No offense to director Nelson whom I loved in his performance in "O Brother, Where Art Thou," but this film is absolutely horrible. As a modern day version of "Othello," it disturbingly depicts teenagers as selfish, drunken, drugged out morons who fight and become terribly obsessed with frivolity. The film starts extremely slow and only begins to pick up once all the killing and backstabbing comes around. Though I can appreciate the attempt at making it an artist, modern day version, what is depressing most of all about this idiotic display is how it just craps upon the beauty and tragedy that was the original. As a 23 year veteran of stage and a writer, I am personally offended for all my fellow thespians who will be duped into seeing this menagerie of empty characters, beyond reality situations, and dumbed down and hopeless look at today's teenagers. Believe me, I once was a teacher and have seen how bad, not all, but a lot of teens can be. But this film takes it to a whole new level. I understand what the writer was attempting to do, but there cannot possibly be any way that the young generation today that will see this film will understand it. Most will be going to see it's leads Josh Hartnett and Julia Stiles. The writer, however, seems to fantasize with the idea that anyone who sees this will see it's parallel and meaning. All I could see was drawn out, unnecessary violence, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and sexuality that I found myself cringing at the thought people will be spending their hard earned money to see this filth. Don't get me wrong, I am no stiff or "goody-two-shoes" to say the least. It's just that film makers today have to draw the line somewhere and it's clear that the film makers with "O" missed the line completely and practically mocked it. And to make sure you know I can validate my thoughts and opinions, I spent an hour after the film ended in a Q & A session with the director. His intentions were clear and sincere. But I highly doubt anyone who was involved in the creative aspects of this film took more than 5 seconds to step back and look at it as a whole nor did they spend much more time trying to empathize with how ALL the individuals who will see this will take it or feel about it. I DO NOT recommend this film. If you are a parent, don't take your kids to see it just because you think you are being "responsible" chaperones. Go see it for yourself, if that is what it takes. I say just leave it to die at the box office where it should leave the heartless investors in debt and regretting their ridiculous attempts at having a piece of the proverbial "Hollywood" pie. No one should benefit from this disgusting picture and I hope those who waste their money finding out for themselves will finally realize that Shakespeare + modern day + teenagers is a miserable combination.
These are the things most specifically disturbing: A long, drawn out sex scene that eludes to rape; blatant and unnecessary drug use; the lack of rounding out or providing reason to become passionate about the characters, and the horrible adaptation of a timeless masterpiece.
SAVE YOUR MONEY AND TIME!
These are the things most specifically disturbing: A long, drawn out sex scene that eludes to rape; blatant and unnecessary drug use; the lack of rounding out or providing reason to become passionate about the characters, and the horrible adaptation of a timeless masterpiece.
SAVE YOUR MONEY AND TIME!