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O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

Director: Joel Coen

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2 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

The title alludes to Preston Sturges and evokes the engagingly anarchic, almost throwaway tone and setting of the Coens' shaggy Deep South Depression-era semi-musical road-comedy. The story, however, as announced with gleeful idiocy (but honesty!) in the opening credits, is loosely 'Based on Homer's Odyssey'. Clooney is perfectly cast as Everett Ulysses McGill, a somewhat vainglorious Mississippi charmer who breaks from a chain gang, dragging two none-too-bright buddies (Turturro and Nelson) in his wake, purportedly to retrieve his booty, but actually to try to tempt his less than faithful Penelope (Hunter) away from her new suitor. En route, there are adventures with latter-day lotus eaters, sirens, a Bible-bashing Polyphemus (Goodman), a Robert Johnson-like bluesman, a public enemy, corrupt politicians and the Klan, accompanied by a wealth of terrific blues, bluegrass and gospel music. Great dialogue, superb 'Scope camerawork from Roger Deakins, and a genuinely wondrous deus ex machina are among the delights.

Author: GA

Time Out Film Guide

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User reviews of this film

mr.mike said...

Posted on Jan 18 2009 13:39 One of the worst films I've ever seen. Clooney is miscast , annoying and not at all funny.

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Magmabulle said...

Posted on Jun 08 2008 20:22 Yet another great Coen movie. Admittedly, I wasn't sure whether they would be able to adept Odyssey to cinema or not, but tey succeed as always. Great acting by Clooney (and others, such as John Goodman) and fantastic soundtrack.

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