What is your favourite scene in the movie?
The scene that I remember most vividly from O Brother, Where Art Thou? is the part where Everett, Pete, Delmar and Tommy are at the radio station recording the song 'Man of Constant Sorrow'. 'Man of Constant Sorrow' is an extremely catchy song and it was in my head for days after watching that scene. I liked it so much that I even downloaded it onto my computer when I got home! After doing some research, I learned that George Clooney practiced his singing for weeks, but in the end his singing voice was dubbed by country blues singer Dan Tyminski. Though it would have been nice to hear George Clooney's real singing voice, Dan Tyminski did a great job with the song.
Another thing I loved about this scene was the reflections of The Soggy Bottom Boys/ the man at the radio station. Those little details have great effects on the film.
Check out the scene here:
Research and find pictures that you've seen with the starring actors. Discuss their range as actors and what you find interesting about their work.
George Clooney
Movies I've SeenBurn After Reading
Ocean's Thirteen
Ocean's Twelve
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
Ocean's Eleven
Spy Kids
Three Kings
From Dusk Till Dawn
George Clooney has had a long, famed career that has spanned over two decades. From the films I have seen, it is clear that Clooney tends to go for the roles where he is quick-witted, charismatic and the leader of the pack. In Ocean's Eleven, Ocean's Twelve and Ocean's Thirteen, Clooney plays Danny Ocean, a character very similar to Everett in O Brother, Where Art Thou. Danny Ocean and Everett are both smooth-talking criminals with an attractive exterior.
An interesting fact about George Clooney is that he has directed several films including: Leatherheads, Good Night and Good Luck, and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.
He has also worked many directors several times including: Steven Soderbergh (6 times), Robert Rodriguez (3 times) and the Coen brothers (3 times).
John Turturro
Movies I've SeenAnger Management
Mr. Deeds
Though I haven't seen many of John Turturro's films, I can tell that he goes for a wide range of roles. Turturro has showed his funny side been in comedies such as Mr. Deeds and Anger Management as well as his serious side in dramas such as The Good Sheppard and Secret Window.
John Turturro has also worked with many directors several times including: Spike Lee (9 times), the Coen brothers (4 times) and Michael Bay (3 times).
Tim Blake Nelson
Movies I've SeenFido
Meet the Fockers
Scooby Doo 2
Holes
Minority Report
Tim Blake Nelson has been in over 30 films ranging from children movies (Scooby Doo 2, Holes) comedies (Meet the Fockers, Hoot), and thrillers (Minority Report, Syriana). From the films that I have seen, it seems that he never plays the same character twice. Whether its comedic or dramatic, Nelson always brings something different and fresh to each of his movies.
Tim Blake Nelson has also directed, written and produced several films including: The Grey Zone, Kansas, and Eye of God.
What reasons are given for the alterations in colour in the film? How do you feel about them? What do they contribute to the film?
The cinematographer for the film, Roger Deakins, said that the alterations in colour were made "they wanted it to look like an old hand-tinted picture, with the intensity of colors dictated by the scene and natural skin tones that were all shades of the rainbow." I feel that this was sucessfully accomplished and the alterations gave the film an aged look. The lack of bright colours helped create an atmosphere of the depression of the 1930's.
Find 5 'references' to others films or stories in the movie and list them.
- The Wizard of Oz
- The Ten Commandments
- The Blues Brothers
- The Graduate
- Moby Dick
Discuss any other Coen Brothers movies you have seen with respect to this one based on criteria of your own choosing.
The other Coen Brothers movies that I have seen are, No Country for Old Men and Burn After Reading, both have themes similar to O Brother, Where Art Thou. No Country for Old Men is about a drug deal gone wrong causing chaos and action to ensue. The film includes several botched crimes, an ongoing chase, and a time period from the past. These are all elements that are also in O Brother.
On the other hand, Burn After Reading, is an off-beat, black comedy which also stars George Clooney. Much like No Country, it includes several botched crimes, and an ongoing chase. It also has that quirky, smart-witted comedy that is used in O Brother.
What is your opinion of the music used in the film? Why do you think it was chosen?
Though I have never been a fan of folk music before, I loved the music used in O Brother, Where Art Thou. The song 'Man of Constant Sorrows' was stuck in my head for days after watching the movie. I believe the music was chosen because that was what people were listening to back then in Mississipi. Bluesgrass was the sound of the south at the time. I think that the music effectively gave the feel of the 30's to the film and helped create a great atmosphere for the era.
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