Elon Musk's recent tirade against Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey has proven to be a spectacular own goal. The film's impressive box office performance and critical acclaim have shown Musk's baseless criticisms to be utterly misplaced.
Musk, ever the proponent of the right-wing trope 'go woke, go broke', took aim at Nolan's casting choices, particularly the inclusion of Lupita Nyong'o as Helen of Troy. He claimed that Nolan's intentions were suspect and that the film was a diversity quota-filling exercise. However, the film's success tells a different story.
The Odyssey has grossed over $50 million in its opening weekend in the US alone, with estimates suggesting it will finish the weekend with upwards of $137 million. Globally, the film is on track to make $257 million, easily recouping its $250 million production budget. This is a remarkable achievement, especially given the film's high-profile cast and the fact that it's an adaptation of a classic Greek epic.
Critics have been effusive in their praise, with the New York Times describing the film as having 'passion in every frame'. Consequence called it 'the epic we truly need right now'. The film currently has a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the highest of all Nolan's films.
Musk's criticism of Nolan's integrity and racism against Greek people is particularly ironic, given his own lack of cultural sensitivity. He has a history of making racist remarks and promoting false claims about diversity standards, yet he fails to see the hypocrisy in his own words when applied to others.
The film's success is a testament to Nolan's skill as a director and his ability to create a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film. It also highlights the public's appetite for diverse storytelling, which Musk's comments seem to have missed.
In my opinion, Musk's tirade against The Odyssey is a clear indication of his own lack of cultural awareness and his inability to appreciate diverse perspectives. It's a shame, as Nolan has consistently delivered high-quality films that deserve recognition, and The Odyssey is no exception.
