O

Othello works exceptionally well in a high school setting because so much of the plot fits in with the overheated emotions and impetuousness of adolescence. The plot turns on rumors, misunderstandings, trusting the wrong people, and jumping to conclusions, all of which will seem familiar to teenagers. They will also be very familiar with the racial issues, and their impact on O's hypersensitivity to believing that Desi is faithful to him. Hugo's use of steroids deepens the credibility of his fury at Odin's success.

Odin shows his conflicts about women when he asks Desi, "If you were a virgin like you said you were, how come you acting all freaky?" This is typical of immature people who can't reconcile mature sexuality as a reflection of true intimacy. First-time director Tim Blake Nelson (who was last seen singing "In the Jailhouse Now" in O Brother Where Art Thou) shows a strong command of the storyline and imaginative use of visuals that underscore the movie's themes. He gets very strong performances from the actors, especially Hartnett and Phifer and Martin Sheen as the coach. Despite the outcry of Shakespeare elitests everywhere, O does a great job of transporting the The Moor of Venice into a contemporary setting and into the lives of contemporary teens in terms they can understand.