"What is the point of asking an expert to review a work of art if we expect their expertise to play second fiddle to their politesse? How boring! There is a very weird expectation of humility when it comes to criticism that does not sit well with my spirit. When was it decided that one needed to be diplomatic and tepid when delivering well-articulated and deeply-researched reviews, pieces that by their very nature are understood to invoke someone’s opinion?" YESSSSSSSSSSSS exactly! Why is every person on the internet allowed to have their take on every single thing but god forbid an educated woman says how she feels with her whole chest? It's HER opinion!
I feel like, after Nolan mentioned in an interview that he read Emily Wilson’s translation of the Odyssey, some people were (maybe unconsciously) expecting her to be grateful to him for „promoting” her work - probably not realizing that she is well regarded in her field and doesn’t seem to aspire to become a celebrity. so now, they are surprised that she dared say anything negative about the movie, I don’t think that element of surprise would be there if Nolan didn’t specifically mention *her translation*
I have definitely seen people saying she's ungrateful and bitter that she wasn't invited to the premiere (based on no evidence other than this review).
YES MY GOD YES. Thank you for this post. I suspect "meanness" would be "expertise" if Emily Wilson were a white man. There's a great interview about how the women in Nolan's film are all flat, which is a very important thing to critique! ("Christopher Nolan's Genius Ends When Women Enter The Frame" on YouTube, Angelica Jade Bastién on The Sam Sanders Podcast)
posts like this are why i will NEVER stop paying for your substack! like! i love a clever and intelligent woman who always seems to have the correct take!
I haven't seen it said outright, but I have a VERY STRONG SUSPICION that people are reacting to "educated woman criticises their favorite manly man director." And that's not a diss at Nolan, I do generally like his movies. But they appeal to a certain kind of intellectual-adjacent dude, and I'm sure that's a contributing factor.
I didn’t get to read her critique, and haven’t finished my read of the original book (pesky 300 pages left) but all the snippets you shared are things I felt when watching the movie too. I think Calypso was probably my least favorite adaptation, and Athena’s lack of witty presence. It’s interesting how particularly social media has made us often think in black and white, good or bad, instead of with nuance. And our response to critique (particularly one of things we might enjoy, which imo can also be a very natural response) is especially telling.
I’ve now watched the movie twice. Isolated, I get what Nolan was trying to do and I largely enjoyed the movie despite agreeing with many criticisms. That my theaters were both times packed with whole male friend groups, however, might be an accurate reflection of Nolan’s lack of handle of female characters.
I am firmly in the camp of "I disagree with Emily Wilson’s criticisms of The Odyssey, but I shall defend unto death my right to not give a damn about it."
"What is the point of asking an expert to review a work of art if we expect their expertise to play second fiddle to their politesse? How boring! There is a very weird expectation of humility when it comes to criticism that does not sit well with my spirit. When was it decided that one needed to be diplomatic and tepid when delivering well-articulated and deeply-researched reviews, pieces that by their very nature are understood to invoke someone’s opinion?" YESSSSSSSSSSSS exactly! Why is every person on the internet allowed to have their take on every single thing but god forbid an educated woman says how she feels with her whole chest? It's HER opinion!
I feel like, after Nolan mentioned in an interview that he read Emily Wilson’s translation of the Odyssey, some people were (maybe unconsciously) expecting her to be grateful to him for „promoting” her work - probably not realizing that she is well regarded in her field and doesn’t seem to aspire to become a celebrity. so now, they are surprised that she dared say anything negative about the movie, I don’t think that element of surprise would be there if Nolan didn’t specifically mention *her translation*
I have definitely seen people saying she's ungrateful and bitter that she wasn't invited to the premiere (based on no evidence other than this review).
YES MY GOD YES. Thank you for this post. I suspect "meanness" would be "expertise" if Emily Wilson were a white man. There's a great interview about how the women in Nolan's film are all flat, which is a very important thing to critique! ("Christopher Nolan's Genius Ends When Women Enter The Frame" on YouTube, Angelica Jade Bastién on The Sam Sanders Podcast)
I saw the Return! It was one of the worst movies I have ever seen, so now I’m curious about Emily Wilson’s praise of it.
it was such a bad film i was aghast the whole time
Mary Beard also pointed to The Return as an example of The Odyssey done well! I haven't seen it so now I am so curious!
Thank you for this reality check on criticism. This is ok! Re: Persuasion, you were nicer than I would have been.
Love this! 💚
"It’s like no one actually read The Secret History" has me cackling.
posts like this are why i will NEVER stop paying for your substack! like! i love a clever and intelligent woman who always seems to have the correct take!
I haven't seen it said outright, but I have a VERY STRONG SUSPICION that people are reacting to "educated woman criticises their favorite manly man director." And that's not a diss at Nolan, I do generally like his movies. But they appeal to a certain kind of intellectual-adjacent dude, and I'm sure that's a contributing factor.
I didn’t get to read her critique, and haven’t finished my read of the original book (pesky 300 pages left) but all the snippets you shared are things I felt when watching the movie too. I think Calypso was probably my least favorite adaptation, and Athena’s lack of witty presence. It’s interesting how particularly social media has made us often think in black and white, good or bad, instead of with nuance. And our response to critique (particularly one of things we might enjoy, which imo can also be a very natural response) is especially telling.
I’ve now watched the movie twice. Isolated, I get what Nolan was trying to do and I largely enjoyed the movie despite agreeing with many criticisms. That my theaters were both times packed with whole male friend groups, however, might be an accurate reflection of Nolan’s lack of handle of female characters.
I am firmly in the camp of "I disagree with Emily Wilson’s criticisms of The Odyssey, but I shall defend unto death my right to not give a damn about it."