User Reviews

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

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Maybe the perfect adventure film, this instant Coen classic is impossible to turn away from. Though it makes no mistake about its influences - an early title card immediately identifies the picture as an adaptation of Homer's Odyssey - the brilliance of O Brother is in its departures from the source material, which come so frequently that the carryovers (the Sirens, the Cyclops, the protagonist's escape from captivity) are celebrated as nods and winks, expected but also unexpected. George Clooney, John Turturro and Tim Blake Nelson are perfectly cast as the charismatic, brainless scoundrels at the story's epicenter, while guest spots from John Goodman, Holly Hunter and Charles Durning take the whole mess over the top. Amazingly rich, sharp-witted, engrossing stuff that's accompanied by an all-time favorite of a soundtrack. Updated thoughts after a 2025 re-watch: Joel and Ethan Coen use one literary throwback to reference another, injecting key elements of Homer’s Odyssey into a Great Depression flight that tracks three roving ex-members of a Mississippi chain gang. In isolation, that concept sounds like a load of overwrought, high-minded nonsense, but in action it’s a charming, one-of-a-kind adventure that’s hooked me for years. Loaded with the Coens’ usual calling cards - rich characters, adept plot, nuanced visual motifs and impeccable timing, not to mention a series of inspired performances from A-list actors - it’s no wonder this works so well. One needn’t be steeped in Greek mythology to appreciate O Brother, nor must they have family connections in the deep south, but it doesn’t hurt. The extra context adds to the fabric, but this ride kicks plenty hard on its own. Under the persistent threat of baying hounds, our three protagonists (George Clooney, John Turturro and Tim Blake Nelson) ramble from one unlikely scenario to another. Tempted by sirens here, assaulted by a cyclops there, they find fame and fortune, lose it, escape untimely ends by pure, dumb luck and immediately commence the whole act over again in a new town. All the while, embracing the cryptic premonitions of a blind oracle from the opening act. There’s an deadly dose of the serious in their predicament, one that’s never discounted, but O Brother is also a consistently, effectively funny film that doesn’t cling or mope. Clooney’s the ringleader in this regard, taking everything so seriously (himself most of all) that it’s impossible to keep a straight face when his best-laid plans inevitably go up like flash paper. Sometimes in a physical sense, others in a poetic one. Turturro and Nelson, to be fair, also hold their own in this respect, albeit with less of a spotlight share. They’re a pitch-perfect set of lead characters who get even better when served together. Beneath all the lush adventures, iambic monologues and sardonic punchlines lies an inescapable musical accompaniment; an excellent introduction to the period’s popular folk, bluegrass and Appalachian stylings. Even if you aren’t a fan of the genre (as I typically am not), O Brother’s soundtrack is so catchy, it’s impossible to resist tapping a toe, shaking a hip and revisiting the whole compilation on Spotify the next morning. A set of essential, resonant selections that touch the soul and move the heart. Thematically appropriate, too, with a demonstrable relevance to damn near every scene. This would still be a good movie with a less-accomplished score, but such perfectly-matched tunes help make it a great one. This is cinematic soul food. A top-notch fable from two acclaimed auteurs at the top of their game, O Brother Where Art Thou pairs gorgeous, sepia-drenched scenery with an up-tempo plot, precise humor, colorful cast, metaphorical riches and magical music. It’s as full a movie-making meal as I think I’ll ever want, and holds a warm place in my heart. Top marks.

This might be a perfect movie. Funny, endearing, beautifully made, exciting, and a wonderful soundtrack. Timeless cult classic.

Intermittently comedic but ultimately tedious, this would-be adventure feels more forced than it ought to with all the talent onboard. Clooney is particularly grating here where he should shine, almost as if the movie was filmed in a rush and they used his first take of every scene. In fact the entire script feels like a first draft when a bit of tightening might have produced something truly great. The soundtrack is fantastic, but it serves a weak film that is big on atmosphere and caricature but low on substance

Never before has Greek mythology been retouched in a modern and at the same time funny way, with its exotic characters. The plot has the humor that has always characterized the Coen brothers. To see George Clooney taking his first steps to maturity.

This movie is a complete mess. It's like they handed a kindergartener cameras, props, and actors and just said "Go Wild". The story is all over the place, and things seem to happen for no reason.

Weird convicts that escape. With no money they try to find treasure. Has some weird comedy as well.

Three convicts escape from a chain gang and set out to retrieve a buried treasure before the area is flooded to make a lake. Along the way they’ll run into a few complications. O Brother, Where Art Thou? doesn’t quite come together narratively as well as the Coen Brothers best movies, but the film-makers quirky style and dark sense of humour are on full display in this delightfully loopy piece of cinema.

It is the younger, smaller brother of "Inside Llewyn Davis" but it's not nearly as good as ILD was. It's a nice comic odissey that results in a barely watchable movie.

This movie is so interesting to watch. There are so many different themes and small details that make this movie unique and cleverly written. On top of that, the acting is great, the jokes are funny, and the movie never stops being engaging. This film deserves nothing short of a 10/10.

