Rated: R
Running Time: 1:31
Tabitha's Rating: ***/5
Synopsis:Modern adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello
This is a classic Shakespeare tragedy about love and how jealousy can destroy it. Josh Hartnett plays Hugo, the son of his high school basketball coach. Hugo is jealous of Odin (Mekhi Phieffer), because his father favors him, and even says that he loves him as if he was his own son. Odin and his girlfriend, Desy (Julia Stiles), are in love and seem to be so concrete nothing can tear them apart. Hugo however sees the opportunity to destroy that relationship, and Odin along with it. He creates the illusion that Desy is cheating on him with fellow teammate Michael (Andrew Keegan). Odin however does not know if it is true or not, but the wondering drives him crazy, driving him back to cocaine and even hurting Desy during sex. I won't give away the ending, but keep in mind this is a tragedy, there is no happy ending.
The adaptation from the Shakespeare language to modern english worked very well. They were able to do it while keeping the original characteristics of the characters and storyline the same. Everything about the movie was good, the acting, the soundtrack, etcetera. However, I just cannot grasp the reasoning behind Odin's actions. I do not believe someone in love would do what he did. I simply don't understand the answers to the many Why? I ask myself. That doesn't make it a bad movie, so maybe you'll like it better than myself if you are able to appreciate the tragedy.
