Rating- * * * * (4/5)
In a sea of meaningless, demoralizing teen movies, a film like this stands out as a truly great piece of art. There was a good deal of controversy surrounding this film at the time it was made because of its proximity to the Columbine shootings, so it’s release date landed it mistakenly in late 2001. O is a modern take on Shakespeare’s Othello and places the hero, Oden, as a black basketball star in an all white high school. Oden falls in love with the principle’s daughter, played by Julia Stiles, but is tragically torn from her by a masterful schemer, played by Josh Hartnett, who is hatefully jealous of Oden. The story is very labyrinthine but very faithfully follows the plot of Shakespeare’s tragedy. The acting is very well done, with career-best performances for Hartnett and Stiles and a great bit part by Martin Sheen as the basketball coach. I have to warn you, this is not for the weak of heart because there are some pretty down-right gut-wrenching scenes. Shakespeare makes sure we know what’s coming even though the characters don’t and when it finally happens, it just tears your heart out. If you are a lover of Shakespeare, good drama, good acting, or just need a good cry, this is an excellent film and one of my favorites of the year.