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Is this still the best adaptation of The Odyssey?

Posted on 7/18/26 at 7:29 am
Posted by stout
Porte du Lafitte
Member since Sep 2006
183998 posts
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 by UltimaParadox
North Carolina
Member since Nov 2008
52741 posts
Posted on 7/18/26 at 7:38 am to
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
This post was edited on 7/18/26 at 7:39 am
Posted by dirtsandwich
AL
Member since May 2016
7370 posts
Posted on 7/18/26 at 7:42 am to
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 by SouthEasternKaiju
SouthEast... you figure it out
Member since Aug 2021
48824 posts
Posted on 7/18/26 at 7:45 am to
Posted by CU_Tigers4life
Georgia
Member since Aug 2013
9454 posts
Posted on 7/18/26 at 7:46 am to
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 by nes2010
Member since Jun 2014
7978 posts
Posted on 7/18/26 at 7:47 am to
quote:

tricks the men and beats a blind toad to death.


AI shite.
Posted by blueboy
Member since Apr 2006
66500 posts
Posted on 7/18/26 at 7:50 am to
The one with Armand Assante was good.
Posted by SouthEasternKaiju
SouthEast... you figure it out
Member since Aug 2021
48824 posts
Posted on 7/18/26 at 7:52 am to
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 by stout
Porte du Lafitte
Member since Sep 2006
183998 posts
Posted on 7/18/26 at 7:53 am to
Sorry I asked Google to sum it up for the OP. My bad
Posted by SouthEasternKaiju
SouthEast... you figure it out
Member since Aug 2021
48824 posts
Posted on 7/18/26 at 8:06 am to
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.
Posted by madddoggydawg
Metairie
Member since Jun 2013
6738 posts
Posted on 7/18/26 at 10:56 am to
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 by GoCrazyAuburn
Member since Feb 2010
41621 posts
Posted on 7/18/26 at 11:09 am to
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 by sgallo3
Lake Charles
Member since Sep 2008
27951 posts
Posted on 7/18/26 at 11:39 am to
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 by GoCrazyAuburn
Member since Feb 2010
41621 posts
Posted on 7/18/26 at 11:42 am to
Babyface Nelson is also Hermes.
Posted by nealnan8
Atlanta
Member since Oct 2016
4994 posts
Posted on 7/19/26 at 7:42 pm to
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.
Posted by GoCrazyAuburn
Member since Feb 2010
41621 posts
Posted on 7/19/26 at 8:23 pm to
Who ever heard of such a thing, using a confederate flag as a missile.
Posted by Madking
Member since Apr 2016
72257 posts
Posted on 7/19/26 at 8:25 pm to
Clooney’s best by far
Posted by Cleathecat
Houston
Member since Feb 2021
1862 posts
Posted on 7/19/26 at 9:18 pm to
I really enjoyed that movie.
Posted by BRich
Old Metairie
Member since Aug 2017
3067 posts
Posted on 7/20/26 at 10:28 am to
-- 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.
Posted by Bestbank Tiger
Premium Member
Member since Jan 2005
81862 posts
Posted on 7/20/26 at 10:39 am to
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.
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