A bright almost unsaturated horizon appears… The camera pans across landscape to present a "typical" chain gang singing the blues… and it continues to glide effortlessly in and around the scene, with the harmonic vocals complementing the visuals perfectly. So even before the titles are given a chance to roll, we know we're in for a visual and aural treat…
At this point, the three "heroes" of the title, Everet (George Clooney), Pete (John Turturro) and Delmar (Tim Blake Nelson) are seen making their hapless bid for freedom and treasure… They face many obstacles on their quest, and due to their naivety, the best decisions (much to our enjoyment) are not always made. It was this that reminded me that the movie doesn't just have a pretty face, but also a story to tell…
A story that's (very) loosely based on Homer's Odyssey. But set in the "real world".
I use the term "real world" as loosely as the Coen's adaptation of the Odyssey itself. Because if you're seen previous Coen movies (e.g. Raising Arizona, Fargo, Hudsucker Proxy), then you'll know that even the most mundane things are often given a whole new slant through the myriad of odd characters created by Ethan and Joel. And if you're also familiar with the Odyssey, then you'll no doubt spot many of the references in some of those characters. Everett (Ulysses), the women in the river (Sirens), and the bible selling "Cyclops" are just a few examples…
This story is about three escaped convicts on a quest for treasure, but it seems that it won't be the treasure that most of them seek. To tell this moral tale, "O Brother Where Art Thou?" uses the Coens usual mixture of beautiful and sometimes disturbing imagery, good music, along with visual and verbal humour (a good example is the "only four of us can write" punch-line). Although all of this would count for nothing if it wasn't for the excellent acting given by all… George Clooney shows he's equally comfortable in a comedic role, and the relative newcomer Nelson, along with stalwarts Turtturo, Goodman and Hunter don't let us down either.
If I had one complaint it would have to be that the movie starts off quite slow… But having said that, it's a very small complaint, and it "does" pick up pace (unlike most films which do the opposite). The set pieces come more often, and are intense, visually striking or both. And for me it works. Granted, it's not for everyone, but it's a must see for all Coen fans, people who appreciate beautiful scenery, intelligent scripting, "old time" music, or for people who just fancy a feel-good story that has true meaning…
Welcome to world of the Coens. A world that seems very real, but at the same time refreshingly (occasionally disturbingly) different…
I give it 8 out of 10.
Location:
UGC Sheffield. Valley Centre,
Sheffield,
South Yorkshire,
United Kingdom
Contact:
Telephone: 08709020420
