“O”
details the methodic manipulation of black high school basketball
star Odin (Mekhi Phifer) by the jealous coach’s son Hugo (Josh
Hartnett) into believing that Odin’s girlfriend Desi (Julia
Stiles) has been cheating on him. This spirals out of control and
into tragedy.
CRITIQUE
Film fans know by now that O was a film surrounded by
controversy which led to many delays for its theatrical release.
In the wake of Columbine, the straightforward adult themes of this
contemporary teen film updating of William Shakespeare’s
Othello probably did seem like a problem. The film’s original
studio, Miramax, finally sold the film to independent Lions Gate
Films. Considering the quality of the film, Miramax may now feel
they’ve made a mistake.
In my opinion, O is the best teen drama ever made for many
reason. Tim Blake Nelson, better known as an actor (O Brother,
Where Art Thou?), directs from a script by Brad Kayya. Both of
those aspects of the film should be noted. The script works on so many
levels. It is a faithful adaptation of Othello in many ways,
sometimes lifting lines from the play. It is also outstanding in its
unglamorous presentation of violence, drug use, and sex. There is no
patronizing of high school culture in the way these scenes are staged,
written, or filmed. The translation of war from the play into
basketball for the film feels a natural one given the changes of the
setting.
One would have a hard task to find another background for the story
that would compare to war except sports. No doubt some stodgy critics
will always balk at an updating of Shakespeare, but the play’s spirit
and themes clearly provide the framework here. With the expansion of
the Duke character (Martin Sheen) into the coach and father of Hugo,
ample motivation has been presented for Hugo’s actions in the form of
missing paternal affection.
O
is powerful and relevant, especially when compared to other teen
dramas.
THE VIDEO
This 2-disc set
allows viewers to choose the pan-and-scan full screen or the 16:9
anamorphic widescreen options. Both preserve the solid theatrical
print’s color, though widescreen is always better for
cinematography.
THE AUDIO
This film is
presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 with English and Spanish
subtitles available. The sound of the film, like the intricate
basketball scenes, is very clear in this format.
THE EXTRAS
Director’s
Commentary-
Tim Blake Nelson offers a track that provides insightful
comments about the mise-en-scene, staging, and shooting of the
film. He points out things you would never notice otherwise,
such as the use of a red, white, and blue motif throughout the
school.
Deleted Scenes-
Nelson also comments on a set of four deleted scenes if the viewer
chooses. These scenes are good in themselves and Nelson offers
convincing reasons for their elimination from the final cut. It is
mostly for pacing purposes.
Interviews-
This features Nelson and the three main cast members briefly
discussing the film. The main topics of discussion are the characters,
the message of the film, and drug use in the film.
Basketball Scene
Analysis-
The most interesting special feature may be this one. Nelson and
cinematographer Russell Fine offer for the three main basketball
scenes in the film. Fine describes how a combination of cranes,
unusual for sports scenes, and handheld camera work combined to make
these scenes outstanding. The audience also learns the interesting
facts that the second basketball scene was always going to be cut to
music and that the third was shot in a way to emphasize the game’s
physicality to be compared to war.
Trailers-
This is a selection of trailers, O’s and six others from Lions
Gate. The one for O is well done.
Othello (1922)-
There is
also the full-length 1922 silent film version of Othello, which
is an interesting watch, with its title cards of Shakespeare and
exaggerated acting.
FINAL THOUGHTS
O is an exceptional
film and the quite good DVD presentation will only enhance the viewing
experience. As a whole, it’s a powerful teen drama that comments on
realistic issues confronting American teens and society in general
today. And it’s all filtered through a Shakespearean story. You can’t
go wrong with this film.
