In December of 2000, the Coen brothers released what I think is not only their greatest movie, but THE greatest movie of all time.

“O Brother Where Art Thou?” is a movie that really contains just about everything. Do you like adventure? That’s this movie. Do you like comedy? That’s also this movie. Do you like musicals? This movie’s soundtrack is one of the very few movie soundtracks to win the Grammy for Album of the Year, so I’d say you might enjoy it.

“O Brother” follows the misadventures of three prisoners escaped from a chain gang in Depression-era Mississippi. It is loosely based on Homer’s Odyssey. Everett (George Clooney) , Delmar (Tim Blake Nelson) and Pete (John Turturro) must reach some treasure (a million dollars stolen by Everett in an armored truck hold-up) before the state floods the valley it’s buried in. A blind prophet on a handcar tells them they will find a treasure, though it will not be the treasure they seek. Oh, and that they will see a cow on the roof of a cotton house.

Along the way, the trio meet Tommy Johnson, a Black blues singer who claims to have sold his soul to the Devil for his guitar skills. He tells them of a man who will pay them $10 each to “sing into his can.” They tell the radio man, who is blind, that they are the Soggy Bottom Boys, and they sing and get the money. The song, “Man of Constant Sorrow” becomes a hit, which the Soggy Bottom Boys are completely ignorant of. They soon separate from Tommy on their journey.

On their journey towards the treasure, the trio encounter gubernatorial election shenanigans, Baby Face Nelson and his hatred of the local cattle, and sirens who seemingly turn Pete into a “horny toad” (they really turn him in for the bounty). They also encounter a one-eyed Bible salesman, who robs them and kills Pete the toad.

Everett and Del arrive to see Everett’s estranged wife, who has told everyone he got run over by a train. She is now engaged to Vernon Waldrip, who is “bonafide” and plans to take their daughters with her. They find that Pete is very much alive and not a toad, and free him from prison again. Everett is forced to admit to Pete and Del that there is no treasure, and the only reason they are there is so Everett can get his wife back.

The trio stumble on a secret KKK (remember, this is Mississippi in the Depression) meeting led by popular governor candidate Homer Stokes, and discover that the Klan has Tommy in their clutches and are preparing to lynch him. They rescue Tommy, and head to the party downtown in disguise to get Everett’s wife back. The group sings “Man of Constant Sorrow” and the crowd realizes that they are the Soggy Bottom Boys. Homer Stokes interrupts the concert and goes on a racist tirade, which goes out on the radio. The crowd hates it and runs him out on a rail. Incumbent Governor Pappy O’Daniel pardons them for saving his campaign and gives the boys jobs as his “brain trust.” This leaves Everett bonafide enough for his wife to take him back.

The Sheriff attempts to lynch the boys anyway, but he state floods the valley and the Soggy Bottom Boys float to safety, with a cow on the roof of a cotton house behind them.

Like I said before, this movie is very nearly perfect. I did not describe this movie nearly well enough for you not to watch this. It resurrected the bluegrass genre, and also is just insanely quotable. My personal favorite is “I just slaughtered this horse last Tuesday. I’m afraid she’s startin’ to turn.”

If you have not seen this movie, I suggest you R-U-N-N-O-F-T and watch it right now.

Categories: Arts & Entertainment