It is a comedy and I never laughed, thats funny, isnt it? For me this movie is more an adventure with some weird moments, because the movie wants to be an art and use some symbols, oh how ****. So yes, the movie annoyed me. On the other side I liked the music and how they created the world from the 30s.

One of the greatest films of all time, encompassing American history, southern culture and bluegrass music. Every negative review of this film is simply the racist ranting of a bigot unable to deal with its historically accurate portrayal and finale. If you love bluegrass music, American culture or film at all, you will fall in love with this movie.

Another pretty good Coens film with good acting and writing, though not as consistent as some of their others.

Any film director who decides to try to use material of Homer, Ovid or another classic immediately deserves congratulations for the courage. Even if his effort wasn't positive he tried. I say that because I read Homer and I know how heavy this author can be. Its a kind of literature extremely difficult to adapt. The Coen Brother's went a step further: they took Homer to the cinema in a way that hardly resembles Homer. They put old Greek story into a new context, giving it a different shape. All done with the usual touch of sarcastic elegance that is the signature of these directors. The plot's main idea is simple but takes time to show itself: Everett Ulysses McGill is a convict who decides to flee his labor camp and try to prevent his fiancé from marrying another man. He takes two other prisoners who were fortunately chained together with him. Some moments of the film are very funny and the irony is always there. Sometimes we wonder where are the logic but the film quickly explains most of the illogical moments (except, perhaps, the hundreds of pomade cans that appear throughout the film, which I honestly don't quite understand). In contrary to some critics, I don't think reading "Odyssey" is important to understand this movie, although it helps us to notice some nebulous scenes. The work of the actors is well done but no actor overlaps George Clooney, almost unrecognizable, with an intense southern accent. Well, maybe Tim Blake Nelson is as good as Clooney, thanks to the naive way he played Delmar. Finally, a word of appreciation for the costumes and scenarios, absolutely faithful to the period in which everything happens, as well as the enveloping and animated soundtrack, that gives life to the story.

seeking and bearing for art.. O Brother, Where Art Thou? 2 And A Half Out Of 5 O Brother, Where Art Thou? is a tale of friendship among three free spirited friends who are on run and search for the treasure of peace and freedom. The comic tone in here works which doesn't always come in handy, especially when there isn't much room for it. Having said that, the feature never attains the correct amount of intensity that it anticipated for and the primary reason is the stake projected in here that never reaches to the **** is short on technical aspects like background score, sound effects and editing, although the costume design is suitable with the tone of the feature. The feature doesn't follow a rudimentary process which favors in its side along with its light and breezy tone which it stays true to, throughout the course of it. The screenplay by Coen brothers may not be smart but is surely gripping and hilarious in its own terms. Addition to that, Joel Coen; the director, has done a tremendous job on executing the feature despite of fumbling its way on the dramatic aspects of it. The performance objective is handled decently by the protagonist George Clooney where he is supported by John Goodman and Holly Hunter. O Brother, Where Art Thou? is a confused feature seeking and bearing for art that it never is able to reach for let along grasp it.

It has one of the best movie soundtracks ever, beautiful cinematography, funny jokes, compelling lead characters and strong performances,,,,,,, Should I really care too much about its flaws?!

This film has many clever and witty allegories to its source material, The Odyssey. The three leads work well by themselves and with each other as well as the rest of the cast.

Just my second favorite film of all time. No big deal! There is not an unlikeable character in this film. Even the villains are fondly remembered. Own it!

Fantastically catchy music, quaintly picturesque imagery, and funny-as-hell performances - "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" is the Coen Brothers at their very best.

The plot of this movie is fun in the way that it unravels, and the movie's exaggerations in events and characters is charming as well, but the real star of this movie is the soundtrack. The songs are all so gorgeous, beautifully sung and so evocative, conjuring up a completely different ideal of a lost world in the past that never really existed in the storybook way it appears here. Don't get me wrong, the movie is good too, but the soundtrack will definitely get more replay value with me than the movie will--it's the most exceptional and beautiful part of the film.

The acting is good the directing is good, the film is certainly funny, and the plot is engaging enough to keep up your interest, but it just feels as though there is something missing from this one.

What a great movie this is. The Coen brothers and the rest of the production did a great job. The cinematography is spectacular (thanks to Roger Deakins), and the soundtrack is amazing, they are among the best in any film. And of course the casting was good, Clooney's character is amusing along his co-stars.

