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| Starring: Mekhi Phifer, Josh Hartnett, Julia Stiles, Andrew Keegan, Martin Sheen, Rain Phoenix, Elden Henson. Director: Tim Blake Nelson Writer: Brad Kaaya Studio: Lions Gate Entertainment Rated: R (for violence, a scene of strong sexuality, language, and drug use) Runtime: 1 hour 35 minutes Year: 2001 For all of the controversey surrounding the film, O could have been released back in 1999 when it was supposed to. It was delayed because of the school shootings, but it really isn't that bad. And for those who don't like spoilers, please avoid this review because it is the only way I can review this film properly. This new adaptation of Shakespeare's "Othello" stars teen idols Josh Hartnett and Julia Stiles, but it is in no way a teen film. This movie covers everything from rape to teen violence in school. Odin James (Mekhi Phifer) is the star basketball player at an exclusive private school as well as the star of the school. He is also dating the headmaster's daughter, Desi Brable (Julia Stiles), and they have a passionate love together, even though he is black. Even the coach of the team, Duke Goulding (Martin Sheen), sees him as his own son. But nothing comes between one man's glory than another man's jealousy. Hugo Goulding (Josh Hartnett) is the son of the coach and a basketball player as well. But this guy's got problems. He's hooked on steriods and is bent on destroying Odin's life because of his jealousy. Along with the help of his girlfriend Emily (Rain Phoenix), who is Desi's best friend, and his best friend Roger (Elden Henson), he creates a disatrious lie that Desi is cheating on Odin with their friend and basketball player Michael (Andrew Keegan). Odin believes this lie and it slowly starts to ruin his life, until he is bent on revenge and bent on killing Michael, much to the pleasure of Hugo. Anyway, the movie has a downer ending that was the reason it was delayed in the first place. Hugo and Roger plan to kill Michael, but it backfires. Michael is shot in the leg and Hugo shoots Roger, killing him instantly. Odin comes into Desi's room pretending he wants to make up, but he strangles her , even though he is ultimately sad about it. After her roomate Emily and Hugo both come in the room, Hugo kills Emily because she has discovered Hugo's devious plot. Odin then tells everyone the real story and then shoots himself. The movie ends with Hugo being arrested. The other reason this movie might have been delayed is a rape scene between Odin and Desi, about in the middle of the movie, that starts the downward spiral of their lives. Other than that, I don't understand why it was delayed for such a long time. And for the second time, just to make it clear, this movie is not a teen movie. The acting in this film is above average. All of the younger actors excel at their roles. Josh Hartnett plays the villian excellently. You are supposed to hate him and you do. Julia Stiles is excellent as usual, she is really shaping herself up to become quite an actress. Mekhi Phifer is also good in his starring role, as are the supporting leads in the film. The movie isn't neccesarily bad, it is just hard to translate Shakespeare into modern language. It still is a good movie though, despite some mistakes and things that just wouldn't happen if it really went on. Overall, for the start of the fall movie season, O is a good way to spend an hour and a half. *** 1/2 stars --Cory Thompson |