O (US)

6 / 10
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Trust. Seduction. Betrayal
Certificate: R
Running Time: 94 mins
Retail Price: $24.99
Release Date:

Synopsis:
Hot young stars, a hip, driving soundtrack, plus a provocative tale of jealousy and betrayal combine to create this controversial modern-day version of Shakespeare`s classic, "Othello." O is Odin James (Mekhi Phifer), the school`s star basketball player and future NBA hopeful. Even though he`s the only black student at the elite Palmetto Grove Academy, he has the adoration of all, including the team`s coach (Martin Sheen) and the Dean`s beautiful daughter, Desi (Julia Stiles). Odin`s troubled friend Hugo (Josh Hartnett), the coach`s son, is deeply resentful of his father`s preference of Odin on and off the court. When Hugo plots a diabolical scheme to sow the seed of mistrust between O and Desi, it sets in motion a disturbing chain of events which erupts into a firestorm of breathtaking intensity. "O" is a stunning tale that will stay with you long after its final, powerful frame.

Special Features:
Director`s Commentary
Trailer

Disc Two:
Cast and Crew Interviews
Deleted Scenes with Commentary
Comprehensive Analysis of Key Basketball Scenes
The Newly Restored Classic Film Othello

Video Tracks:
Widescreen Anamorphic 1.85:1
Pan & Scan 1.33:1

Audio Tracks:
Dolby Digital 5.1 English

Subtitle Tracks:
English
Spanish
CC: English

Directed By:
Tim Blake Nelson

Written By:


Starring:
Andrew Keegan
Elden Henson
Julia Stiles
Josh Hartnett
Mekhi Phifer

Casting By:
Avy Kaufman

Soundtrack By:
Jeff Danna

Director of Photography:
Russell Lee Fine

Editor:
Kate Sanford

Costume Designer:
Jill M. Ohanneson

Production Designer:
Dina Goldman

Producer:
Tom Tucker
Anthony Rhulen
Brad Kaaya
Lisa Gitter
Eric Gitter
Daniel Fried
Zack Estrin
Betsy Danbury

Executive Producer:
William Shively
Michael I. Levy
Stephen A. Kepniss
Fred Goodman

Distributor:
Trimark Pictures

Your Opinions and Comments

6 / 10
I`m reviewing the region 2 disk (which is unavailable in the UK at the moment) and not the region 1 2-disk set.
Shakespeare or no Shakespeare, this movie is no good. The cast is dreadful, but most importantly, the script doesn`t give them anything to do. Anything at all.
The character development curve for each of the characters is as flat as it can get.
The video transfer is average. While there are not that many compression signs (though some are visible), the framing is all wrong and there seems to be a gap between where the actual film ends and where the matte begins. To top it all, the picture is a bit blurry at times.
The DD 5.1 soundtrack is OK. The surrounds aren`t used very frequently, but the movie does not require them to do so.
The menus are still with sound.
The extras include some interviews and 5 deleted scenes.
Bottom line - rather than be called "O", this movie is much closer to being a "0". Avoid.
posted by Zvi Josef on 23/6/2002 18:34