Keswick Film Club - Reviews - The Return

The film shown at last Sunday's Film Club was "The Return", based on "The Odyssey" written 1500 years ago by the Greek poet Homer. But rather than the usual story of battles, gods and monsters of the Greek myths, the film looked just at the final part – the quiet and moving re-union between Odysseus and his wife Penelope.

After 20 years away, Odysseus (Ralph Fiennes) washes up on the shores of Ithaca, haggard and unrecognizable. The King has returned from the Trojan War, not as a conquering hero but a broken man full of guilt over the loss of his army. He finds much has changed in his kingdom. His beloved wife Penelope (Juliette Binoche) is a prisoner in her own palace, besieged by suitors hoping to marry her and to be king. She is angry at his 20 year absence and the futility of men's wars. Odysseus is no longer the mighty warrior from years past, but he must rediscover his strength in order to win back all that he has lost.

The film also marks the first time in thirty years that Fiennes and Binoche have worked together since they memorably starred in "The English Patient". These two give brilliant performances, often with little dialogue, and provide the central strength of the film. The surrounding actors seem pallid next to them and this is not helped by a stilted script and unimaginative direction. The film felt at times that it was in danger of collapsing under the weight of its own portentousness.