Watch The Odyssey

The Odyssey from 2016 is a French biographical drama film that chronicles the life of famous oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, played by Lambert Wilson. The film is directed by Jerome Salle and stars Pierre Niney as Philippe Cousteau, Jacques' son, and Audrey Tautou as Simone Melchior Cousteau, Jacques' wife. The movie begins with Jacques Cousteau as a young man in the French Navy during World War II. It quickly transitions to his post-war life where he becomes passionate about exploring the ocean and takes up diving. Jacques develops a close bond with his son Philippe, who accompanies him on many of his underwater expeditions.

The Odyssey primarily focuses on Jacques' professional career as he becomes a renowned oceanographer and environmentalist. Jacques creates the underwater breathing apparatus called the "aqua-lung," which allows humans to breathe underwater for extended periods of time, making deep sea exploration possible. He and his team embark on numerous voyages, documenting the ocean's depths and discovering new species.

Throughout the film, Jacques is portrayed as a man who is constantly at odds with himself. Though he has a deep love for the ocean and its inhabitants, he struggles to balance his passion for exploration with his responsibilities as a father and husband. His relationship with his wife, Simone, becomes strained as she grows tired of his relentless pursuit of adventure and his neglect of their family.

The Odyssey also delves into the political and social issues of the time. Cousteau's expeditions take place during the Cold War, and his work is often used as a way to promote France's image on the world stage. Cousteau struggles with this, as he wants his work to promote conservation and environmental awareness, rather than serving political interests.

The movie is shot beautifully with incredible underwater cinematography that captures the majesty of the oceans. Jacques' many dives are depicted with stunning and vivid images of marine life, coral reefs, and underwater landscapes.

The performances of the cast are top-notch. Lambert Wilson is convincing as the iconic oceanographer, bringing depth to his portrayal of a man who is deeply divided between his love of the ocean and his personal life. Pierre Niney is excellent as Philippe, Jacques' loyal son, who shares his father's passion for the ocean, but struggles to reconcile his admiration for his father and the impact his work has on their family. Audrey Tautou gives a strong performance as Simone, a woman who is initially supportive of her husband's work but becomes increasingly frustrated by his choices.

Overall, The Odyssey is an engrossing and well-made biographical drama that successfully captures the complexity of Jacques Cousteau's life and work. The film beautifully balances the exploration of the oceans with the personal struggles faced by its main characters, creating a poignant and memorable chronicle of a man and his quest for discovery.

The Odyssey is a 2016 action movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 3 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.