O (movie) - Definition and Overview

The movie O is a 'teen' version of William Shakespeare's Othello. Told in a contemporary high school setting, Othello is now Odin (Mekhi Phifer), star of the basketball team and the school's only African American student. Desdemona is Desi (Julia Stiles), the dean's daughter and Odin's girlfriend. Iago is Hugo (Josh Hartnett), the coach's steroid-shooting son, who jealously plants seeds of doubt that fester in Odin's mind, leading them all to a tragically violent fate. Roderigo is Roger (Eldon Henson), Hugo's best friend, a rich and troubled student who wants to go out with Desi, and helps Hugo until he is killed by Hugo because of his incompetence. Michael Cassio is Michael (Andrew Keagan) another basketball player whom Odin highly respects at the beginning of the movie, but they having a falling-out when Michael gets up and fights with Roger, and Hugo convinces Odin that Michael loves Desi. Emilia is Emily (Rain Phoenix), Desdemona's best friend and Hugo's girlfriend. Brabantio is Deane Brabel (John Heard), the president of the school and Desi's father. The duke of Venice is the basketball coach, also known as Duke (Martin Sheen), whose character's role in the movie is much expanded compared to his role in the play.

The film's release date originally coincided with the Columbine High School massacre, so the film was shelved. It was finally released in 2001. It was directed by Tim Blake Nelson and written by Brad Kaaya. It contains many different styles of music, ranging from rap to opera. It was filmed in South Carolina.