Movie-A-Day #96: O Brother, Where Art Thou?

[Evil Ash]

From RottenTomatoes.com:

Joel and Ethan Coen transport Homer's ODYSSEY to the depression-era South in the silly, fun comedy O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? George Clooney, John Turturro, and Tim Blake Nelson star as three escaped fugitives on the run in Mississippi. Their adventures through the barren landscape includes run-ins with a soothsayer, a trio of Sirens, a Bible-salesman Cyclops, as well as other archetypes from Southern folklore and pop-culture including a young blues musician, the Klan, and bank robber Baby Face Nelson. Soon they are caught up in a vicious gubernatorial campaign that would make Huey Long proud.

The Coen brothers mix in a host of cinematic references in O BROTHER, including SULLIVAN'S TRAVELS, COOL HAND LUKE, I AM A FUGITIVE FROM A CHAIN GANG, and even dashes of the Three Stooges. The soundtrack of folk ballads, yodeling traditionals, Delta blues, and prison work songs is outstanding, playing in the background (or foreground) of nearly every scene. Clooney, as the ringleader, displays an effervescent smile that is as intoxicating as the Coens' script is outrageous. The cast, including Holly Hunter, Charles Durning, John Goodman, Chris Thomas King, and Michael Badalucco, is charmingly bewildering in a way that only a Coen brothers' cast can be. Joel and Ethan have done it again, crafting this time a unique film steeped in the traditions of the South--and of Hollywood itself.

Another solid movie by the Coen Brothers. Personally I was a little leery before seeing the movie about modernizing Homer's Odyssey because usually when stories, plays, or even older movies are modernized (or re-done for that matter) they often lose its original appeal ... or to be more blunt often turns to crap IMHO.

However after watching this movie, I absolutely loved it. It had a great cast including George Clooney and the under-utlized John Turturro, a great sountrack (that mostly features folk songs) which is interwoven quite well with the storyline, and great comedy and clever dialogue mixed in as well (including a scene of singing and well cheorographed dancing Klansmen that can only be seen to be believed). The storyline was also very creative. Needless to say it has quickly become one of my favorites!

Now is this the best movie ever made by the Coen Brothers? Not really, but it is a genuinely fun and entertaining nonetheless. For those who have not seen it, I highly recommend it!

Favorite Line: "Well isn't this place a geographical annomally ... 2 weeks from everywhere?!"

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Up Next: Private Parts

 

[Mike Olbinski]

I loved this movie...only saw it once, don't remember a whole lot, but it was pretty good.

Mike

 

[Pariah]

This is one of those movis (like Thin Red Line) that you either love or hate. I've never spoken with anyone who fell inbetween.

Clooney was fantastic, as was Turturro and Goodman.

 

[CaptTurbo]

BAD BAD BAD BAD movie. Just 1 more reason to hate Clooney.

 

[Chaplin]

Originally posted by swd1974
BAD BAD BAD BAD movie. Just 1 more reason to hate Clooney.

Come on, you can do better than that, can't you?

 

[schutd]

Great film. John Goodman as the cyclops? Awesome.

 

[Ryanwb]

I liked the movie except for George Clooney...he has about as much Charisma as Darryl Strawberry has common sense

 

[MadCardDisease]

I can't say I was ever a fan of the modern adaption of Classics idea.

I give this one a thumbs down. To artsy for me.

 

[Chaplin]

Great movie, and just hilarious. Clooney's role was great, a self-proclaimed "ladies man" who was anything but.

 

[KingofCards]

I love this movie!

"Never trust a Hogwallop."

"R-u-n--o-f-t" "Mamma runoft"