O Brother, Where Art Thou? Movie Review

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

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Written by: Homer (epic poem "The Odyssey"), Ethan Coen & Joel Coen
Directed by: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen (uncredited)
Starring: George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, John Goodman, Holly Hunter, Stephen Root
Rated: PG-13
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Plot
In the deep south during the 1930s, three escaped convicts search for hidden treasure while a relentless lawman pursues them.

Verdict
It's thoroughly enjoyable with a sharp script and great performances. This is lighter than some of the Coen brothers' movies, but it still has the irony and smart humor that pervades their movies. Clooney does great as a fast talking con-man, and the whole adventure feels like a tall tale which is part of the charm. The movie is just fun, from dialog and tone to who the characters meet and how they get out of problems.
Watch It.

Review
While based on "The Odyssey," the Coen brothers hadn't read it prior to starting the script. They were familiar with it only in remakes. The title is a reference to, and borrows plot elements from, the 1941 Preston Sturges film Sullivan's Travels, in which the protagonist wants to direct a film about the Great Depression that has this title.

From the start, the three convicts Everett (George Clooney), Pete (John Turturro), and Delmar (Tim Blake Nelson) are on the run. Everett has talked the other two into it with tales of a treasure. All three actors have appeared in multiple Coen brothers' movies.

John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, and George Clooney play Pete, Delmar, and Everett

There's a richness to the dialog, tapping into the flourishes of the deep South. Just twenty minutes in, this is an amazing adaptation. It hits the typical Coen trademarks with hapless characters stumbling through the plot with equal parts good and bad luck. The thing with this movie, and almost all of the Coen brothers' movies is that they're entertaining. Even the more melancholy movies like Inside Llewyn Davis have some traces of humor, and that's one of my all time favorite movies.

With the 1930s language and the overall tone of this movie, it's a lot of fun. To get to the treasure the trio manage to pass themselves off as a band for quick cash. Everett is trying to tell the radio DJ what he wants to hear and completely misreading the room. They manage the chance to sing with a rendition of "Man of Constant Sorrow."

Throughout the movie they stumble into historical figures and even a myth. As they're desperately trying to scrounge up cash for their journey and having trouble holding onto that cash, they're song becomes high demand. There's often quite a bit of irony in Coen brothers movies, and this is no exception.

The comedy in this is well honed. The timing and repetition of dialog is very smart, and Everett's fast talking con-man type demeanor make him a fun character who's heading this madcap adventure. This trio gets so incredibly lucky with who they run into and when. This easily could be a tall tale Everett is telling some poor sucker.

The trio and everyone they've met end up at a campaign dinner where they become the cause and solution to their problems at one time.  That's a fun bit of plotting, but the Coen brothers excel at that.