Troy (Great)
I love this film. Don’t get me wrong; it isn’t the greatest movie ever made. But I’m just saying that so that you don’t get your hopes up. I hate it when I go to a movie with high expectations. They’re usually dashed. Especially with all of the mediocrity out there these days.
Honestly, this movie is exceptional. I have a few problems with it, but then my wife says I’m pretty cynical. I’ve been trying not to complain as much since receiving that news; ask her how I’m doing on that.
The thing about this movie is that I have no significant complaints. There are some flat spots in the film, but they are small. There is nothing here that drags the film down, and when you match that against the “moments” - the magnificent set-pieces, the grand, history-changing battles, and the deeply moving character interaction, you get a movie that leaves you stunned by the sheer impact.
Despite sporting what could be the silliest looking helmet in epic-movie history, Eric Bana dominates the screen as Hector
Right from the opening scenes you are thrust into an ancient world that has a tangible authenticity to it. I’m no historian, although I sometimes claim to be, but what I’m talking about is the difference between “The Lord of the Rings” series (also fully believable, and one of my favourite movie series of all time) and a time period that is actually part of human history. I’m not going to vouch for the clothing and accents, but what little knowledge I have of ancient Greek culture, obtained through my casual religious studies, I saw reflected in the film. Also, the special effects are so seamlessly integrated into the live action that there is nothing to interrupt your suspension of disbelief. I guess the $175 million they paid to make the film was worth it. I understand that they also enlisted a large number of extras to fill out the vast army formations - there’s nothing like authentic authenticity.
But enough about the mechanics. The story itself is truly epic. Based on Homer’s “The Iliad” [The filmmakers use the words “inspired by”; we actually see story elements from several Greek non-Homeric poetic works], the tale is told of men and their kingdoms, the heroes that fought for them, and the horrors that they all perpetrated and experienced. Many scholars believe that Homer wrote against the awfulness of war. This movie does nothing to glorify it either. While not being completely true to the original story (the war is compressed from 10 years to a few weeks, and many characters are altered to fit the format, as usual), the essence seems to be there. Of course, I’m talking as if I’d read the original. I’m actually still working through “The Odyssey” after seeing “O’ Brother, Where Art Thou.”
The enormous Ajax attempts to obliterate Hector with his axe during a scene in which I gritted my teeth from beginning to end
Most of what makes this movie is the depth in the characters; each are intensely gripping and visceral. I felt strongly for every one, including Agamemnon, despite his being a loathsome, awful brute. The actors are superb in their roles, and even more so when you realize that the dialogue is somewhat lacking. Believe me, you aren’t swept away by their speeches; you are swept away by their lives. Achilles, for example, is portrayed as an anti-hero; I constantly felt pity for him as he railed against what seemed to be an inescapable destiny as a brutally effective warrior. In some ways, his life was not unlike that of you and I as we struggle against our own fallen-ness. Hector, in contrast, is portrayed as supremely honourable and loyal, two traits that will ultimately do him more harm than good.
Don’t let all the hero talk fool you - many people will compare this movie to “Gladiator,” but that is a mistake. This movie is not about one man or woman battling the odds in a one-person crusade; it is about the sweeping struggle of humanity in almost every form - greed, lust, anger, jealousy, pride, conceit, and selfishness.
The spiritual element is an interesting omission. Apparently, the screenwriter wanted to focus more on the human part of the story and didn’t want a fantastic, mood-jarring cut to an old man on top of a mountain hurling lightning bolts down at the earth. The gods are mentioned, but not seen. No judgment is made one way or the other about the ancient Greeks’ philosophy; it is filmed as simply part of their culture, even including their own pragmatists and mystics alike. Normally, overt occultist or just plain ridiculous religious references bother me, but this seems appropriate for the setting. However, it is important to be aware that it is there.
Having said that, one must keep in mind that the story is not based on reality, but on a mythology that is itself based on reality. The characters are all larger than life in true epic fashion. Yet, the charm is that they seem plausibly so. We can identify with something in each of them. Hector is a world-renowned leader, yet he loves his wife tenderly and vulnerably. Achilles can’t find peace, even after the killing stops. Paris is a coward and a fool, but only because he’s a late bloomer and needs a bit more time before he develops his wisdom. Helen is beautiful yet approachable. Priam is wise, yet fallible. What can we say about Agamemnon? He’s just a jerk.
If I was disappointed by anything while watching this movie, it was that it ended. Sure, it was nearly three hours long and my post-2:00am consciousness was rapidly slipping away, but they were three short hours. I left the theater wanting more - more character exposition, more history, more insight into the culture, more on how those who survived the movie went on to live their lives.
This movie is a Greek tragedy. Nothing good comes of war, and this movie really stands behind that. I felt myself rooting for everyone save Agamemnon and Menelaus, and it grieved me to see the inevitable confrontations take place. But because of that, this is a great film. It’s a hard film to watch, but the lesson learned in it is a worthy one, and the emotions that wash over you are those of admiration and respect for those in the movie who lived their lives with honour.
