Movie Review: "O"

The well-known film, "O" directed by Tim Blake Nelson and written by Brad Kaaya, is a loosely updated adaptation of William Shakespeare's "Othello". The movie was supposed to be originally released in 1999 but was held for several years due to the Columbine high school shooting because of gun violence taken in the film. Placed in a private high school setting, "O", recreates the form of unity between Othello, Cassio, and Iago as they are all members of the army, and in the film, they are members of a basketball team.  O, Oden, is portrayed as Othello who is played by Mekhi Phifer, Hugo, O’s main man, is portrayed by Iago who is played by Josh Hartnett, and Desdemona which is portrayed by Desi in the film which is played by Julia Stiles.

Though this is based off of Shakespeare himself, Kaaya creates a more simple understanding and adapts the story to modern day times, and also creating it to be relatable to young people. O is the outstanding recruited African American basketball player who gets all the glory and praise. The basketball coach, who is Hugo’s father, and also ironically named “Duke”, praises O and believes he is the best; Those feelings trigger what happens to be the most similar characteristic of the two stories, and that is Iago’s villainy.

Oden and Othello are similar in many ways, but one way there is difference is that Nelson fails to show the true humbleness of Othello’s character Oden, simply because in Othello, he is a true and humble man who never betrays. In “O”, Nelson projects Oden to have a strong hardship that leads him to do drugs and have violence in him, causing to fight with Mike at practice. Even though the two are different, they still carry similarity.

Oden’s role on the court as a dominating African American basketball player runs well with Othello’s character. Both are appraised and loved by all, looked up to and respected, which shows the true depth of Shakespeare’s original creation. Phifer portrays the role well as he makes the audience feel the sadness that he is feeling, as well as having sympathy for him because he is being betrayed by Hugo (Iago).

Hugo and Iago carry many similarities as well that show the evil rage buried within. Whether it be Iago wanting Othello’s head position as well as hating him for being suspicious of sleeping with his wife, or Hugo being jealous of Oden because his own father treats him better therefore being rejected and jealous of him on the court having the position he has as MVP. Both show the motives of Iago/Hugo’s wickedness that drives him over the edge to do absolutely whatever he has to do to end “O”. Even more similarities fall into place with his lovely girlfriend Emily (Emilia) that Hugo doesn’t care much for but seemingly likes to use her for his revenge towards Oden. Hugo is just as evil as Shakespeare’s original Iago, which Josh Hartnett portrays very well in every aspect.

Desdemona is one key role in Shakespeare’s “Othello”, and also becoming an important role of Desi in “O” as well. Throughout the play of “Othello” Desdemona is a very loyal sweet sincere woman who loves Othello even when he has attempted to kill her and does eventually kill her. She stays loyal to the end. Just like the film, “O”. Desi is upset with the way Oden has been recently acting and she knows there is something wrong and she cannot fix it, but therefore she stays with him anyways, even on her death bed; one big similarity. Julia Stiles recreates Shakespeare’s original feeling of Desdemona, and makes it come to life in the film, which makes the audience become very heart felt for her, as she is being horridly betrayed just for loving the man of her dreams.

The very controversial film “O” by Tim Nelson has the same plot summary as Shakespeare’s “Othello” just with some minor touches. Giving that it is based in today’s time, with drugs and alcohol, some divisive factors from the original story still carry over and that is what makes it a success. Racism and Sex are two major keys of the story that keeps the ball rolling to have such a traumatic ending that still occur today. Shakespeare is very relevant to any situation upheld today, it just needs a little modification to fit into terms with society today, which Tim Blake Nelson and Brad Kaaya did very well.

 

 

"O" is rated R (Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian) for violence, strong language, drug use

 

O

Directed by Tim Blake Nelson; written by Brad Kaaya, based on Shakespeare's "Othello"; director of photography, Russell Lee Fine; edited by Kate Sanford; music by Jeff Danna; production designer, Dina Goldman; produced by Eric Gitter, Anthony Rhulen and Daniel L. Fried; released by Lions Gate Films. Running time: 91 minutes. This film is rated R.

WITH: Mekhi Phifer (Odin James), Josh Hartnett (Hugo Goulding), Julia Stiles (Desi Brable), Martin Sheen (Coach Duke Goulding), Andrew Keegan (Michael Casio), Rain Phoenix (Emily) and Elden Henson (Roger).