The Odyssey

The Odyssey, directed by Jérôme Salle and released in 2016, is a biographical adventure film that vividly showcases the life and relentless passion of the iconic French underwater explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau. The movie stars Lambert Wilson as Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Pierre Niney as his son Philippe Cousteau, and Audrey Tautou as Cousteau's wife Simone.

Told through the eyes of Cousteau's younger son, Philippe, the film spans three decades, taking the audience on a journey through the life of one of the world's most famous explorers. Inviting viewers into the depths of the undersea world which Cousteau loved and advocated for, The Odyssey is as much a family drama as it is an eye-opening exploration of humanity's relationship with the sea.

In the film, Lambert Wilson brilliantly embodies the essence of Jacques Cousteau, playing the role with a captivating mix of ambition, charisma, and obsession. He brings Cousteau's unwavering passion for marine archaeology, underwater exploration, and the cinematic documentation of his groundbreaking maritime expeditions to life. The portrayal of Cousteau by Wilson is as complex and multifaceted as the man himself, depicting a man not only of extraordinary vision but also ambition, ego, and imperfections.

Pierre Niney plays the compassionate and dauntless son, Philippe, who proves to be a critical figure in transforming his father’s view of the ocean as a resource to be exploited into a world to be preserved and respected. Despite initial conflicts stemming from Philippe’s environmental awareness against his father’s commercial interests, his role highlights a shift in the perception of the world beneath the waves.

Audrey Tautou delivers a heartbreaking performance as Simone, Jacques' wife and the unacknowledged backbone of the Cousteau Empire who faces the hardships, marital conflicts for her husband's relentless pursuit of the undersea world. Her performance reveals the uncelebrated sacrifices made by the people behind the accomplished explorer.

The film begins in the 1940s, when Cousteau's innovative spirit and daring personality lead him to modify an old mine detector into the first diving regulator, giving birth to modern scuba diving. Followed by the purchase and conversion of a British naval vessel into the research ship Calypso, Cousteau, along with his wife, Simone and his team, sets sail on a series of adventures that change the way people understand the world beneath the waves.

The Odyssey pulls audiences into a plethora of breathtaking underwater scenes shot in the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, the Antarctic, and more. The dazzling blue expanses teeming with aquatic life are incredibly captured by cinematographer Matias Boucard, revealing the underwater world’s stunning beauty and stunning biodiversity. The film's sweeping visuals offer a taste of the vibrant marine ecosystems that Cousteau and his team uncovered and the environmental urgency that this unique realm captures.

The film also explores the dynamics of the Cousteau family, highlighting tension and competition between Jacques and his two sons, Jean-Michel and Philippe. The film beautifully navigates the rifts and reconciliations between father and son against the backdrop of their shared love for the sea, giving an intimate portrayal of their relationships while unveiling the personal flaws that often clashed with their professional lives.

All these elements are tied together by the remarkable score of the talented Alexandre Desplat, which emphasizes and punctuates momentous events brilliantly, the sea's magical allure, and the deepening family drama.

The Odyssey, while centering on the life of Jacques Cousteau, in essence, encapsulates a monumental era of marine exploration and our evolving relationship with the natural world. By presenting both the grandeur of Cousteau's maritime brilliance and the complexities of his personal life, the film drives home a powerful message about the cost of ambition and the preciousness of our marine worlds. This nod to a remarkable pioneer allows audiences, both familiar and unfamiliar with Cousteau's work, to appreciate his significant contribution to marine exploration and conservation.