The literary world is currently caught in a public clash over Christopher Nolan's film adaptation of The Odyssey. Author Susan Orlean is the latest to join the debate, describing translator Emily Wilson as being a bit of a jerk. This follows a previous critique from Joyce Carol Oates, who also pushed back against Wilson's harsh review of the blockbuster film.
Wilson, whose own translation of Homer's epic saw a significant surge in sales after Nolan spoke highly of it in early interviews, penned a lengthy critique in the London Review of Books. She described the film as a project lacking depth and criticized the narrative structure, calling it a dud for academics. The review went viral to the point that it temporarily crashed the publication's website.
While Orlean and Oates defend the film and argue that Wilson’s tone is unfair given her earlier ties to the project, Wilson stands by her role as a critic. She insists that reviewing art is a standard part of the process and not a personal attack. She notes that criticism remains distinct from mere praise or dislike.
In the wake of the controversy, Wilson has acknowledged one specific area of regret. She expressed second thoughts regarding her analysis of the film’s race-neutral casting, admitting that while she still believes the production under-utilized its cast, she handled that portion of her critique poorly. As the debate continues, it highlights the friction between academic scrutiny and popular cinema.