Most attempts at filming the story of Odysseus have played on the return of a King, but not so for Uberto Pasolini; in The Return he concentrates on the return of a man, a beaten soldier ashamed at the loss of all his men, whilst his Queen has suffered abandonment and humiliation. Odysseus finally gets home penniless and unrecognizable, washed up as a beggar on the shore, whilst Penelope fights off suitors, wishing to marry her for power and wealth.
The return of Odysseus to Penelope after twenty years is mirrored ironically by the re-meeting of Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche after 28 years since 'The English Patient'.
"The film shines when it's simply Binoche and Fiennes facing off, especially in scenes where Penelope pretends not to recognize her husband, trying to force him to step forward into his rightful place." - Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times.