O
Released: August 31, 2001
We've been given quite a few retellings of Shakespeare's plays in the last several years. Like Baz Luhrmann's 1996 breakout hit "Romeo + Juliet", this version of Shakespeare's "Othello" is told within the framework of a modern day setting. For "O", the story is set in an upper class high school where Othello is represented by Odin James, the only black student in a school flooded with a bunch of white kids. James is played masterfully by Mekhi Phifer (amazing in Spike Lee's 1995 pic "Clockers"). He is the high school team's MVP basketball player, seemingly battling all odds and making an effort to escape his less than glowing past. It would seem the school's star player would be loved by all - but such is not the case - especially in a Shakespeare story where it just ain't Shakespeare unless someone has a grudge against someone else. The center of the conflict rests upon James's white girlfriend Desi, as played by Julia Stiles. Setting up the tragedy are Andrew Keegan (whom Stiles acted with in 1999's "10 Things I Hate About You"), Josh Hartnett and Elden Henson (Rachel Leigh Cook's brother in "She's All That"). Also starring and giving extremely good performances are Martin Sheen (who gives his role such sheer energy it looks like he'll have a heart attack at any moment ala "Apocalypse Now"), John Heard and Rain Phoenix (real life sister of Joaquin and the late River Phoenix). What gives "O" its edgy feel is the skillful direction from Tim Blake Nelson, who you'll recall seeing in the Coen brother's "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" as Delmar, in George Clooney and John Turturro's gang of prison breakers. He is actually a very good director in addition to his seamless acting abilities. He has written and directed three movies previous to "O" and is definitely an acting and directing talent to watch for in the future. Rather than letting the movie simply become shrouded in overt nods to Shakespeare, Blake Nelson lets the Brad Kaaya adaptation of the play stand as a tribute to the source material instead of trying to transform it to a blunt retelling, which wouldn't have succeeded. As mentioned, Phifer is perfect in this role and is complimented by the caliber of his co-stars Stiles, Hartnett and Keegan.
The biz: Lacking any testicular aspirations yet again, Miramax (a division of Walt Disney) decided to ditch this film due to heat from its parent company. "O" was actually completed and ready for release in early 1998 but then the Columbine shootings happened. The cowardly studio shelved the film. Rather than just releasing it, the studio thought they'd play it safe. Strangely enough, this movie does anything but glamorize violence. We are, as viewers, sickened by the evil deeds of Hartnett's character and certainly are given no signs that this sort of thing is a good idea. In the end, no one gets away with it. Even those tenuously involved are affected by the killings. Miramax did the same safe pussy move with Kevin Smith's "Dogma". In both cases it was Lions Gate that stood up and released these films, as they have done with other "hot" movies like "American Psycho" and "Lolita". Kudos to Lions Gate!
Also, both the MPAA and Canadian ratings boards slapped this movie with an R. As with "Men Of Honor" (with Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Robert De Niro) - a perfectly good movie for young adults - is off limits to them. While our self-appointed censoring teams have no problem letting kids see "Swordfish" or "American Pie 2", far be it for them to be able to see movies that are uplifting ("Men Of Honor") or offer well crafted moral tales ("O") despite the fact they contain bad things. Well, life HAS bad things in it. Shielding kids from badness hasn't yet stopped the badness from rising to all time highs. So, I'd recommend this movie to teens 13 and above as well as adults. It's a universal story that is no less effective in purpose or meaning regardless of the age its viewers.
95 Minutes
Lions Gate Films