Review of O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Introduction

Coming from one of the most unique and inventive talents in filmmaking today, the Coen brothers have yet again produced another cinematic curioso in a field usually lacking in originality. Based very loosely on Homers Odyssey, ‘O brother’ sees George Clooney as ‘Everett Ulysses Mcgill’ and his fellow inmates ‘Delmar’ Tim Blake Nelson and ‘Pete’, John Turturro escaping from a road gang to find Everetts buried treasure. Of course nothing is what it seems in a Coen brothers film and so the unruly characters must complete their spiritual journey through the depression hit deep south while contending with all manner of folk, including the Cyclops and sirens straight from Homers epic Odyssey. (The classical parallels are far too lengthy to include here)

That’s not to say you need to know the classical work to enjoy it although it does help. O brother is
Intrinsically a comedy and works as such. Clooney is superb as the quick talking, hair obsessed Everett (again parallels with the classical Odysseus) as are the rest of the cast. Dialogue is the usual high, witty standard we expect from the Coen brothers, as is the superb cinematography. Just look at those wonderful sepia like hues which pervade throughout the film. Suprisingly the film is also a musical of sorts although don’t expect the usual out burst of song like so many Hollywood musicals. The music is interwoven with the plot so it doesn’t overwhelm in any way.
This film works on so many levels that repeat viewing is essential. I’m sure movie buffs will be deconstructing this film for many a year to come. And if it means more people will read the classical text, the more the better. The Coen Brothers do it again with this entertaining if slightly odd musical/comedy with classical undertones.
It’s a Coen through and through.

Video

The anamorphic picture here is presented in 2:35:1 ratio and I must say it is an absolute beauty. First thing that you’ll notice is the superb use (or lack) of colour. Although starting in black and white, the brother’s Coen have processed the colour palette to give it a rich autumnal sepia quality that is quite beautiful. The bright blue skies contrast with the yellow and orange fields, and the muted browns to give an olde world feel which as we find out in the film isn’t quite what we would expect.
With no colour bleed, digital artifacts or nicks and scratches this really is a pristine print. Everything is superbly rendered with plenty of detail, deep, rich colours and lots of contrast. This print looks better than when I saw it in the cinema. The only fault I could find was a little bit of shimmering which really isn’t that noticeable.
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Audio

The audio side of things isn’t quite up to the same standard as the video quality but it does its job very well. There is nothing particularly wrong with the 5.1, mix its just that it doesn’t quite get going as well as you would like it to.
Everything is rendered very well from the full musical set pieces to the heavy dialogue scenes. The mix is always clear and distinct with good use of ambient noises (wind and crickets) in the rear, and the gentle rush of wind in the wheat fields. I think the problem is that the mix seems a little too centre based where you would expect more dynamic use of the left and right speakers. The sub doesn’t get a lot to say either with only the occasional rumble from a thunderstorm and such like.
This never was going to be a full out action soundtrack to show your system off with but it does its job well with no problems. The key word here would be subtle, which fits the look of the film if not the escapades of its characters.

Features

Oh brother where art thou extras? Well certainly not on this DVD that’s for sure. How good would it be to have a Coen Brothers commentary or at least a decent in-depth making of?
What we’re stuck with is an assortment of adverts in the all cunning guise of trailers and tv spots and a series of cast and crew interviews with the most annoying intercut between interviews ever.
The interviews are not the most interesting things you’ll ever see either, with the Coen Brothers piece probably being the highlight.
The only saving grace is the animated menus with each being suitably themed from different bits of the film.

Conclusion

An excellent quality print only let down by an inadequate selection of extras. Whether you like Coen brother films or not you have to admit they put on a good show. ‘O brother where art thou?’may not be one of the best or accessible releases from the brothers but I’m sure that film studies students and the such like will be studying this curious film for a long time to come. Definitely worthy of a viewing for the average movie fan and a must for all those Coen Brothers fans out there.