The Return

Pasolini’s commitment to realism here -- despite as ever magnetic performances from his actors -- fails to get at the violent, dark heart of the classic story.

When there’s precious little scenery to chew, the best actors know their words have to be enough.

Tt never reaches the operatic height one might be expecting — or hoping for. Nevertheless, there’s a hushed profundity, especially in Binoche and Fiennes’ performances.

The Return may render its mythological figures lifelike through flesh and blood, but nowhere inside that viscera lies a beating heart.

The Return works neither as a CliffsNotes version of The Odyssey nor as its own stand-alone tale.

Though the stately pace can be frustrating, its anti-war stance ultimately feels modern and urgent.

I wish it had the epic feel that the story warrants.

It is a homecoming for all of us.

The Return is well shot and both Fiennes and Binoche manage to give the film gravitas – but they don’t give it magic.

Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche's reunion isn't enough to compensate for this visually sumptuous but languid historical drama.