Character Review: "IS THERE NO ONE ELSE?!"

Rating: 8/10 (10 March 2005)

As a former "Greek geek" follower of ancient mythology, I was anxious to see this film and ready to pick it apart for inaccuracies. In fact, I did spend the first half of the movie doing this (Where are the gods and goddesses, who were so prominent in the Iliad? Where was Cassandra, one of literature's most fascinating and tragic heroines?) But after awhile, I sat back and accepted some one else's interpretation of the legend. If you do the same, you may enjoy this movie, too. Troy was a pleasant surprise and much better than I expected. Here's my review on the main characters and the actors who portrayed them:
ACHILLES: Brad Pitt was really fun to watch as Achilles, not only because of his famously sculpted bod but because he really put more depth into a character who seemed more like a fighting machine in the Iliad. I also liked how the screenwriter made Achilles a mortal (unlike the legend, where he's 95% immortal) so that his actions seemed even more brash and arrogant. The only problem is that movie viewers like to see their heroes go through personal growth, and Achilles doesn't achieve much of this (the writer's fault?) Other than the highly contrived love-interest in Briseis, Achilles doesn't seem very human at all. Highlight: Achilles' first fight, which lasts all of 10 seconds, and his arrogant exclamation: "Is there no one else?!" Final grade: C for character writing, B for acting.
HECTOR: Wow! Eric Bana had far and away the best performance in this film as Hector. Bana gave Hector even more depth and pathos than the character had in the Iliad. Hector is a hero for the ages, a leader whom everyone even today could admire: courageous and strategic, yet compassionate and respectful. Hector actually earns the respect of the audience as the story advances. Highlights: The anguish on his face after he finds out that he killed Patroklus, a boy-warrior too young for battle; the touching moments when he says farewell to everyone he loves to face his inevitable death-fight with Achilles. Final grade: A for character writing, A+ for acting.
Paris: People have complained about Orlando Bloom's Paris as being too much of a wimp. But the fact is, Paris WAS a wimp, and Bloom portrayed him very accurately. My only gripe is the insipid dialogue that he has to carry ("But I LOVE her!") and his lack of chemistry with Helen. Highlight: After he's wounded by Menelaus, the terror and humiliation he shows as he scampers back to hang onto Hector's leg for protection. Final grade: B for character writing, B for acting.
HELEN: Poor casting. Diane Krueger was pretty enough (no matter who was chosen to be Helen, people would still complain about the lack of beauty), but her inexperience as an actress produced a cardboard character. It would have been better to cast a box-office draw (but then, I suppose Nicole and Julia wouldn't be relegated to secondary role). Highlights: None! Final grade: C for character writing, F for acting.
AGAMEMNON: Brian Cox was marvelous, if a little hammy, in the role of the film's chief villain. Even though he over-acted the role, he was always fun to watch. His dose of humor was welcome in an otherwise brutal and tragic story. Highlight: When Paris and Hector approach Agamemnon and Menelaus for a fight, Agamemnon says wryly, "I see you're not hiding behind your high walls. Valiant of you. Ill-advised, but valiant." Final grade: B for character writing, A- for acting.
It's been said that the Iliad (and Aeneid) is utterly unfilmable in today's times, but I believe Wolfgang Peterson did a good job of making this legend appealing for a contemporary audience. The fact is, adding the gods of Mount Olympus would have been silly (imagine a campy 1950's version of this movie!), and it makes the story even more dramatic that the main heroes - namely Achilles and Hector - realize that the gods won't help them and that they are left to their own devices.