” The Gain” is a rare jewel from Hollywood, a mental theatre with strong understated acting appearances and gorgeous locations. It’s a reimagining of the suitor’s circle at the very end of Homer’s amazing song The Odyssey.  , It seems like a chance to focus on the least magical part of the song, but there is plenty of materials to mine about manhood, mid-life, disappointment, and overcoming oneself.  ,
Ralph Fiennes portrays Odysseus in the movie, and Penelope is played by Juliette Binoche. The pair’s chemistry is perhaps better 30 years after their last appearance in” The English Patient.” Both of their achievements are incredibly captivating and captivating to watch. The film, which is directed by Uberto Pasolini, does a fantastic job of evoking the island’s aura and giving the audience a profound experience of old Ithaca. There are no significant special effects scenes, and you might assume there isn’t enough information in this section of The Odyssey to make a full movie, but Pasolini allows his actors and script to create the necessary tension and drama.
A quick refresher on The Epic: King Odysseus succeeds in the 10-year Trojan War after leaving home with the area of Ithaca’s best people. On his journey house, he and his people endure the destiny of the Gods and an experience full of lights, witches, and a demon. Ithaca was riddled with suitors for his woman, Queen Penelope, while he was absent. The suitors have terrorized the citizens, squatting in his castle, and have run rampant. Penelope is serious in anguish, and Odysseus ‘ 20-year-old son is still immature, failing to protect his family and the area.  ,
The movie opens with Odysseus painfully washing up on Ithaca, fully dressed, ragged, not certain where he is, and surprised to be dead. In this scene, Pasolini uses a full front shot of Fiennes to set the tone and emphasize the significance of the actor’s actual transformation throughout the movie. He manages to appear both as a dejected poor man and as a Marvel hero at the same time. The audience is left to wonder if our hero actually has what it takes to regain what is his.
The suitors are a multi-cultural party from small kingdoms all over the Mediterranean it to get Penelope’s hands and her nation, but after years of Penelope’s stalling, the good men have left. Only the violent males and the crooks remain. They are now killing one another and are losing patience fast. Penelope spends her time grieving by weaving Odysseus ‘ cremation sham as the suitors consume her food and drink her drink, becoming more and more restless each time.
Odysseus just recognizes himself as a man from the Trojan War when he disguises himself as a man. When he realizes that he is on Ithaca, he is beside himself, and Fiennes gives a heart-wrenching natural performance while sprawling on the ground and kissing the world. Without words, he adds depth to the character, but because he is so plainly in charge when he speaks, it’s easy to see why you’re in his element as the viewer.
This video is not an action film, but, when assault erupts it is timely and harsh. A remarkable fight scene highlights the beauty of the locations in their natural setting. Our soldiers climb mountains and rivers to avoid a chase through olive groves while dogs scurry through them. These exterior scenes feature the best photography. Little incidents like Odysseus choosing to visit the castle to see his wife brilliantly drive the pace and tension. Does she acknowledge him? Does she resent him infuriating him? Even if you know the story, every beat also feels new even if you know it’s coming as a spectator.
Most critics portray this movie as anti-war, honoring Odysseus ‘ anguish and PTSD, but I believe that is too deep of a view. The man story is unfortunately a tale of mid-life and self-control. Odysseus went to battle his foes, but he made many errors along the way that cost his men’s lives. While the issue he was supposed to protect crumbled, he violated his wedding vows to nymphs and gods.  , This is a concept some people encounter at mid-life. They give in to what the universe demands, giving up their best interests while also falling short. Ulysses gives the populace a hero but a failure to himself. He was a distant father and husband, failing to raise a worthy son and guard his wife. He’s got one last chance, as Jordan Peterson may say, to wash his chamber.
Hollywood has deliberated about sex for the past ten years. In most Hollywood movies, female characters are typically submissive and “give space” to women who assume the standard adult part of savior. It’s very rare to see a good man on screen, when there is masculinity portrayed it is either from a rogue-like man-child or an evil “alpha male” full of toxic masculinity. In a fallen world,” The Return” avoids this trap and offers an authentic account of what it means to be a man and a woman.
Binoche delivers a strong performance as Penelope, showing matriarchal poise through her political maneuvering. By understanding what these men want and using it to her advantage, she keeps the unruly suitors at bay. She is constantly stumbling for time to save her son’s life, which the suitors will undoubtedly murder at some point. She inquires about her husband and the war when Odysseus and Penelope reunite. She asks him,” Why do men go to war to kill and rape, knowing that war also means rape and murder.” Did you rape”? to which he stares mutely, betraying the answer they both know.
Odysseus ‘ identity is revealed to his old wet nurse by a scar on his leg as the movie nears its conclusion. She challenges him by looking him in the eye and urging him to “kill them all.” The only way to overcome the conflict they have is through Penelope’s detestable violence, and Odysseus must once more rise up and bear the psychic strain of the situation.
