Silly Epic Movies
Posted by Tim.
So, now that this thing is in the midst of the Hektor/Achilles duel, I’m reminded how well-executed and compelling these over-wrought big-screen epics can be at certain points. Allow me, if’n y’all would, to put my “classics geek” hat on for a few paragraphs.
“Troy” is a particularly strong example of how recent big-budget epics (I’d include “Gladiator” and the horrible “Alexander” in this same criticism) can get it all wrong. I mean, some of the most wooden performances in the whole film are those of Brad Pitt as Achilles, Orlando Bloom as Paris, and Diane Kruger as Helen, three of the major characters in Homer’s Illiad. I find it somewhat amusing that two of these poorly-delivered lead roles belong to the major box-office eye-candy draws of the whole film.
Then there are the hams, like Brian Cox as Agamemnon; he’s like William Shatner or David Caruso: love ‘em or hate ‘em, they’re just gonna do their thing, man. The best performances are by the relative unknowns: Eric Bana’s Hektor truly deserves the epithet “Tamer of Horses” by really emphasizing the role of reluctant champion, yet dutiful prince and brother. Also, Rose Byrne gives us a wonderfully emotive Briseis, and you gotta love Sean Bean as Odysseus. Finally, with cinematic legends like Peter O’Toole as King Priam and Julie Christie as Thetis, even those characters who are almost like “guest stars” in the ancient epic outshine the major players when it’s translated to the screen.
You could make the argument (and, if I were discussing the epic and not the quality of the actors performances, I would) that it is these supporting characters that really tell the story of the Illiad. I distinctly recall appreciating the story Homer was telling in a much more vivid fashion by trying to see things through the eyes of Hektor and, even better, through the eyes of his wife, Andromache. I would not, however, grant you the argument that a film directed by Wolfgang Peterson was made to work on such a subtle level.
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December 31st, 2005 at 4:53 am Using
mmm, Eric Bana. he’s one of two “reasons” to watch “Blackhawk Down”. points to whomever can figure out my other “reason”.
there were a few moments in LOTR where i cringed at orlando bloom’s acting. but every time i saw him on screen in Troy, it was painful. i think he belongs in films like Pirates of the Carribean. I don’t think he does drama well.
and the whole thing between Briseis and Achilles just pissed me off. it’s been quite awhile since i’ve seen it, but i vaguely recall thinking that her hooking up with him was just stupid. i haven’t read the story – we only did the odyssey in school, and i’ve only translated the aeneid. does this appear in the story? whether it does or not, i don’t like it.
December 31st, 2005 at 10:19 am Using
There was something between Briseis and Achilles in the Illiad, and, depending on the translation you read, it can be emphasized to a greater degree.
That being said, the couple of versions I’m familiar with don’t present their relationship nearly as prominently as the film does. At best, I understood Achilles concern for Briseis as mostly rooted in his concern for being treated with the proper respect by his fellow Greeks (having been taken in a raid, Achilles laid claim to her as a slave; she was his property). She was somewhat of a moderating influence on him, but only in the sense that as long as Agamemnon returned her to Achilles, Achilles’ ego was properly assuaged and he would fight for the Greeks.
One bit of really bad Hollywood-ization: Agamemnon does not die in traditional versions of the Illiad, despite the film’s hackneyed attempt to make him face some poetic justice. He’s a much more compelling character when Odysseus encounters him as an old man coming to terms with his guilt over the losses of the Trojan war as he is faced with his own mortality late in the Odyssey.
December 31st, 2005 at 10:24 am Using
Also, Holly, I’m gonna guess that “reason” #2 for you would be the presence of Ewan McGregor.
How many points do I get?
December 31st, 2005 at 4:27 pm Using
well, i guess i really am that transparent
since it was that easy, 5 points.