This is an Odyssey for people who were weaned on network TV and are incapable of reading. Director Konchalovskiy is, apparently, one such person, given the way he utterly eschews any subtlety or nuance, overloading every scene with sweeping, syrupy music that insists you _feel_ very deeply what he insists you feel, as well as over-the-top special effects and scenery-chewing from nearly every actor.
Armand Assante is, of course, incapable of anything but scenery-chewing, as are most of his fellow cast members. It's as if Konchalovskiy said "OK, now everybody turn it up to eleven!" Homer's epic story is rendered "super-ultra-mega-epic!" for TV. Every plot turn, every character, has to be introduced with declamation or voice-over. Bereft of anything but Hollywood blather, this is a pathetic waste of money and effort.
Save your time and read the original story.
Armand Assante is, of course, incapable of anything but scenery-chewing, as are most of his fellow cast members. It's as if Konchalovskiy said "OK, now everybody turn it up to eleven!" Homer's epic story is rendered "super-ultra-mega-epic!" for TV. Every plot turn, every character, has to be introduced with declamation or voice-over. Bereft of anything but Hollywood blather, this is a pathetic waste of money and effort.
Save your time and read the original story.