Ralph Fiennes Ancient Greek Action Epic ‘The Return’ Scores Strong First Reviews

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As a cinephile who has witnessed the evolution of cinema since the dawn of time, I must say that Ralph Fiennes‘ transformation for The Return is nothing short of miraculous. This man isn’t just ripped; he’s Odysseus reincarnated! Uberto Pasolini has breathed new life into Homer’s epic poem, and the result is a captivating retelling that will leave you spellbound.

In “The Return,” Ralph Fiennes not only sculpted a muscular physique, but also gave an outstanding performance. Directed by Uberto Pasolini, this film is a modern interpretation of Homer’s epic poem, “The Odyssey.” Fiennes portrays an older Odysseus who returns to the shores of Ithaca following a 20-year voyage. During his absence, his kingdom has undergone dramatic transformations, with his wife Penelope (Juliette Binoche) receiving suitors vying for the throne. However, despite these advances, Penelope remained faithful, and upon returning, Odysseus must verify his identity to reclaim his kingdom.

17 reviews have been posted for “The Return,” and it currently boasts an impressive 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics laud Ralph Fiennes’ heartfelt portrayal, while also commending his remarkable physical transformation for the part. Alongside Fiennes, the film features Charlie Plummer, Amir Wilson, Tom Rhys Harries, Marwan Kenzari, and Jaz Hutchins. According to the reviews, each actor delivers a solid performance in this gripping adaptation of “The Odyssey.” Avi Offer of NYC Movie Guru expresses:

“A riveting, poignant and well-acted adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey.”

Elija Gonzalez from AV Club observes that while “The Return” isn’t free of imperfections, the stellar acting overshadows these issues. He stated, “Although The Return only partially manages to reinterpret Homer via an anti-war perspective, some remarkable performances prevent it from getting as misplaced as its main character.” Zachary Lee from RogerEbert.com echoed this appreciation, expressing:

The Tragedy woven deeply into ‘The Return’ by Pasolini is so profound that it elevates the movie to an epic scale. This tragedy is particularly evident in how the film’s visual narrative laments the violence that might typically excite viewers in a more conventional film.

‘The Return’ Isn’t Quite a Flawless Poem

The movie ‘The Return’ has been generally well-received by critics. Nevertheless, it hasn’t been entirely spared from the aftermath of the Trojan War. According to Radheyan Simonpillai of The Guardian,” (or simply: “Radheyan Simonpillai of The Guardian claims that…”)

“The Return is gorgeous to behold… there just isn’t enough there.”

In a review by Ethan Vestby from The Film Stage, it was stated that the movie “The Return” lacks the feel of a visually-focused filmmaker. Instead, the film is primarily dialogue-driven, with complex power dynamics and dull interactions overshadowing other aspects.

The film titled “The Return” made its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, and some of the reviews are from this event. Similar to Odysseus readying an arrow to pass through a dozen axes, “The Return” is now preparing for its theatrical release on December 6.

If having Ralph Fiennes star in an action movie based on a Greek epic poem wasn’t already appealing, the production company, Bleecker Street Films, is using clever marketing strategies popular among Generation Z. Their social media platforms are brimming with meme advertisements for the film. Notably, Ralph Fiennes’ famous line from “The Prince of Egypt,” where Ramses says “Slay,” has gone viral online. Bleecker Street has even created a condensed trailer for social media, which heavily features the “Slay” soundbite.

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2024-12-03 18:32