O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? (2000)
Ah, the Coen Brothers. That name is really all you need to say and I'm running to the theaters with my ticket in hand. The Coen Brothers have yet to make a movie that's really bored me to tears. Sure, some are better than others. Some are cleaner than others. But no matter what, they have a knack of making movies that really stick with you. O Brother, Where Art Thou? is a translated version of The Odyssey, featuring three convicts who break out of prison in the 1930s and run away to find an alleged treasure. They meet various folks along their journey, including a man who sold his soul for the guitar, a one-eyed con-man, and Baby Face Nelson himself.
I'll start off with the actors and just say they're all fantastic. George Clooney plays the articulate ring-leader, Everett, and he nails the role. I mean, he's George Clooney. He's always a pleasure to watch. Then we've got the extremely underrated John Turturro, who just looks like he belongs in the wrong end of a jail cell. And Tim Blake Nelson, also underrated, is something of a comic relief as the convict with a heart of gold. It helps that they have a great script to work with, delivering brilliant lines of dialogue one right after the other. Is O Brother, Where Art Thou? problematic as a movie? Sure, the acts don't quite jive, the narrative jumps around a little too much, some solutions are just too "convenient." But have I seen it so many times I can quote it? Yes, yes, I have. If that's not the true testament to a good movie, I don't know what is.
I'll start off with the actors and just say they're all fantastic. George Clooney plays the articulate ring-leader, Everett, and he nails the role. I mean, he's George Clooney. He's always a pleasure to watch. Then we've got the extremely underrated John Turturro, who just looks like he belongs in the wrong end of a jail cell. And Tim Blake Nelson, also underrated, is something of a comic relief as the convict with a heart of gold. It helps that they have a great script to work with, delivering brilliant lines of dialogue one right after the other. Is O Brother, Where Art Thou? problematic as a movie? Sure, the acts don't quite jive, the narrative jumps around a little too much, some solutions are just too "convenient." But have I seen it so many times I can quote it? Yes, yes, I have. If that's not the true testament to a good movie, I don't know what is.
Respectfully disagree, M. I loved The Odyssey, and the Coens, Torturro, Straitharn, and Clooney. And I hated this movie to pieces.
ReplyDeleteThe storylines felt like a clumsy way to sort of work in The Odyssey a little, but I couldn't see the logic in most of the scenes. Holly Hunter felt sorta wasted as a shrill money-grubber/protective mama, not at all like the shrewd Penelope of lore. And every time I hear the words "soggy bottom," I feel a little chill of revulsion. I wanted to like the song more, but I think it would've worked just fine to have the actual actors sing it, not to suddenly queue in to one of the most obviously-produced singing moments I've ever seen in film. Like Back to the Future bad.
Worst of all, my brother and I have had debates about the Coens. He says that their scripts often suggest a deep contempt for their own characters - like the bros look down on them meanly for being stupid, cheap, whatever. Never has that theory seemed more likely than with the stupidity and ludicrous OTT-ness of the roles here.
Sorry! I saw this movie right after an awful breakup, and maybe that set the tone for me, but I find it hard to believe that a rewatch would improve my opinion. I was squirming in my seat (with unhappiness).
I've actually heard that more than once--that a lot of people feel like trying to stuff the Odyssey into this movie was just "too much" and the translation didn't work. And I can definitely understand that, even agree with it at times. I'm a big Odyssey fan myself. Still, this movie was just fun enough for me to actually sit back, relax, and enjoy the ridiculousness of it all.
DeleteOn the other hand, that's an interesting argument you have with your brother. I feel like I need to go rewatch some Coen Brothers movies again to figure it out. I can certainly see that working with Burn After Reading, and they do have despicable character 90% of the time. Still, there's always something human about them as well, human enough to make them likable despite their awfulness.
I respect that! If you're not in the right mood, anything can stink. My brother said it especially of Hudsucker, iirc, which I adore. I hope they're not sneering at their characters much, less the joke would be unacceptably mean.
DeleteM - Depending on the day, this is my favorite Coen Brothers movie (and maybe in my top 25 or so). Though, it's hard to argue with The Dude.
ReplyDeleteJust thinking of this movie makes me want to apply a generous amount of Dapper Dan's Pomade to my...hair.
The crazy thing is, I've only seen this movie maybe...three times? It's just each time I thought: I f--king love this flick.
I'm with you. The Dude is extremely hard to argue with.
DeleteI've seen this one way too many times than a normal human being should. It's just my "feel good" movie. This, Weekend At Bernies, and Dodgeball. Those three about sum up my sense of humor. At least, my sick day sense of humor. Gotta love a fun romp with the Coen Bros!
Damn! We're in a tight spot!
ReplyDeleteLove this movie. The first time they sing their song in the studio... that's just a remarkable scene, one of the best the Coens have ever put on screen.
Great review!
Thanks! I definitely enjoyed the heck out of this one. Glad you did too!
DeleteI have enjoyed this movie several times. For coming from such a heavy piece of literature it's such a fluffy movie. I like it, though I wish my buddy Nick Searcy had been cast somewhere in it.
ReplyDeleteAgreed! They certainly don't take the Odyssey quite so seriously, which is almost refreshing in a way.
DeleteI adore this one. Clooney is hilarious and the cinematography and the soundtrack really create unique experience, you can almost feel the dust and the heat of the landscape they are travelling through.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't have said it better myself! Clooney is fantastic and the soundtrack definitely rocks. All in all, awesome movie.
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