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O Brother, Where Art Thou? on DVD (2000)

O Brother, Where Art Thou? cover art
Average rating: 76%
1112281120713
3.5
from 6,666 members
 
Starring: George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, John Goodman, Charles Durning, Holly Hunter, Michael Badalucco, Wayne Duvall, Stephen Root, Ed Gale
Director: Joel Coen
Studio: MOMENTUM PICTURES
Run time: 103 mins
Certificate: 12
User collections: A weekend in..., Personal Favourites, Harley's TOP 10 Movies, 50 more jolly good films, Pab's list, Some of my favourite DVD's, Izzy's Eclectic Really Worth Watching List, Favourite directors, Yet another "My Top Films" list that probably nobody will be interested in..., 1001 Movies YMSBYD Part 10
Genres: Comedy
Languages: English
Subtitles: English
Released: 05/11/2001

Showing in 1 cinema

Brief synopsis of O Brother, Where Art Thou?

In the Depression-era deep South, three escapees from a Mississippi prison chain gang: Everett Ulysses McGill, sweet and simple Delmar, and the perpetually angry Pete, embark on the adventure of a lifetime as they set out to pursue their freedom and return to their homes. With nothing to lose and still in shackles, they make a hasty run for their lives and end up on an incredible journey filled with challenging experiences and colorful characters. However, they must also match wits with the cunning and mysterious lawman Cooley, who tracks men, bent on bringing the trio back to the prison farm.

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Critics Reviews

Rating of 4 stars out of 5 Radio Times

“Based upon Homer's Odyssey” runs the opening title, which — as well as setting the tongue-in-cheek tone of this Coen brothers' comedy — also happens to contain more than an element of truth. The eighth collaborative effort produced and directed by Ethan and Joel Coen concerns the attempts of escaped convict Ulysses Everett McGill (George Clooney, nicely self-mocking) to get back to his wife Penny (Holly Hunter in a cameo appearance), and the picaresque adventures he has on the way. The title derives from Preston Sturges's 1941 movie Sullivan's Travels, whose humorous spirit hangs over this episodic tale. The movie also contrives to encapsulate every con-on-the-run picture one has ever seen, as well as southern period crime dramas. Yet again, the Coens' cinematic alchemy has worked a treat.

Rating of 3 stars out of 4 Halliwell's Film Guide

No one, least of all its makers, would take seriously the claim that this is based on Homer: rather it journeys through more modern American myths and legends with a lightly satirical touch and enormous charm; it comes closer than most modern movies to re

Time Out

The title alludes to Preston Sturges and evokes the engagingly anarchic, almost throwaway tone and setting of the... Read more on www.timeout.com

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Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 4 starsMarvellous, Different and Hilarious

Niky from Brent , 01/12/2003

Set during the Great Depression, this movie follows three convicts as they escape from prison and set about trying to find buried treasure. The three characters encounter a variety of adventures along the way and their convincing stupidity makes it all the more funny. There is a whole plethora of gospel songs throughout which make you feel really good and make you want to buy the soundtrack. This movie is far different to anything else you might find and I thoroughly recommend it if you want a break from the usual movies available out there.

  16 out of 23 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsCloontastic

matty Bean from Leeds UK , 14/05/2004

What a top film..Not being a fan of the medical drama sex symbol, George Cloony completely surprised me with his often hilarious portrayal of a hapless fugitive on the run,with two equally animated but dozy mates in tow.

The soundtrack is awesome as is the spellbinding and often surreal sequences(Look out for the dreamy scene where the sexy sirens lure them to misfortune)

Check it out!!!

The soundtrack album is definately on my christmas list.

  9 out of 11 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsSurreal and funny

Gordon Walker from Northern Ireland , 07/06/2004

Set in what appears to be a version of 1930's-40's America, O Brother Where Art Thou tells the story of Everett (Clooney), Pete and Delmar who have just escaped from a chain gang. Their goal is the retrieval of $1.2 million before its hiding place is lost forever to the flooding of a valley in an electrification project.

Their adventures lead through a series of bizarre confrontations with the Klu Klux Klan, Bible salesmen, blind prophets, sirens, preachers, gansters and many others. There are no logical connections between these things except that they are the sort of surreal happenings that seem to attract themselves to the three moronic leads.

The dialogue is sharp, intelligent and hilarious. The performances spot on, Clooney perfectly inhabits the verbally over-developed Everett and John Tuturro and Tim Blake Nelson complement him perfectly. The music is spot on giving precisely the right atmosphere.

  7 out of 8 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 4 starsSomething different

Jimmycrackcorn from Berkshire , 18/06/2004

If you're not afraid to try something a little off the beaten track then I can definitely recommend this movie. George Clooney is excellent, his smooth patter continually gets the escaped convicts in and out of trouble. The supporting actors are all very good and

the soundtrack captures the mood and feel of the film perfectly.

Although this Coen brothers film doesn't have the same dark edge and equally dark humor of Fargo, it is very entertaining.

  7 out of 9 people found this review helpful
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Most Recent Reviews

Rated - 5 starsBrilliant copy of the oddesy

Fergus Smith from UK , 27/08/2005

Funny, brilliant acting, magical music and memorable scenes

  3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsGeorge Rocks!

Roon from London , 22/04/2006

This is one of my favourite films. I love the Coen Brothers and when you add George Clooney, who has proved to be a fine comic actor, a great cast including Holly Hunter and wonderful music you have a funny touching and throughly enjoyable film.

  3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
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