The director, Alberto Pasolini, emphasizes the cost on Odysseus' soul from years of fighting, killing, and being away from home, including relationships with other women.
Penelope is depicted as a complex character with feelings, needs, and struggles, not just a saintly waiting wife.
Penelope challenges the suitors with a bow, a task only Odysseus could traditionally accomplish, symbolizing her hope and determination.
Fiennes couldn't initially envision Binoche as Penelope, but the director's suggestion illuminated the perfect casting.
It had been 28 years since their last collaboration on The English Patient in 1996.
An epic poem and an epic reunion come to the big screen. The Return looks for new meaning in Homer's ancient story of Odysseus' return to Ithaca — and to his wife Penelope. We talk to co-stars Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche. For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org).Email us at [email protected]).Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)