Posted: 09/17/2001

“O”

(2001)

by Hope Villanueva

“By the world, I think my wife be honest, and I think she is not; I think that thou art just, and I think thou art not. I’ll have some proof.”

— William Shakespeare’s Othello

In a period of Hollywood history when every other movie is about things blowing up or big-breasted sixteen-year-olds, Shakespeare seems to be an increasingly popular source for material for screenwriters who desire more to their plots. Unfortunately for the Bard’s reputation, most of these adaptations do not hold up to the modernization process. However, screenwriter Brad Kaaya and director Tim Blake Nelson have made a noble attempt with “O,” resulting in an interesting piece of film.

Brad Kaaya’s brainchild was a result of a long-time desire to write a modernization of Othello. Setting his story in a private high school, Othello becomes Odin James (Mekhi Phifer), the very popular star of the school’s basketball team, despite the fact that he is the only black student enrolled. He is quite content in his life with his devoted girlfriend, Desi (Julia Stiles), and his best friend, Michael (Andrew Keegan), by his side. But in his good fortune, he has acquired a sulking, bitter enemy in Hugo (Josh Hartnett), the coach’s son. Passed over by his own father for attention at home and on the court, Hugo, with the help of Roger (Elden Henson), devises a plan to use Odin’s jealousy and doubts against him, a plan by which Odin will dig his own grave, taking all those he loves with him.

“O” is Tim Blake Nelson’s mainstream directing debut, having previously had his experience in acting (including a notable performance as the slowest member of the wandering trio in O Brother, Where Art Thou). Nelson’s direction is very dark, both in mood and color and he is not afraid to let a tragedy be a tragedy. He makes effective use of music to heighten intensity and leads the characters smoothly from the start to their demise. Take note of his opening and closing operatic music, selected from the opera “Otello.” Kaaya’s script moves quickly, though sometimes making jumps that may have been unclear. The motivations for his leads are clear, but the reason for Roger’s motivation is only mentioned once. Also, the characters of Michael and Emily, Hugo’s girlfriend and Desi’s roommate, are sorely underdeveloped. They feel as though they have been left there simply as vehicles carried over from the original text. However, Kaaya has a clear gift for capturing everyday speech, and doesn’t lose heightened emotion in the process. For greater understanding, try to have read Othello before watching “O.”

Phifer and Stiles create a happy couple in Odin and Desi, one that is both playful and bold. They believe in the strength of their relationship beyond all else. Phifer, of Soul Food and I Still Know What You Did Last Summer is very down to earth and likable as Odin, portraying him with confidence becoming of someone in his position, but not overly arrogant. His transition from loving to raging jealousy could have been more gradual, particularly shown in the handkerchief scene with Desi, but overall, he handles Odin well. His final scene is especially powerful, as he declares with his last breaths that he loved Desi and was twisted and manipulated into harming her. For Julia Stiles, this is the third film of hers to be a Shakespeare adaptation, the first two being 10 Things I Hate About You (a delightful adaptation) and the more recent and disappointing Hamlet, starring Ethan Hawke. Her Desi is not the blushing maiden of Shakespeare’s time, but a spunky modern girl much more able to defend herself than Desdemona could have in the play. Julia Stiles fans will be pleased with her performance, though not overly spectacular, while anti-Stiles viewers may find her a bit ordinary. Josh Hartnett, however, is the driving force behind the story as Hugo. After this summer’s Pearl Harbor, audiences may doubt Hartnett’s talents or box him in as a “nice guy” type, but with his dark eyes and brooding stillness, he plays quite the villain. Martin Sheen makes a wonderful, though too short, appearance as Coach Goulding. And keep your eyes open for Elden Henson, from all three The Mighty Ducks movies, as Hugo’s little peon, Roger.

Almost as interesting and just as important to note is the production history of this film. “O” was shot two years ago, before many of its stars were names. Then, in a true case of bad timing, as the film was preparing to be released, two students rampaged their way through Columbine High School. The Columbine incident filled the newspapers and suddenly studio heads felt that a movie about a handful of students planning a revenge killing was in horribly bad taste. They felt that it was in such bad taste that studio executives attempted to have “O” permanently shelved. Determined to get their movie out there, Kaaya and Nelson bought the rights to their own film back and resold the film to Lions Gate, its current distributors.

Audiences continue to disagree as to whether “O,” with its violent content, should have been released. Yes, this is a mature and moderately graphic film, depicting young people doing some horrendous things. Yes, it does look at the dark side of human nature, as does the example of the play. And yes, it does not have a happy, uplifting or even reassuring ending. But “O” does not condone or glamorize the manipulation of Hugo or the vicious behavior he incites. Just the contrary is true in that “O” presents us with the weaknesses in our relationships and the evils that people can do to one another, including the consequences that result. And without looking at evil deeds and scrutinizing them, those problems can never be solved.

Hope Villanueva is a theatrical jack-of-all-trades based in Los Angeles, constantly looking for artistic fulfillment and faster ways to navigate the 405 and 10 freeways.

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