“For there is nothing better in this world than that man and wife should be of one mind in a house.” Homer’s ancient Greek epic, “Odyssey,” makes its way to the silver screen in The Return.
Fresh off the Toronto International Film Festival 2024, where it world premiered, the ambitious film follows Odysseus (Ralph Fiennes) as he finds himself all washed up on the shores of Ithaca. Having left the kingdom 20 years ago for the Trojan War, his wife and queen, Penelope (Juliette Binoche), has long awaited his return home. A story of a former warrior once revered by the people, Odysseus finally begins his path home, only to be put to a test by his wife to see if he is the mightiest out of all the men who have come to steal his throne.
A story that has lasted through generations, The Return stays true to its classical roots and brings a grounded adaptation that captures the raw grittiness and vulnerability of the Greek epic. Collider’s own Perri Nemiroff had the opportunity to discuss the film with director Uberto Pasolini and cast member Charlie Plummer, who plays Odysseus' son Telemachus, at the Collider interview studio at the Cinema Center at MARBL. The duo discusses how their fear of such intimidating source material drove performances and execution on set and how both Fiennes and Binoche offered both director and co-star something invaluable throughout production.
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