- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Is this still the best adaptation of The Odyssey?
Posted on 7/18/26 at 7:29 am
Posted on 7/18/26 at 7:29 am
quote:
O Brother, Where Art Thou? is a brilliant and satirical modern retelling of Homer's The Odyssey. The Coen Brothers transposed the ancient Greek epic to 1930s Depression-era Mississippi, following an escaped convict named Ulysses Everett McGill (George Clooney) on an episodic quest to get back home to his wife, Penny.
The film faithfully matches almost every major plot point and mythological archetype from the epic poem:
The Protagonist: "Ulysses" is the Roman name for the Greek hero Odysseus.
The Sirens: The trio sings a mesmerizing, bewitching song to the convicts while washing their clothes by the river.
The Cyclops: Big Dan Teague (John Goodman), a traveling Bible salesman, tricks the men and beats a blind toad to death.
The Suitors: Back home, Everett's wife Penelope (Penny) is fending off a politician who is trying to marry her, much like the suitors in the original epic.
The Lotus-Eaters: Tommy Johnson, the guitarist, claims he sold his soul to the devil at a crossroads in exchange for playing the blues, mirroring Odysseus' descent into the underworld to speak to the dead prophet Tiresias.
Posted on 7/18/26 at 7:38 am to stout
I know it's a Coen brothers movie, but don't really understand the love for this movie. It's funny in some places, but the exaggerated accents are truly horrible, even if they are intentional.
Outside the south you never hear about this movie
Outside the south you never hear about this movie
This post was edited on 7/18/26 at 7:39 am
Posted on 7/18/26 at 7:42 am to stout
quote:
The Lotus-Eaters: Tommy Johnson, the guitarist, claims he sold his soul to the devil at a crossroads in exchange for playing the blues, mirroring Odysseus' descent into the underworld to speak to the dead prophet Tiresias.
This makes no sense to me and is confusing on several levels.
I love this movie. Oh, so many startlements.
Posted on 7/18/26 at 7:46 am to UltimaParadox
quote:
I know it's a Coen brothers movie, but don't really understand the love for this movie. It's funny in some places, but the exaggerated accents are truly horrible, even if they are intentional.
Outside the south you never hear about this movie
For you to say that means you're clearly not Bonified!
Posted on 7/18/26 at 7:47 am to stout
quote:
tricks the men and beats a blind toad to death.
AI shite.
Posted on 7/18/26 at 7:50 am to stout
The one with Armand Assante was good.
Posted on 7/18/26 at 7:52 am to stout
quote:
The Lotus-Eaters: Tommy Johnson, the guitarist, claims he sold his soul to the devil at a crossroads in exchange for playing the blues
Interesting, as I had always heard it was Robert Johnson, but not Tommy. 2 unrelated individuals who share near identical story of a crossroads encounter.
Huh.
Posted on 7/18/26 at 7:53 am to SouthEasternKaiju
Sorry I asked Google to sum it up for the OP. My bad
Posted on 7/18/26 at 8:06 am to stout
I didn't ask Google, but I did ask copilot and it seems there either was a Tommy Johnson or AI is confused.
As I said, I'd only heard of the Robert Johnson story.
As I said, I'd only heard of the Robert Johnson story.
Posted on 7/18/26 at 10:56 am to SouthEasternKaiju
Just from memory I believe there actually was a bluesman called Tommy Johnson whom the legend was originally ascribed to, although the far more well-known Robert Johnson did write Crossroads Blues, Hellhound on my Trail, and Me and the Devil. I thought it was kind of cool naming him Tommy because the Coen Brothers may have been commenting on the nature of myths being retold.
Posted on 7/18/26 at 11:09 am to dirtsandwich
quote:
This makes no sense to me and is confusing on several levels.
Because it is wrong, or incomplete. The Lotus Eaters were the ones doing the baptism in the river. That arc ends when they meet Tommy.
The Sirens also act as Circe as well. Both were combined into those scenes.
This post was edited on 7/18/26 at 11:11 am
Posted on 7/18/26 at 11:39 am to stout
quote:
Sorry I asked Google to sum it up for the OP. My bad
I dont see any issue with this for the purpose of the thread.
And yes, this is the best odyssey movie and nails it. Such a great film.
Posted on 7/18/26 at 11:42 am to GoCrazyAuburn
Babyface Nelson is also Hermes.
Posted on 7/19/26 at 7:42 pm to CU_Tigers4life
We're in a tight spot, boys.
He's a suitor.
And stay outta the Woolsworth! ( uttered by a New Orleanian)
Dey done trampled over our venerated observances.
Obviously, I love this movie.
He's a suitor.
And stay outta the Woolsworth! ( uttered by a New Orleanian)
Dey done trampled over our venerated observances.
Obviously, I love this movie.
Posted on 7/19/26 at 8:23 pm to nealnan8
Who ever heard of such a thing, using a confederate flag as a missile.
Posted on 7/20/26 at 10:28 am to stout
-- Charles Durning as Governor Menelaus "Pappy" O'Daniel, corresponding to Menelaus.
-- Daniel von Bargen as the Sheriff who pursues three escapees doggedly. He corresponds to Poseidon, but also to some degree is the Devil/Hades.
-- Stephen Root as the blind radio station manager, corresponding to Homer.
-- Lee Weaver as the Blind Seer on the railroad handcart, who corresponds to Tiresias.
-- Daniel von Bargen as the Sheriff who pursues three escapees doggedly. He corresponds to Poseidon, but also to some degree is the Devil/Hades.
-- Stephen Root as the blind radio station manager, corresponding to Homer.
-- Lee Weaver as the Blind Seer on the railroad handcart, who corresponds to Tiresias.
Posted on 7/20/26 at 10:39 am to SouthEasternKaiju
quote:
I didn't ask Google, but I did ask copilot and it seems there either was a Tommy Johnson or AI is confused.
The character in the movie is Tommy.
Robert might have been the inspiration for the character.
Popular
Back to top


8









