The Return Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

After a 20-year beach trip, a guy comes home to find his palace overrun by freeloaders trying to marry his wife, so he has to awkwardly remember how to fight before cleaning house.

🍿 The Return: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A King’s Unrecognizable Return

After two decades away fighting in the Trojan War, Odysseus washes ashore on his home island of Ithaca. Scarred both physically and psychologically by his experiences, he is a shadow of the warrior-king who left years ago. His return is met with disbelief, as he is unrecognizable to almost everyone.

Ithaca Under Siege

In Odysseus’s absence, his palace has been taken over by a mob of arrogant suitors vying for the hand of his wife, Penelope, and the throne of Ithaca. They pressure Penelope relentlessly to choose a new husband, while also threatening their son, Telemachus, who is seen as a rival. Penelope employs delaying tactics, like the weaving of a shroud, to hold them off.

Finding Allies and Facing the Past

Washed up and alone, Odysseus is found and taken in by the loyal swineherd Eumaeus. Disguised as a beggar, Odysseus confronts the trauma of his war experiences, which continue to haunt him. His true identity is eventually recognized by his aging dog, Argos, and his old nursemaid, Eurycleia, both of whom are sworn to secrecy.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Odysseus (Ralph Fiennes): The war-scarred hero who returns home after twenty years to reclaim his family and kingdom from unwelcome suitors.
• Penelope (Juliette Binoche): The faithful wife of Odysseus, pressured by suitors while trying to protect her son and palace in her husband’s absence.
• Telemachus (Charlie Plummer): The son of Odysseus and Penelope, who faces threats from the suitors while navigating his father’s long-awaited and difficult return.
• Antinous (Marwan Kenzari): The leading and most arrogant suitor aggressively vying for Penelope’s hand and the throne of Ithaca.
• Eumaeus (Claudio Santamaria): Odysseus’ loyal swineherd who provides shelter and assists him upon his return before his identity is revealed.
• Eurycleia (Ángela Molina): Odysseus’ elderly nursemaid who is one of the first to recognize him through a distinct scar, maintaining his secret.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Penelope: “How can men find their way to war but not find their way home?” – Penelope asks rhetorically, expressing the long suffering and confusion of those left behind waiting for soldiers to return.
• Odysseus: “For some, war becomes home.” – Odysseus responds to Penelope, offering a stark reflection on the psychological toll of prolonged conflict and his own internal struggle.
• Penelope: “Give your father the bow.” – Penelope instructs her son Telemachus, signifying a pivotal moment of trust and a challenge to the disguised Odysseus during the archery contest.
• Penelope: “We have a lot to forget.” – Penelope speaks to Odysseus after the conflict, acknowledging the deep scars and trauma they both carry from their separation and experiences.
• Odysseus: “Remembering what happened is necessary before forgetting.” – Odysseus replies to Penelope, suggesting that processing their past experiences, even the painful ones, is essential for healing and moving forward.

💰Box Office

• Budget: None
• Domestic Gross: $703,979
• Worldwide Gross: $2,919,496

💥 The Return Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, this movie was intense in a quiet way. I wasn’t expecting a big action flick, but more of a character study, and that’s exactly what it delivered. Ralph Fiennes as Odysseus was absolutely captivating. You really felt the exhaustion and trauma etched into his face; his eyes told such a story even without dialogue. The scene where his old dog recognizes him really got to me – such a small moment but so full of emotion. Juliette Binoche was amazing too. You could see the years of waiting and resilience in Penelope, and the reunion scene between them, even with the distance, was incredibly powerful. It felt less like a myth and more like a painfully real story about a family trying to reconnect after an impossible amount of time and hardship. It’s slow, sure, and some parts drag slightly, but the performances make it worth it. It makes you think about the cost of war in a very personal, human way.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche”
  • “Viewers interested in grounded, human-centric adaptations of classic literature”
  • “Audiences who appreciate psychological dramas and character studies”
  • “Individuals interested in themes of war trauma and homecoming”
  • “Fans of historical dramas with a focus on emotional depth”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence (including graphic sequences)”
  • “Nudity (male)”
  • “Sexual content (implied or depicted)”
  • “Language”
  • “Themes of trauma and PTSD”

