Reluctant to spend any more time crushing rocks, he scams his way off the chain gang with a clumsy duo of fellow convicts: sweet and simple Delmar (Tim Blake Nelson) and the maladjusted Pete (John Turturro). The trio embarks on the adventure of a lifetime as they set out to pursue their freedom and the promise of sharing in the division of a fortune in buried treasure. However, they must also match wits with the cunning and mysterious Cooley (Daniel von Bargen), who tracks the men, determined to bring them back to the prison farm.

With the words of a blind prophet ringing in their ears, "You will find a fortune but not the fortune you seek," the three shackled escapees make a hasty run for their lives. They travel down the road on a journey filled with perils, surprises, and wondrous events. Along the way, they meet an assortment of curious characters including Tommy Johnson (Chris Thomas King), a musician on his way to Jackson to sing on the radio; Big Dan Teague (John Goodman), an unscrupulous, one-eyed Bible salesman who deceives them; Babyface Nelson (Michael Badalucco), the notorious gangster, who befriends them in the middle of a robbing spree; Penny Wharvey (Holly Hunter), an important part of Everett's not-so-distant past; and Governor Pappy O'Daniel (Charles Durning), who is engaged in a reelection campaign.

All the while the trio is trying to stay ahead of the law. Despite all the obstacles, near misses, and narrow escapes along the way, they reach Ithaca, where Delmar and Pete hope to be rewarded for their perseverance and Everett hopes to be reunited with more than his gold.

An exciting and entertaining blend of high adventure, humor, and heartfelt emotion, "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" is written and directed by Joel & Ethan Coen, two of today's preeminent filmmakers, who put their own unique modern-day spin on Homer's classic tale, "The Odyssey."

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Leonard Maltin

Love 'em or hate 'em, you've got to hand it to Joel and Ethan Coen: They never make the same movie twice. Even when they reissued their breakthrough film Blood Simple this past summer, they tinkered with it and shortened the running time.