O Brother, Where Are Thou? is a 2000 film brought to us by the hugely talented Oscar winning writing/producing/directing duo the Coen brothers. Loosely based on Homer's Odyssey, the film chronicles the adventures of Everett Ulysses McGill (played by George Clooney) and his two companions Pete (John Turturro) and Delmar (Tim Blake Nelson) through Deep South 1930s Mississippi. The three convicted felons escape from a chain-gang in the hope of reaching Everett's home before it is flooded by a new dam, to recover the buried loot of a bank heist.
Travelling through the barren, sparse landscape, they are confronted by numerous strange characters including a blind prophet, a trio of sexy sirens and a one-eyed bible salesman (all clear references to Homer's Odyssey). Stereotypical figures from Southern US history are also embedded into the movie in order ground it in its setting, including celebrated bank robber Baby Face Nelson, the not so celebrated Ku Klux Klan and a campaigning Governor. These encounters result in the film being full of close calls, chases, twists & turns, and hilarity ensues. And just to cap things off, the smooth-tongued Everett has to contend not only with the evil Sheriff that is chasing them, but also his two dim-witted partners in crime.
Verdict
This film is a triumph and a showcase of the immense talent possessed by the Coen brothers. To look firstly at the script, it is the perfect antidote to the hundreds of movies resorting to toilet humour currently being churned out by Hollywood (Think Frat pack here - Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson, Steve Carell, and Paul Rudd.) The approach to humour is altogether different here, the Coens preferring to rely on subtlety of word play and inference. In addition, the script is full to the brim of encounters with the strange characters I've previously mentioned, leaving you breathless as the trio move from one hilarious mishap to another....and this breathlessness also highlights the urgency of their journey to reach the treasure in time.
George Clooney shines as the smooth, dapper male lead, and for me without doubt this is his finest comedic performance to date. His pompous linguistics and vocabulary are comical and endearing throughout. Tim Blake Nelson and John Turturro also hold their own as Clooney's backwards side-kicks. The movie's supporting cast is also impressive and they each bring something to the film, including Holly Hunter, Charles Durning (a special mention for Charles especially, his depiction of the old chrony Governor is 1st rate), John Goodman, Chris Thomas King, and Michael Badalucco.
The Bluegrass soundtrack of folk songs, yodelling, and old prison songs is outstanding, playing in the background (or foreground) of nearly every scene. In fact i've read that it seems sometimes as though the soundtrack is so intrinsic to the film that the soundtrack is almost the product and the film is wrapping paper. (See my review of the soundtrack for further info). A special mention must also be given to the cinematography of this film. The digital grading technique used is so effective that it transports you to the barren yet enchanting landscape of 1930s Mississippi.
All in all a heart-warming tale that is full of old timey humour delivered by a bang on form Clooney. If you're tired of watching Anchorman, try something altogether more different (but none the less funny).
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Only Joel and Ethan Coen, masters of quirky and ultra-stylish genre subversion, would dare ... more
nick the plotline of Homer'sOdysseyforO Brother, Where Art Thou?, their comic picaresque saga about three cons on the run in 1930s Mississippi. Our wandering her...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Putting their own unique spin on Homer's classic Odyssey O Brother Where Art Thou is ... more
another Coen brothers classic. In a Golden Globe winning performance George Clooney plays Ulysses Everett McGill a silver-tongued petty criminal who finds himsel...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Putting their own unique modern-day spin on Homer's classic tale of 'The Odyssey', 'O ... more
Brother, Where Art Thou?' is another Coen Brothers' classic.Clooney plays Everett Ulysses McGill, a silver tongued, petty criminal who finds himself on the wrong end ...
Advantages: Great classical storyline, excellent casting and acting Disadvantages: Confusing... but you've just got to think a little to get the message
![O Brother, Where Art Thou? [DVD] [2000]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78537806.jpg "O Brother, Where Art Thou? [DVD] [2000]")
Nov 3rd, 2009
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