O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?
--------------------------

Ulysses Everett McGill (George Clooney, "Three Kings") takes his ball and chain mates Delmar (Tim Blake Nelson, "The Thin Red Line") and Pete (John Turturro, "Rounders") on an escape from a 1930s Mississippi hard labor camp. The three embark upon an adventurous road trip in a race against time as Everett's gold is buried in an area slated to be flooded by the Tennessee Valley Authority in Joel and Ethan Coen's "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"

LAURA:

The Coen brothers excel at recreating American film genres and styles. The ambitious "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" bears more than a passing resemblance to its namesake, Preston Sturges' "Sullivan's Travels" (it was the name of the serious film comedy director John L. Sullivan (Joel McRea) wanted to make in that film before he discovered the value of comedy).

The threesome are immediately in hot water when Pete's cousin, whom they went to for shelter, turns them in. ('Damn, we're in a tight spot!' pronounces Everett.) Menancing Sheriff Cooley (Daniel Von Bargen, "The General's Daughter") and his pack of bloodhounds is never far behind them from this point on. After stealing a car, they pick up a black blues guitarist, Tommy Johnson (Chris Thomas King), hitchhiking at crossroads in the middle of nowhere after selling his soul to the devil. After a brief interlude where Delmar and Pete get baptized they're cutting a record at a remote radio outpost as the Soggy Bottom Boys. Unbeknownst to them, their record climbs the charts as they cross paths with Baby Face Nelson (Michael Badalucco, "Summer of Sam"), lose Pete to a trio of river Sirens (Delmar's convinced they've turned him into a toad), get beaten and robbed by a maniacal bible salesman, Big Dan Teague (Coens' vet John Goodman), and rescue Tommy from the Ku Klux Klan in a scene straight out of the "Wizard of Oz!" Then there's the film's double climax as Governor Pappy O'Daniel (Charles Durning) challenges rival Homer Stokes (Wayne Duvall, "The Deep End of the Ocean") at a political rally while Everett attempts to woo back his wife Penny (Holly Hunter) followed by the final showdown with Sheriff Cooley.

The film is surreally funny, featuring oddball Coen humor such as Baby Face Nelson shooting at cattle ('Oh George, not the livestock!' wails Delmar) and Everett's constant search for his brand of hair pomade (Dapper Dan's). While it doesn't reach the heights of the Coens' very best ("Fargo," "Millers Crossing," "Blood Simple") because of its meandering ways, it's a solid middle effort with charm to spare.

George Clooney channels the comedic charm of Clark Gable in a stylized, yet pitch perfect performance. Preening in a mirror or issuing the goofiest of dance moves as a Soggy Bottom, Clooney fits into the Coen brothers' brand of comedy like a custom tailored suit. Tim Blake Nelson, known more for his writing/directing skills behind the camera ("Eye of God"), is sweetly stupid as the trusting, animal loving Delmar (butterflies are always drawn to this character). John Turturro is the high strung, manic member of the threesome. Of the supporting players, Stephen Root (TV's "Newsradio") gets some mileage out of a brief appearance as a blind radio station manager while Durning blusters and flusters as Pappy O'Daniel with his two yes men and lookalike son Junior (Del Pentecost). Other cast members mostly go through the motions.

The film is beautifully shot in a golden glow by the Coens' frequent cinematographer Roger Deakins ("Fargo"). T Bone Burnett provides the authentically antique sounding music.

B