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O

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O (2001)

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Reviews Counted:123

Fresh:78

Rotten:45

Average Rating:6/10

Consensus: Though well-intentioned and serious in its exploration of teen violence, O is an uneven experiment that doesn't quite succeed.

Runtime: 1 hr 34 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: A contemporary retelling of Othello, Shakespeare's timeless tale of treachery and jealousy, O will perhaps introduce a new audience to the genius of William Shakespeare and some of his most... A contemporary retelling of Othello, Shakespeare's timeless tale of treachery and jealousy, O will perhaps introduce a new audience to the genius of William Shakespeare and some of his most intriguing and tragic characters. Set in an elite private school located deep in the American South, Mekhi Phifer portrays NBA hopeful Odin James, the only black student at the school. Odin not only enjoys widespread popularity with the students, he is dating Desi Brable (Julia Stiles), the beautiful daughter of the Dean of Palmetto Grove Academy (John Heard). Odin's best friend, Hugo Goulding (Josh Hartnett), drawn closely from Shakespeare's nefarious Iago, is a starting forward on the basketball team, and the son of Coach Duke Goulding (Martin Sheen). Hugo has been asked by his father to look out for Odin because of the particular pressures facing him at Palmetto Grove. Yet Hugo is bitterly envious of Odin and the attention Odin receives from the coach and everyone else at school. An introspective and somewhat mysterious young man, Hugo seeks to manipulate those around him to his own private ends. Placed by his own father in the role of Odin confidante, Hugo is, in reality, seeking to destroy the very person he pretends to befriend. As the basketball season comes to a dramatic finish, conflict among the six friends escalates into irrevocable tragedy when Hugo executes a plan prompting Odin to throw away all that he cares about most- the woman he loves, his bright future, his very soul. -- © 2001 Lions Gate Films [More]

Starring: Josh Hartnett, Mekhi Phifer, Julia Stiles, John Heard

Starring: Josh Hartnett, Mekhi Phifer, Julia Stiles, John Heard, Eldon Henson, Andrew Keegan, Rain Phoenix, Martin Sheen, A.J. Johnson, Harold Shumate

Director: Tim Blake Nelson

Director: Tim Blake Nelson
Screenwriter: Brad Kaaya
Producer: Daniel Fried, Eric Gitter
Composer: Jeff Danna
Studio: Lions Gate Films

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Reviews for O

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101 - 120 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

Manages to default its own power by ending on a far more disturbing and insulting note than teenagers getting shot

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
08/30/01
Erik Childress
Erik Childress
eFilmCritic.com

A deft reimagining of a work of classic literature.

Full Review Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel | comment Comment
08/30/01
Todd Anthony
Todd Anthony
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

If you're a teen who's never heard the story of Othello before, O might be something you should see. If not, you already know better.

comment Comment
08/30/01
Luke Y. Thompson
Luke Y. Thompson
New Times

A dress-up movie; it's wearing the adult clothes of the very serious Othello, but it's difficult to take seriously.

Full Review Source: Contra Costa Times | comment Comment
08/30/01
Mary F. Pols
Mary F. Pols
Contra Costa Times

Few filmmakers are willing to examine teens and their problems in such a serious-minded, non-exploitative manner.

comment Comment
08/30/01
Mark Caro
Mark Caro
Chicago Tribune

One of the most emotionally effective versions of Othello yet.

Full Review Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution | comment Comment
08/30/01
Steve Murray
Steve Murray
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

I'm sure that there are many troubled teens today who go to violent extremes to get 'even' -- but is this something an average teen would want to pay money to see?

Full Review Source: BeatBoxBetty.com | comment Comment
08/30/01
BeatBoxBetty.com
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The time has come for Mr. Shakespeare to graduate from high school.

Full Review Source: culturevulture.net | comment Comment
08/30/01
Scott Von Doviak
Scott Von Doviak
culturevulture.net

It neglects the requirements of narrative in favour of allegorical socio-political notions that are simply beyond its reach.

Full Review Source: Film Freak Central | comment Comment
08/30/01
Walter Chaw
Walter Chaw
Film Freak Central

To an astonishing degree, O gets the tragic Shakespeare mood, that somber stentorian passion born of hidden slivers of ambition and betrayal.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | comment Comment
08/30/01
Owen Gleiberman
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly

This is a bumpy ride.

Full Review Source: NUVO Newsweekly | comment Comment
08/29/01
Edward Johnson-Ott
Edward Johnson-Ott
NUVO Newsweekly

An unresolved mixture of gimmickry and good intentions.

Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
08/28/01
Amy Taubin
Amy Taubin
Village Voice

[A] stylish and faithful adaptation.

Full Review Source: Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN) | comment Comment
08/24/01
Bob Bloom
Bob Bloom
Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

A very powerful, thoroughly depressing, well-acted 'non-teen' movie starring a bunch of teens.

Full Review Source: JoBlo's Movie Emporium | comment Comment
08/24/01
JoBlo
JoBlo
JoBlo's Movie Emporium

In this case, unhappily, 'O' stands not so much for 'Othello' as for 'Zero.'

Full Review Source: One Guy's Opinion | comment Comment
08/23/01
Frank Swietek
Frank Swietek
One Guy's Opinion

Hartnett really shines as the oft-overlooked Hugo, who is one of the most likable, admirable antagonists to hit the screen in a while.

Full Review Source: Planet Sick-Boy | comment Comment
08/21/01
Jon Popick
Jon Popick
Planet Sick-Boy

Despite the best efforts of the passionate Mekhi Phifer and the glowering Josh Hartnett (Julia Stiles's performance is a haughty misfire), what's intended as tragic comes off as grotesque.

Full Review Source: Premiere Magazine | comment Comment
08/20/01
Glenn Kenny
Glenn Kenny
Premiere Magazine

Works exceptionally well in a high school setting because so much of the plot fits in with the overheated emotions and impetuousness of adolescence.

Full Review Source: Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies | comment Comment
08/20/01
Nell Minow
Nell Minow
Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies

Will must be chillin' and rappin' in his grave.

Full Review Source: Compuserve | comment Comment
08/17/01
Harvey S. Karten
Harvey S. Karten
Compuserve

It almost works but, because O did not go as far as it should, fails to capture the true drama of Shakespeare's tale of jealousy and fatal deception.

Full Review Source: FilmsInReview.com | comment Comment
08/16/01
Victoria Alexander
Victoria Alexander
FilmsInReview.com
 
 
101 - 120 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 >> >|
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Latest News for O

July 21, 2008: Brush Up On Your Shakespeare With Our List Of The Bard's Best Films
Friends, readers, Tomato-fans, lend me your ears. Not stepping o'er the bounds of modesty, we at RT humbly present to you the Greatest Shakespeare Movies, a list of the Bard's... More...

June 28, 2006: Bosworth and Bloom to Brave the Depression Together
Orlando Bloom and Kate Bosworth are two seriously photogenic young stars who've never worked together. That's about to change. The pair will co-star in a Depression-era drama... More...

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