(O) Othello [HD]

An insightful retelling of Shakespeare's "Othello."
"O" sets the tragedy of "Othello" in a modern high school where Odin James, the only black kid in a high school full of rich white kids, has been brought to the school for his skill on the basketball court. He is about to lead his team through the playoffs, and he has recently won the love of a dean's daughter, Desi. However, the coach's angry son Hugo is also on the team. Neglected by his father and overshadowed by Odin, Hugo forms a vicious plan, resulting in a bloody and all too familiar disaster.

The filmmakers pull no punches and opt for a fairly straight adaptation, doing an admirable job of staying true to the Shakespeare's plot and characters while avoiding his language in favor of an entirely original script. Though rap music, guns, drugs, cars, and the basketball court do figure into the story, these modern trappings never overshadow the human drama. Director Tim Blake Nelson lets his camera tell the story in a refreshingly simple manner,...

"O" is eye-opening and mind-blowing.
Never having seen or read William Shakespeare's play "Othello," I was unsure what to expect from "O," a film that begins somewhat slowly, and then kicks into a higher gear as the plot thickens. This modern update of the classic play pays a great tribute to the work of Shakespeare, while also featuring some very well-wrought performances and a third act that is disturbing and affecting at the same time.

Taking place in Charleston, South Carolina, at the high-class Palmetto Grove prep school, the film begins with a basketball game as Odin James (Mekhi Phifer), brings the team to yet another victory, while the wildly jealous Hugo (Josh Hartnett) looks on from the sidelines. Odin's fame among his teammates and fellow students, not to mention his stable relationship with Desi Brable (Julia Stiles), the daughter of the school's headmaster, enrages Hugo, who keeps his cool and concocts a plan of earning Odin's fame for himself.

At this point, the actors have proved...

Well-worth the wait!
"O" is a film directed by Tim Blake Nelson which is based on the William Shakspeare play, "Othello". Set in a modern-day high school setting, this film is about Odin James (Mekhi Phifer - I STILL KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER), the only black kid in a high school full of white rich students. He was accepted into the school to help the basketball team with his basketball skills. He ends up winning over the dean's daughter, Desi Brable (Julia Stiles - SAVE THE LAST DANCE). Then the coach's son, Hugo Goulding (Josh Harttnet - PEARL HARBOR), becomes jealous of Odin because he used to be the star of the basketball team and get all the attention from his father until Odin showed up. Now Hugo comes up with an evil, bloody plan for revenge that will shock the school with tragedy.

This film was completed in 1998. But due to the recent high school shooting masscarre, it kept getting delayed. But it was definitely worth the wait! Beautifully filmed, gifted, talented young...

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