Return, director Uberto Pasolini has crafted a spectacularly produced film version that builds on the closing sections of the story of the epic, The Odyssey, by Homer. This film is commandeered by Ralph Fiennes’ intense performance as Odysseus while Fiennes’ The English Patient co-star, Juliette Binoche, appears with the actor once again in this film as she plays Penelope with fierce intensity.
This film is compelling from the outset as Odysseus appears after a long absence, washing up onto the island of Ithaca naked and hoping to return to his family. The Trojan War separated Odysseus and Penelope, but their strong bond could still be quite intact from afar. As Penelope is dealing with suitors who want to write Odysseus off as dead, the very much alive Odysseus is trying to re-introduce himself back into Penelope’s life which is easier said than done.
Telemachus (a superb Charlie Plummer) is the son of Odysseus and Penelope. Telemachus’ life hangs in the balance as many of the suitors may prefer he is out of the picture altogether as these suitors try to win over Penelope’s affections. As Penelope is in emotional turmoil, Odysseus tries to plan a strategy to return to the family he left behind.
When some suitors find Odysseus in need of attention and care, they show little interest in him as they believe he is just another suitor so they pretty much leave him for dead by throwing him back overboard. Odysseus is a strong character who will not go down so easily as Penelope starts to ponder the thought of Odysseus being alive and she wonders aloud if he murdered or raped anyone in the war at one point. Antinous (Marwan Kenzari) is the man who seems the most ambitious of the suitors and he seeks the attentions of the emotionally devastated Penelope who is torn and unable to move forward with a proper decision regarding the matters at hand.
Eurycleia (a perfect Ángela Molina), a nursemaid, discovers that the mystery man who has appeared is Odysseus but he tells her she must keep it a secret. Eventually, Odysseus appears in front of Penelope and the suitors he must challenge to win back her trust and affection. This all results in a bloody scene where Odysseus puts a bow and arrow to good use as only he could. When the other suitors fail to properly string it, it becomes clear that Odysseus is back and he’s not going down without a fight for the love of his life, Penelope.
Ralph Fiennes is nothing short of magnificent. He is presented with the physically challenging role of Odysseus and handles it with terrific precision like the master thespian that he is. Fiennes may be getting more attention for the recent Conclave but both performances this year that he has done are equally stellar. In fact, I slightly prefer this performance to his excellent work in Conclave. Charlie Plummer more than holds his own beside Fiennes as the son who is stuck in the middle of a very delicate and challenging situation. Plummer’s mastery at playing this character is quite impressive. Plummer and Fiennes’ scenes together are like a well-oiled machine as the two actors embrace the characters they are playing with terrific integrity.
Juliette Binoche is a queen in every way in this movie. She brings complexity and depth to Penelope that only a screen legend like her would be able to. Binoche and Fiennes don’t have a lot of screen time together but their scenes opposite one another are both intimate and full of complexity that makes their characters come to life on-screen. When the blood is washed off Odysseus and is shown in water, it represents the battle that Odysseus has embarked on to keep the love of Penelope that he so desires.
The action scenes, especially the later ones in the film where Odysseus attacks his suitors, are expertly coordinated. The only flaw in the movie may be that some of the suitors feel a bit one-dimensional as they sleep with maids and don’t show the proper respect to Penelope that they think they are entitled to themselves. However, the emotional musical score by the wonderful Rachel Portman adds great depth to the movie that makes it come alive and feel authentic in every possible way.
The Return is a fine rendering of a classic tale. While it’s still open to see if Christopher Nolan will be confronting this exact material with his new project, The Odyssey, it would be wise to catch up with these characters by seeing this brilliantly conceived new film with direction by Pasolini that warrants respect and attention. This movie grabs the viewer right at the outset and doesn’t let go until the end credits roll.
Rating: 8.5/10
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