Weeping in the Theater

I don't know why it took me so long to see the film O Brother, Where Art Thou? Perhaps it was because I was on the road with very little time for theater going. At any rate, I finally saw it, and boy, oh boy, did I cry a river!

It's a Coen movie, and as such, I expected it to be a bit like Fargo, perhaps, or Raising Arizona, and in some ways it was. However, I found the notion of building a 20th century story on the foundation of Homer's Odyssey most intriguing, and for me the music in the film was a rare treat. I am greatly fond of that early twentieth century Southern, popular, folk and gospel music, and there was a wealth of it.

I laughed and cried, sang along, clapped my hands when it was over. I would seriously recommend seeing this film if you haven't.

(On another note, some of you know how fond I am of Dave Matthews. Well, I find the new CD to be a bit disappointing. From all I have read, Dave and the band members seem to really love having done this project. I find the songs too boxed-in, I find the band members are too confined in their playing, I miss the long jams, the intricate poly-rhythms, the bits of jazz or classical texture. I miss the rambling nature of old Dave Matthews. But that's only my personal opinion. You may find the album quite delightful. As for me, I'll take the old Dave any day.)

KPM/April, 2001