The Coen Brothers deliver another classic and unique comedy that explores friendship, accidental fame and a vast amount of unforgettable characters, with George Clooney, John Turturro and Tim Blake Nelson taking centre stage as three escaped convicts on the search for treasure in Depression-era America. As the three convicts, Ulysses Everett McGill (Clooney), Delamar O'Donnell (Nelson) and Pete Hogwallop (Turturro) all have their own intentions in regards to freedom, and their adventures lead them down a road of robbery, music recordings and deals with the devil, with each scene oozing with its own flare and brilliant dialogue. Everett is desperate for the right sort of hair wax and hairnets,while Pete and Delamar decide to get cleansed at a local baptism, they happen across an array of characters including the wonderful John Goodman who is a fast talking biblical salesman and sets his sights on the convicts. As they travel throughout the land in search for their treasure and also trying to evade the authorities, their musical fame and selection of friends may just catch up on them. With an excellent soundtrack and stand out performances, the film will be difficult to forget for its bizarre yet hilarious flow and its band of misfit characters who make their roles their own, Clooney shows the Coen style of his acting as this was the sort of character he played later on in 'Burn After Reading", fast, edgy but hysterical, while Turturro plays a more serious and hardened man, but Nelson is the complete opposite, seemingly a bit of a simpleton, but combined they create quite the trio, stumbling into various avenues of opportunities and luckily evading the law in surprising fashion. The exciting style of the Coen brothers has never been more apparent, their larger than life characters, while most are loosely based on 'Homer's Odyssey', the actor portraying them brings a sense of craze and unique quality to the role. The funniest moments of the film come from the the situations the trio get involved in, whether happening upon a bank robbery or a KKK gathering, Clooney leading the show is brilliant, his characters random bursts of knowledgeable facts are excellent. Excellent comedy and an unforgettable addition to the Coen Brothers filmography.

This film was the best.. They did so terrific on this movie and will continue to be the best till the end of time. The soundtrack is excellent. Everything in this is perfect and just the way it should be, no more and no less.... I would love to see another movie like this be released in the future and of course put alot of work into it casue this one was great and the next one would also need to be great. I love films thats old or old and western style... Just pure excellent. 10/10

This movie connects from beginning to end. My husband, after viewing many times, shared with me this movie homage to "Homer the Odyssey. The actors all connect as if they were family/friends. The music was awesome. The guitar player Chris T King and his father are accomplished musicians. Pappy (Charles Durning) was nominated for two oscars. So many characters connects all to the end. "That's not my ring"...

With the spirit of adventure these 3 prisoners made this movie one of the best comedies of all time. From collisons with police to bi-polar robbers this one hassel of a story makes this an easy classic for all to enjoy

" "O Brother" is less a nostalgic screwball comedy than a highly contrived satire which emphasises the cruelty and absurdity of human existence. " ... So what's the problem? Even if you are a fan of slow paced, existential cinema - and generally avoid screwball comedies - this is worth a watch.

O Brother, Where Art Thou? is a beautifully filmed, hilarious, wild, amazingly original film featuring just fantastic performances from its three consistently funny leads. I give this film 61%.

While it may not be among the Coen Brothers' finest work, O Brother Where Art Thou is an intriguing and original viewing experience. It's a road movie like no other, based on the ultimate adventure story, The Odyssey. There's so much to like about the film - the plot is wacky, the soundtrack a wonderful mix of American folk, and the Great Depression-era world is inhabited by weird and wonderful characters (including George Clooney's verbally dexterous, pomade-haired scoundrel Everett - perhaps his finest on-screen role to date). The Coens give us a rollicking good time right until the end, when a silly finale and some disappointing narrative tie-ups and underwhelming character payoffs threaten to ruin our fun. As a whole though, it's a vastly entertaining film, and only a little shy of the top pantheon of Coen Brothers films.

I don't like coming out of a viewing of a film and feeling like I enjoyed it but knowing something is missing. What makes my experience of O Brother worse is that I cannot figure out why I didn't like it as much as I should have. The acting as always was stellar with George Clooney giving a performance that rivals some of his finest roles (Michael Clayton, Burn after Reading and Up in the Air) as Ulysses Everrett Mcgill a member of a chain gang who orchestrates a prison break so he can get back to his home town so he can regain some treasure in a valley due to be flooded. The Coen Brothers provide a great script that is even more quirky than some of there previous outings (The **** Proxy). The film pretty much has everything it needs to be a good Coen Brothers film with a great supporting cast including John Goodman and Holly Hunter, a great soundtrack and beautiful landscapes (even more so than True Grit). However O Brother doesn't seem like an original thought (and I don't mean because it was loosely based on The Odyssey by Homer). It just seems like the Coen brothers have what they see as a working formula to there films and with this they just followed the recipe with it being very easy to compare the film to there others. Sure I liked the film but this may be the reason I didn't love it. Or perhaps I still haven't figured it out yet.

How anyone could dislike this comic odyssey is beyond me. I still have real affection for these characters, and the film as a whole is a masterpiece. One of the best Coen bros. films.

This may be the only movie that has ever left me seriously tempted to leave the cinema and immediately join the queue for the next show. Structurally, it is a 'road movie', though it borrows the episodic encounters with larger-than-life characters from Homer's Odyssey (including sirens and a cyclops!). But the artful combination of its photography and music with delightful story and characters makes this one of most bewitching and beautiful road movies ever made. The critics seem to find it shallow, though I struggle to understand why. In addition to being genuinely funny and centred upon rich characters, the story includes a fair weight of political satire and a sprinkling of the Coens' strange metaphysical fascinations, with the Devil making his own cameo in the form of a lawman. If this is too shallow, I wonder what comedies the critics have been watching that are so deep? If people are confusing depth for emotionalism, perhaps they should stick to rewatching the English Patient.