Troy (2004)
Finally got around to watching Troy, that epic movie starring Brad Pitt based on Homer’s Iliad. The way I see it there are two ways to look at this movie: one being as a historical piece, relating the events of the past as described in The Iliad; and second as a fictional movie inspired by past events.
As a telling of The Lilian I would say this movie falls far short. Is only built around perhaps six key plot anchors from The Iliad.
- There was a war between Greece and Troy.
- Achilles fought in the war.
- Patroclus died.
- The Trojan Horse was constructed as a rouse.
- Achilles died.
- Troy fell, with some fleeing with Aeneas.
The action and development between these points (and there is a lot between six points for a movie that’s more than two hours long) is more a creative interpretation of events.
Entertaining? Sure. Historical? Only in the loosest sense. And any points that the movie may gain for this can be quickly deducted for the points where it seems to be purposeful oversight. How can someone make a two+ hour movie about the Trojan War and so completely leave out the homosexuality. I mean, I’m not asking for blatant displays, but how about a little-more-than-cousinly kiss between Achilles and Patroclus, huh?
