I get just the biggest kick out of this picture. So much so that I regularly listen to the film's soundtrack and have been inspired to memorize the words to 'The Big Rock Candy Mountain". That song singularly captures the whimsical nature of the picture, and prefaces the adventurous escapades of our hero trio - 'In the Big Rock Candy Mountain, all the jails are made of tin, and you can walk right out again as soon as you are in.'
Not being a fan of George Clooney, I thought he did an exceptional job here as the nominal leader of the chain gang misfits that make a break for it on the road to fame and fortune. It's only later that we come to realize that Everett's quest is really to reunite with his wife and kids, and dispel the notion that he was hit by a train. Clooney's given all the best lines by virtue of his good looks and snappy delivery, and his 'dumber than a bag of hammers' line is one I'm apt to use from time to time myself.
So everyone knows by now that the story is based on Homer's 'Odyssey', but I haven't heard anyone yet make a connection to one of my favorite childhood films. Remember when Everett, Pete (John Turturro) and Delmar (Tim Blake Nelson) pop up over the hedge and join the procession at the Klan rally. Wasn't it oddly reminiscent of "The Wizard of Oz"? The only thing missing was Delmar trying to tuck a tail underneath his robe. And say, didn't Pete look a lot like the scarecrow?
To sum it up - good story, cool characters, witty dialog and a great musical score make this a favorite of mine, and probably the first Coen Brothers film to get my attention enough to seek out their other pictures. This one though is the one I'll keep coming back to watch again and again, it's that entertaining.
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
2000
Action / Adventure / Comedy / Crime / Music
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
2000
Action / Adventure / Comedy / Crime / Music
Plot summary
In the deep south during the 1930s, three escaped convicts search for hidden treasure while a relentless lawman pursues them. On their journey they come across many comical characters and incredible situations. Based upon Homer's 'Odyssey'.
Uploaded by: OTTO
August 19, 2012 at 05:55 PM
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720p.BLU 1080p.BLUMovie Reviews
"...it's a fool that looks for logic in the chambers of the human heart."
Great
I realize this movie came out 18 years ago, but I wasn't on IMDb then. Did IMDb even exist? I don't know. But as I'm sitting in the barbershop right now, this movie is being played on the tv right now, and I'm reminded how much I love this movie. In my opinion, one of the best comedies ever made. I know it's not for everyone (I have friends who hate it), but it's a classic to myself and some others I know. Excellent writing and acting.
Master Storytellers
Those Coen brothers' movies really do grown on you. I had just seen Fargo when I rented this. It is one of the most creative, off the wall films I have ever seen. As these characters bumble their ways after a prison break, they are embraced by a series of the most unconventional personages ever to hit filmdom. And one gets turned into a frog--sort of. their flirtations with fame, the Klan, a cyclops, and all the other episodes, make this a hilarious romp. George Clooney's Ulysses is an obsessive, full speed ahead, damn the torpedoes, coupled with the charming half-wittedness of his fellow travelers, works at every level. Like Greek poetry, he is butting heads with the gods, but despite setbacks, keeps moving. It is story telling with charm and a load of bull. Everyone is some kind of philosopher, but the words come out of gap toothed, shaved headed hillbillies. And, of course, Clooney has hell to pay. I could watch this over and over again. And then there's the really cool music. I didn't even mention that!