Achilles and Patroclus?

Rating: 8/10 (26 June 2005)

I did enjoy this movie, but what I found disturbing is the change made to the relationship of Achilles and Patroclus. And since the screenwriter has Achilles directly quoting Homer's lines from the Iliad in some instances I find it odd that it was opted to make the two men "cousins." Other 'historical' facts can be debated I suppose - and of course there is no true historical documents existing - but what is clear from Homer's time is that Achilles and Patroclus are close - very close - companions. It is implied, in fact, that they were lovers. In the Iliad Patroclus' pleads with Achilles that their bones be buried together. (Later literary references to the relationship make it even more implied that Achilles was gay, but I'll stick with Homer's implications for this movie.) Being gay, it was disturbing enough to have a movie about Alexander the Great distorting his lifestyle - but now Achilles? That being said - I enjoyed the movie and could overlook many of its flaws. But the deliberate distortion of Achilles' relationship left me offended and saddened that it took thousands of years but someone decides they are 'cousins' and that distortion is now forever committed to film...sad.