Achilles to Briseis: “I will tell you a secret- something they don’t teach you in your temple. The gods envy us. They envy us because we’re mortal, because any moment might be our last. Everything is more beautiful because we are doomed. You will never be lovelier than you are now, and we will never be here again.”
Obviously, I have not seen every movie produced in the last 30 years, but this one has to be among the best of the best.
Some scholars believe the Iliad and the Odyssey to be the first-ever anti-war message, and that conclusion has validity.
If there are any legitimate knocks on this movie, one could say that it was historically inaccurate or that literary license was taken to alter the original story. For example, it is believed that the Trojan War lasted approximately ten years. The movie portrays it as lasting a matter of weeks. Further, in the original text, King Menelaus did not die at Troy. These are small matters however, when contrasted with the story within the story and the sheer brilliance of this production.
First of all, the directing, cinematography special effects, and acting are (combined) as good as any movie I have ever seen. Peter O’Toole again shows why he is among the best ever. Brad Pitt and Eric Bana give genius performances, as do the supporting cast members- particularly Sean Bean as Odysseus.
The writer and director did a particularly good job here in using contrast…there is the selfish love of Paris and Helen, the selfless love of Achilles and Briseis. Then there is the contrast between Hector, a tolerant warrior who, beneath his armor is a prince of peace, and Achilles, a killing machine who fights for rage and glory.
Since “Troy” came out nearly seven years ago, it is safe to assume that any and all with a desire to watch it have done so; but I can say this, you do yourself no favors by passing this one up.
