Today’s quick review: O Brother, Where Art Thou?. Directed by the Coen Brothers, O Brother, Where Art Thou? is a loose retelling of the Odyssey set in 1930s Mississippi. Ulysses Everett McGill (George Clooney) is a smooth-talking convict who escapes from his chain gang with two fellow prisoners, Delmar (Tim Blake Nelson) and Pete (John Turturro). Together they set off to find the treasure that Everett hid before he was arrested. Their journey leads them through challenges strange and wondrous: a blind railwayman, an adult baptism, a trio of sirens, a cyclopean bible salesman (John Goodman), an unscrupulous gubernatorial candidate, and others. Along the way they encounter the best and worst in human nature, as well as few aspects of it that aren’t so easy to define.
O Brother, Where Art Thou? is a masterful comedy laced with wry allusions and rich detail. The Coen Brothers at once pay tribute to Homer and carve out a piece of American history for their own observations on life and humanity. Their characters are drawn along classical comedy lines: fallible, self-centered, and often dim, yet capable of great pathos. Their winding, episodic plot nonetheless comes together into a cohesive whole. Their setting shows a keen attention to detail and remarkable consistency. The craft of the film makes it a pleasure to watch again and again, with new touches of artistry jumping to the fore each time.
The characters are of the lively, human sort that the Coen Brothers are known for. Everett is a facile speaker whose mouth gets him both into and out of trouble. His loquacity leads him to unjustified vanity; he believes himself smarter than he is. Yet he is often as gullible as those he looks down on, and only by continued rationalization does he manage to keep his ego intact. His fundamental conflict is one of repentance: his own mistakes require humility to fix, yet his ego won’t let him remain on bended knee for long.
Pete acts as Everett’s foil, a reluctant follower of Everett’s lead and the voice of common sense in the group. Unable to delude himself the way Everett can, he sees the bad as well as the good, and he doubts that Everett’s schemes will get them out of trouble. He is torn between the promise of treasure and the dangers along the way, and he is quick to blame Everett when his plans go awry.
Delmar is a cheerful simpleton who is happy to follow the others wherever they go. He brings an innocent enjoyment to the group, the only one who appreciates the journey rather than the destination. His firm sense of morality also makes him the conscience of the group. While his limited understanding of the world makes him an unwitting accomplice in a number of dubiously moral deeds, he does manage to keep Everett’s self-interest and capacity for rationalization in check.
The movie is rounded out by one of the best soundtracks to ever grace the silver screen, a beautiful selection of American folk songs performed by capable singers and adroitly used throughout the movie. They are joined by Man of Constant Sorrow, an original composition that steals the show with its memorable tune and heartfelt lyrics. The soundtrack is the final touch that brings the setting to life, that turns a detailed facsimile of the historical South into an immersive, breathing world.
O Brother, Where Art Thou? is a comedy that succeeds on multiple levels. Its engaging setting, entertaining characters, outstanding soundtrack, and epic origins provide it with a depth beyond its superficial humor. Fans of the Coen Brothers should appreciate this as one of their best works, even though it lacks their traditional edge. Watch it if you are looking for a well-crafted adventure, wonderful to tell, with plenty to offer beyond its sense of humor. Skip it if you prefer more straightforward comedy or dislike the Coen Brothers’ quirky tone. 7.8 out of 10 on IMDB.