I've seen this movie, read the book, gone back to see the film and find it enjoyable and believable.

Rating: Null/10 (12 June 2004)

I will not comment on many aspects of the film which many viewers have already done. I want to say something about Achilles.
There are many criticisms of Pitt's "bronzed surfer" which I find rather unnecessary and mistaken. In the Iliad, Achilles is described as "god-like in his peerless beauty" which to the ancient greeks included personal valor, fighting skills and physique. Even Priam, after his ransom of his son at Achillles's tent, looked on him and agreed he was "like a god to look at." The greeks had no problem with admiring beauty. Why should we? An important aspect of portraying Achillles is to bring out that beauty and perfection of his physical form. So what's the problem? Achillies is an icon of a very different value system. The ancient greeks loved and prized physical prowess. They hold sporting contests in honor of their dead. We are more likely to dismiss Achilles as a vain body-builder and judging from the comments of many critics, it does seem we are not as comfortable as the greeks in taking delight in the beauty of the human form.
There may have been an excessive desire to sell Pitt's good looks and physique but that's not his fault. As one viewer in these columns had already remarked, someone on the set wanted him to be more Brad Pitt than Achilles. Pitt is a fine actor and is capable of much more if given a chance.
Still, given the limitations, I find his portrayal of Achilles a sensitive and intelligent one. Achilles is usually thought of as only a great warrior, all brawn's and no brains, but there is a deeper more introspective side of him which I'm glad the move has chosen to explore. Achilles knows that man is doomed. In the book, he says to Lyacon "Yes my friend, yo too must die. Why make a song about it?...And look at me. Am I not big and beautiful, the son of a great man, with a goddess for my mother? Yet Death and Sovran Desitny are waiting for me too." In the movie, Achilles says to Patroclus "We men are wretched." In his dreams, he sees all the men he's killed waiting for him on the banks of the river Styx. When he goes out to wrap up Hector's body for Priam, he weeps and says to the dead Hector "We shall meet again soon, my brother." In the face of death, all men are equal.
Even god-like Achilles will die. His knowledge and acceptance of this brings a humility and gentleness to Achilles which lets us love this great warrior more.
In his eagerness for battle and glory, Achilles can be proud and conceited, conscious of his stature as the greatest warrior, seeking for his personal fame at the expense of other's lives. But Pitt's Achilles allows a kind of compassion, a weariness and pity for man's lot to creep in "It's too early in the day for killing princes." when he lets Hector go. Achilles can be cruel and vengeful but he is also capable of understanding Priam's pain, of admiring courage in an adversary and granting honor where it is due (Hector's funeral, after his wrath has dissipated a bit). Achilles knows that every moment is more beautiful because it will not last.
He is brave partly because he has looked death squarely in the eye, unlike our modern-day fear and denial of death. He is a man who dares to say what he thinks and do what he feels, not constrained by the "soldier's obedience". He knows that life is short, bitter and sweet. I feel Pitt has done a good job in portraying such an Achilles.
Is this how Achilles really is? Whose Achilles? Homer's? Peterson's? Pitt's? It doesn't really matter. Homer has given us a great work of art, to help us imagine and understand ourselves a bit more. This film has also done its part in giving us its own words and images. It's not perfect. Nothing is. But even imperfection can satisfy and inspire.