:
George Clooney,
George Clooney,
John Turturro,
more...
:
Joel Coen,
Joel Coen
see all cast/crew...
: 
: Walt Disney Video
: Comedies, Quest, Road Movies
: 103 min.
: English
: English, Spanish
see additional details...
|
|
The writing, directing, and producing team of Joel Coen and Ethan Coen created this picaresque comedy (inspired in part by Homer's The Odyssey) set in the Deep South during the Depression. Suave and fancy-talking Everett Ulysses McGill (George Clooney), dim-witted Delmar (Tim Blake Nelson), and easily-excitable Pete (John Turturro) are serving time together on a prison chain gang. Everett knows where $1.2 million is hidden that's theirs for the taking, and the three manage to escape; however, a stranger soon warns them that they'll find treasure, but not the sort they're looking for. As Everett and his partners hit the road, they happen upon a gluttonous bible salesman, Big Dan Teague (John Goodman); meet up with Baby Face Nelson (Michael Badalucco) as he robs a bank; encounter three Sirens doing their washing; run into Everett's estranged wife Penny (Holly Hunter), who has told everyone her husband was killed in a train wreck; find themselves in the middle of a heated campaign between political boss Pappy O'Daniel (Charles Durning), and reformist candidate Homer Stokes (Wayne Duvall); and even find time to make a hit record as The Soggy Bottom Boys. Noted songwriter T-Bone Burnett helped compile the songs (combining vintage country blues tunes with originals in the same style), while Carter Burwell composed the background score. Incidentally, the title O Brother, Where Art Thou? is a reference to the classic Preston Sturges comedy Sullivan's Travels, in which a director plans to make a serious "message picture" with that name. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
You might also enjoy:
Sullivan's Travels
Preston Sturges' classic social comedy provided much inspiration to the Coens --including the title
Down from the Mountain
Bluegrass concert spun off from O Brother's delightful soundtrack
Take the Money and Run
Woody Allen's often hilarious inept jailbreak movie would make a cool double-feature with the Coens' film
|
| Great storytelling
by hneline1
March 8, 2002 - 10:32 AM PST
|
|
|
1 out of 2 members found this review helpful
|
| I loved this film's storytelling, the depictions of the south and it's culture during the depression, and it's wonderful characters. It's a fun film to watch with lots of sly references. The music was great. |
| Odyssey remake worth watching
by TAubuchon
March 1, 2002 - 11:04 AM PST
|
|
|
2 out of 2 members found this review helpful
|
|
The Coen brothers once again make a wonderfully crafted movie. Almost the entire Bart and Fink cast comes together on this wonderful journey. The literary and film references do not end at Odyssey, yet they never get convoluted as most Odyssey remakes have in the past.
The cast was brillant; Jonh Turturro's performance was both over the top and subtle. John Goodman as the evil one eyed Bible salesman and Michael Badalucco as the manic-depressive bank robber were work the ticket alone. The Coen's teased the performance of a lifetime from George Clooney who tends to be stiff and too self-conscious for this kind of role. George played Everett full force and never backs down from unworldliness that was required of him.
The environment was an essential character; you could feel the heat, the dust, and the deep traditions of the South. In fact the environment often played as a foil to over the top characters, grounding them in their world. The music as well was essential to this film and well deserved the Grammy for best soundtrack. The eerie music was constantly illuminating scenes and giving depth, character and movement to the movie.
|
|
|
GreenCine Member Rating
(Average 7.38)
783 Votes
add to list 
|
 |
|
|
 |
| Cannes Film Festival & More - 2000 |
|
|
| Official Selection, Certain Regards... and more. Here is a bit more information on the films screened at the Cannes. I have attempted to list all the films that were considered for an award as well as any special screenings. |
kraigpdx
|
|
|
see all lists |
|
|
Your cart
Cinenaut
© 2006 All Media Guide, LLC. Portions of content provided by All Movie Guide®,
a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC.