O Brother, Where Art Thou?

2000 Comedy

The writing, directing, and producing team of Joel Coen and Ethan Coen created this picaresque comedy (inspired in part by Homer's The Odyssey) set in the Deep South during the Depression. Suave and fancy-talking Everett Ulysses McGill (George Clooney), dim-witted Delmar (Tim Blake Nelson), and easily-excitable Pete (John Turturro) are serving time together on a prison chain gang. Everett knows where $1.2 million is hidden that's theirs for the taking, and the three manage to escape; however, a stranger soon warns them that they'll find treasure, but not the sort they're looking for. As Everett and his partners hit the road, they happen upon a gluttonous bible salesman, Big Dan Teague (John Goodman); meet up with Baby Face Nelson (Michael Badalucco) as he robs a bank; encounter three Sirens doing their washing; run into Everett's estranged wife Penny (Holly Hunter), who has told everyone her husband was killed in a train wreck; find themselves in the middle of a heated campaign between political boss Pappy O'Daniel (Charles Durning), and reformist candidate Homer Stokes (Wayne Duvall); and even find time to make a hit record as The Soggy Bottom Boys. Noted songwriter T-Bone Burnett helped compile the songs (combining vintage country blues tunes with originals in the same style), while Carter Burwell composed the background score. Incidentally, the title O Brother, Where Art Thou? is a reference to the classic Preston Sturges comedy Sullivan's Travels, in which a director plans to make a serious "message picture" with that name. more..

Director: Joel Coen

Starring: George Clooney,John Turturro,Tim Blake Nelson, John Goodman, Holly Hunter

Reviews

  • It's a wild, whacked-out wonder. Coenheads rejoice.

    Peter Travers - Rolling Stone

    26 April 2013

  • A wildly original movie with astonishingly varied moods and influences.

    Michael Wilmington - The Chicago Tribune

    26 April 2013

  • Joyously unhinged and outrageously inventive.

    Edward Guthmann - The San Francisco Chronicle

    26 April 2013

  • A clever and satisfyingly abundant entertainment.

    Jay Carr - The Boston Globe

    26 April 2013

  • The film is worth seeing for George Clooney's performance. More than ever he seems like a Clark Gable for our time.

    Jonathan Foreman - New York Post

    26 April 2013

Awards

  • Best Cinematography

    Academy Awards (2001)

     
  • Best Edited Feature Film - Comedy or Musical

    American Cinema Editors (2001)

     
  • Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role)

    American Comedy Awards (2001)

     
  • Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases

    American Society of Cinematographers (2001)

     
  • T-Bone Burnett

    BAFTA Awards (2001)