The Return (15)

A retelling by Uberto Pasolini (Still Life) of the return of Odysseus (Ralph Fiennes) to Ithaca pivots on the hero’s inner state of being.

After 20 years of war and adventure, Odysseus’s homecoming is far from peaceful. He is ageing, haggard and drained, a shadow of his former wily self. His wife, Penelope (Juliette Binoche), whom he is unable to immediately face, is held prisoner by suitors vying to be king and his son faces death at their hands.To win back his family, his kingdom and his self-respect, Odysseus must rediscover his strength. Eschewing fantasy elements of sirens and Cyclops, the performances of Fiennes and Binoche are key, enhanced by ravishing cinematography that renders the film simply gorgeous to look at.