Review of O (2001) by Michael M — 04 Dec 2015

Isabel Stallings The Kinkaid School.

English 10-D December 3, 2015.

Othello Movie Review.

When I watched the movie "O", it helped better my understanding of the plot in Shakespeare's Othello. I believe all students who read and or study this novel should watch the movie after they read the novel because it puts an interesting understanding of the play. I think the movie did a good job explaining the plot with a modern twist. I think on this debate, watching the movie AFTER you read would help, but I think the students should at least read the play and attempt to understand it before they watch the movie.

I would give the movie an eight out of ten because it helps describe the plot while still showing the controversy of this show. Also, it gives a good modern twist while staying almost identically true to the plot. Although, it doesn't go into much detail on the relationship of Iago and Emilia. Iago tells Emilia to shut up a few times but it's not nearly as problematic as it was explained in the novel. It misses that key point in the plot and that's one of the parts of the movie I missed and did not enjoy. Also, the movie forgets to include the true rage Iago has against Othello. The film does not go much into detail about his true rage or motive. I understand it is a part of the mystery to guess Iago's true motive but I feel like it left the audience guessing too much. However, I enjoyed how the movie included how despicable Iago truly is. Also, it includes a conversation between Othello and Desdemona that is not in the book. It is when Desdemona exclaims to Othello that if he thinks she is cheating on him, he should come out and ask. Which I think showed reverence to more modern times because that conversation most likely would have happened today rather than the time period during the play.

I would rate the book of Othello an eight and a half out of ten. I think it was an excellent tragedy but everyone's death felt rushed at the end of the play. I had never read one of Shakespeare's tragedies before this but overall it had a very advanced and well thought out plot. I think it was not too difficult to comprehend once I got the hang of the wording and Iambic pentameter but it was a little tricky when we started. Overall, I enjoyed the movie and script version of Shakespeare's Othello.