Professional Reviews

• Film Focus Online: “Uberto Pasolini delivers a stark, grounded take on Homer’s epic, shedding the divine intervention for raw human drama. Ralph Fiennes is mesmerizing as a battle-scarred Odysseus grappling with the ghosts of war, his performance carrying the film’s weight. Juliette Binoche adds a quiet strength as the long-suffering Penelope. While deliberately paced, the film effectively builds tension towards its visceral climax, offering a poignant look at the toll of war and the difficulty of coming home.
• The Cinematic Eye: “Forget monsters and gods; ‘The Return’ is a psychological portrait of a hero broken by trauma. Fiennes is exceptional, portraying Odysseus not as a mythic figure but a veteran haunted by his past. Binoche is equally compelling in a nuanced role. The film’s austere beauty, shot on location, enhances the sense of a kingdom in decay. Though some supporting performances feel less refined, the central study of war’s impact and the complex reunion of a family separated by time and conflict is powerful and resonant.

Audience Reactions

Ralph Fiennes’ raw, emotional portrayal of Odysseus was a standout.: Many viewers appreciated the film’s focus on the psychological toll of war and the grounded, realistic approach to the myth, particularly the performances of Fiennes and Binoche.

The cinematography and Greek locations were consistently praised for their beauty.: The film’s visual style, authentic settings, and often stark beauty were highlighted as significant strengths by the audience.

Overall Consensus: A visually striking, character-driven drama anchored by powerful lead performances, offering a thoughtful, albeit slow-paced, modern interpretation of the Odysseus myth focused on trauma and the challenge of homecoming.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was primarily shot on location on the Greek island of Corfu, aligning with the traditional setting of Ithaca.”
• “The Return reunites Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche on screen for the first time since their acclaimed collaboration in the 1996 film The English Patient.”
• “Ralph Fiennes underwent significant physical training to portray a battle-hardened Odysseus, aiming for a realistic depiction of a warrior’s physique.”
• “Director Uberto Pasolini deliberately chose a grounded, non-fantastical approach to the myth, focusing on the psychological trauma and human drama rather than CGI monsters or divine intervention.”
• “The screenplay was co-written by the late Edward Bond, an acclaimed British playwright known for his often politically charged and stark works.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Return?

As of its release, ‘The Return’ is available for purchase or rental on digital platforms like Apple TV (specifically listed for MENA regions). Check major online movie stores including Prime Video, Vudu, and Google Play for availability in your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Return, you might like these similar films:

• The Odyssey (1997): A direct, albeit more traditionally epic, adaptation of Homer’s poem, covering Odysseus’ entire journey including his return to Ithaca.
• The Hurt Locker (2008): Explores the psychological toll of warfare on soldiers and the difficulty of reintegrating into civilian life, echoing ‘The Return’s focus on Odysseus’ PTSD.
• The English Patient (1996): Features the reunion of lead actors Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche, and is a character-driven drama dealing with themes of memory, identity, and the impact of conflict.
• The Green Knight (2021): A modern, atmospheric, and psychologically focused adaptation of a classic myth, prioritizing internal struggle and ambiguity over traditional heroic action, similar to ‘The Return’s approach.

🛒 The Return Related Products

• The Odyssey by Homer: A classic translation of Homer’s epic poem that tells the full story of Odysseus’s journey and return, providing the original source material for the film.
• Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold: Stephen Fry’s engaging retelling of the Greek myths, including the story of Odysseus, offering an accessible and witty way to explore the broader mythological world.
• Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (Digital Code): An open-world action RPG set in ancient Greece during the Peloponnesian War, allowing players to explore a vibrant historical world and experience ancient Greek life and mythology firsthand.
• Ancient Greece Historical Map Poster: A detailed decorative map illustrating the world of ancient Greece, highlighting key cities, islands, and mythological locations.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Return features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Shores of Ithaca” – performed by Rachel Portman
• “Penelope’s Wait” – performed by Rachel Portman
• “The Suitors’ Reckoning” – performed by Rachel Portman
• “Return to Self” – performed by Rachel Portman

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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