O come Otello

This was generally a good film, well above average but no where near great. It definitely highlights the theme of 'Everything comes full Circle,' which the Title 'O,' implies. It also concentrates on minor themes such as racism and exploits the human emotions of jealousy and love and how it is such a tender thing which can be easily manipulated. It also portrays how dangerous love is ... as we understand that if Odin didn't really love Desi he wouldn't have gone to such extremes when he discovered her 'betrayal.'

Most of the acting was mediocre at best. I am surprised that Julia Stiles (playing Desi Brable) played an important character but had little screen time, her character Desi was also a little nondescript (compared to Shakespeare's version of her character, Desdemona, who is much more interesting and expresses the virtues of goodness and honesty much more effectively). Elden Henson, Andrew Keegan and Rain Phoenix (Roger Rodriguez, Michael Cassio and Emily respectively), playing supporting roles also gave mediocre performances, I found Rain Phoenix especially poor in parts. Mekhi Phifer (Odin James) and Josh Hartnett (Hugo Goulding) give superb performances, both expressing their characters effectively with great skill.

Of course adapting the script from Shakespeare's play would've been difficult but for a better version of Shakespeares' Othello the pace of the film should've been slower and should have concentrated more on the character's and their feelings...this film actually seemed to focus more screentime on action more than it should've...or needed to.

However the tragic tale was efficiently portrayed and extremely well delivered, it's an enjoyable film. The ending was also quite sad and was worthy of the build-up during the film. The tragedy of how Odin was twisted by Hugo into destroying the one thing he truly loved was sickeningly realised. Overall a nice film in its own way.

Watch it! You won't regret it, but in my opinion, some parts of the film could've been much better.

• Milla.

In these dark times when it seems like at least 95 % of all the teen-movies that are made are trying to copy "American Pie", this is the kick in the butt that the genre needs.

Shakespeare's classical play Othello has been somewhat rewritten to fit the silverscreen and the 21st century better. The theme of revenge, love and jealousy remains intact but the settings have been changed. Great actors in the three leading roles (Stiles, Phifer, Hartnett) makes this movie feel alive, and the cursing and violence makes it feel even more real. The ending is scary and sad, and it makes you think for a long time after you've seen it.

Along with "Donnie Darko" and "Ghost World", this is one of the best movies aimed at teens I've seen.

***/****

Mekhi plays the only black basketball player in an all-white high school. Julia Stiles portrays his (dumb) white girlfriend, Desi. Josh Hartnett is Hugo, and he is obsessed with Odin, who his coach dad likes better than him. I watched the one with Lawrence Fishburne, and read the cliff notes last year for class (I'm busy, not stupid!), and the one big difference between this movie and the play is how the characters are written. In the play, Iago (Hugo) is not very emotional or weak. He hates Othello for unknown reasons, and vows to destroy him. In O, Josh Hartnett plays him as somewhat vulnerable and confused. He is motivated mostly by his father's indifference, but a lot of his actions are left ambiguous. He hates and loves Odin, instead of just hating him. The last lines are about him. The story is told mostly from Hugo's oint of view, and compared to the original, Othello is insecure and not very "noble." He's really just a normal kid, but obviously had some kind of complex, and the drugs Hugo gave him made it worse.

Tim Blake Nelson trying his hand at directing decided to tackle a classic Shakespeare play, "Othello". With the help of his adapter, Brad Kaaya, they transferred Venice to South Carolina with mixed results. Mr. Nelson, being an actor himself, got great readings from his mostly young cast.

Bringing Shakespeare to locations other than where the plays were set, presents an unusual challenge for whoever undertakes the risk. In this case, the action occurs in a small prep school in South Carolina where the emphasis is thrown to the basketball team and its star.

Odin James, the role based on Othello, the Moor of Venice, is the main attraction at the basket ball court. Odin, who is black has fallen in love with Desi, or Desdemona, the fair young woman who loves him in return. When Odin selects Michael to be his right hand man at the court, Hugo, the envious son of Coach Goulding, resents being bypassed and begins to plot what to do to get back at O.

The film follows the machinations of Hugo who succeeds in creating a doubt in O by poisoning his mind with tales of deceit and betrayal from both Michael and Desi. That makes Hugo scheme a plan to get rid of his rival, but he can't see what his lies have done to O's soul and the ultimate tragedy this careless young man will bring to his family and to the school.

Mikhi Phifer is good as the tormented Odin, the star of the game who is going to go far because of his natural talent for the game. Julia Stiles, an intelligent presence in anything she does, is effective as the young Desi, whose only fault is having fallen in love with Odin. Josh Harnett, on the other hand, seems to be miscast as Hugo, who is the Iago of the real play. Andrew Keegan is good as Michael. Martin Sheen, John Heard, Rain Phoenix and Elden Henson, are the most prominent figures in the cast.

Tim Blake Nelson shows an affinity for directing. Maybe his new projects will give him an opportunity in which to shine better.

O is clearly the best telling of a Shakesphere tale set in a high school to ever hit the big screen. The cast also shine their roles. Mehki Pfefier in the lead proves his leading man status. While Josh Hartnett makes a wonderful villain and does the best acting in the movie. Juila Stiles plays the female lead very well and Andrew Keegan has a great supporting role. The script is true to life and the direction by Tim Blake Nelson is top notch. I highhly recommned this to everyone. I give it **** out of ****.