Review of O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) by Jordanp — 15 Apr 2011
This may be the only movie that has ever left me seriously tempted to leave the cinema and immediately join the queue for the next show. Structurally, it is a 'road movie', though it borrows the episodic encounters with larger-than-life characters from Homer's Odyssey (including sirens and a cyclops!). But the artful combination of its photography and music with delightful story and characters makes this one of most bewitching and beautiful road movies ever made.
The critics seem to find it shallow, though I struggle to understand why. In addition to being genuinely funny and centred upon rich characters, the story includes a fair weight of political satire and a sprinkling of the Coens' strange metaphysical fascinations, with the Devil making his own cameo in the form of a lawman. If this is too shallow, I wonder what comedies the critics have been watching that are so deep?
If people are confusing depth for emotionalism, perhaps they should stick to rewatching the English Patient.
This review of O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) was written by Jordanp on 15 Apr 2011.
O Brother, Where Art Thou? has generally received very positive reviews.
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