"O Muse! Sing in me, and through me tell the story of that man skilled in all the ways of contending, a wanderer, harried for years on end."
Sirens, cyclops, oracles, villains, and heroes from ancient Greece assume new forms in 1930s Mississippi in this whimsical, brilliant, funny, and deeply American Odyssey.
Three prisoners on a work crew escape into the countryside. While the iron chain that binds them is soon broken, it is replaced by a stronger bond, friendship. This new link is tested repeatedly and relentlessly by a diabolical sheriff, Klansmen, con men, scheming relatives, alluring women, charred gopher, bad hair and other monstrosities, but luck, desperation, a talent for music and the inveterate resourcefulness of the trio gets them out of much of the trouble that their impulsiveness leads them into. Deeper problems are their own demons. The unlikely companions travel across Mississippi in search of a treasure that proves illusory, but a much more valuable fortune awaits.
O Brother, Where Art Thou is a thick slice of Americana. Much of this comes from the bluegrass soundtrack. I fell in love with the sound along with singer Gillian Welch. Cinematographer Roger Deakins is at the height of his creative powers as he brews something modern and antique at the same time. His images are a little grainy and blurry, which gives them the historical feel, but the composition and quality do not suffer for it. One of the best things about the writing and directing of the Coen brothers is balance. Each character has strengths and weaknesses, good and bad, flaws and noble aspects, and this is in accord with human nature. The stories told by the Coens are drenched in truth and authenticity. Actors George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, John Goodman and Holly Hunter are perfectly cast and amazing in their roles. I laughed so hard I lost my breath when Delmar (Nelson) was convinced the sirens turned his friend into a toad, and when Big Dan (Goodman) squishes it. There is satisfactory depth to the film with its references to the Odyssey, the themes of racial harmony, love and politics, the beautiful images and more. It is one of my favorite films.
Sirens, cyclops, oracles, villains, and heroes from ancient Greece assume new forms in 1930s Mississippi in this whimsical, brilliant, funny, and deeply American Odyssey.
Three prisoners on a work crew escape into the countryside. While the iron chain that binds them is soon broken, it is replaced by a stronger bond, friendship. This new link is tested repeatedly and relentlessly by a diabolical sheriff, Klansmen, con men, scheming relatives, alluring women, charred gopher, bad hair and other monstrosities, but luck, desperation, a talent for music and the inveterate resourcefulness of the trio gets them out of much of the trouble that their impulsiveness leads them into. Deeper problems are their own demons. The unlikely companions travel across Mississippi in search of a treasure that proves illusory, but a much more valuable fortune awaits.
O Brother, Where Art Thou is a thick slice of Americana. Much of this comes from the bluegrass soundtrack. I fell in love with the sound along with singer Gillian Welch. Cinematographer Roger Deakins is at the height of his creative powers as he brews something modern and antique at the same time. His images are a little grainy and blurry, which gives them the historical feel, but the composition and quality do not suffer for it. One of the best things about the writing and directing of the Coen brothers is balance. Each character has strengths and weaknesses, good and bad, flaws and noble aspects, and this is in accord with human nature. The stories told by the Coens are drenched in truth and authenticity. Actors George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, John Goodman and Holly Hunter are perfectly cast and amazing in their roles. I laughed so hard I lost my breath when Delmar (Nelson) was convinced the sirens turned his friend into a toad, and when Big Dan (Goodman) squishes it. There is satisfactory depth to the film with its references to the Odyssey, the themes of racial harmony, love and politics, the beautiful images and more. It is one of my favorite films.