" (Blackwelder) Like Shakespeare's original and Parker's version, Odin's fame and popularity and his love for Desi Brable played by Julia Stiles who is the daughter of the school's headmaster just tees Hugo off. With jealousy and envy guiding him, Hugo plots to bring Odin down. In Parker's version Othello, Iago is given the opportunity to take over the movie by being the one who tells the story. When Fishburn as Othello returns from war and is reunited with Desdemona the story seems more about Iago as he convinces Roderigo, who is really chasing Desdemona, to pick a fight with Cassio so that he will lose his job. Iago then gets Cassio drunk and he eventually encounters Roderigo which leads to a sword fight and an innocent is injured trying to stop the brawl. "Always by Othello's side are his two right-hand men: Cassio (Nathaniel Parker) and Iago. However, for reasons that are never fully explained, Iago is not the faithful retainer Othello believes him to be. In fact, hatred bubbles just beneath Iago's cool, rational exterior, and he has put a plan into action by which he intends to cause Othello's downfall and shatter the relationship between the Moor and his devoted wife, Desdemona." (Berardinelli) Othello therefore fires Cassio. Cassio is then encouraged by Iago to beg Desdemona for his job back not realizing that this is all a part of Iago's plan. Iago informs Othello with a lie that states Cassio and Desdemona were cheating behind his back.

When Desdemona requests Othello reconsider Cassio's position it does look like they were together as Iago planned. Iago is later made to plant evidence in Cassio's room to keep his charade alive. Othello is then convinced of Desdemona's guilt and resolves that she and Cassio must die. But Iago continues to manipulate the situation. Another fight between Cassio and Roderigo ensues and Cassio is wounded and identifies Roderigo as his attacker. Iago, pretending to avenge the lieutenant, kills Roderigo to prevent him from confessing their plot. Desdemona is later smothered...

Emilia, Iago's wife eventually finds discovers her husband's evil ways and letters tying Roderigo and Iago are later discovered verifying Emilia's suspicions. Iago is later sentenced to death for the plot.
In Nelson's story Josh Hartnett pretty much steals the show as Hugo. He displayed a true sense of deception that was chilling. "In a sly stylistic move, this whole conversation is one take, shot through the office doorway so that only Hugo is visible, focusing all the attention on his momentary happiness turning to dejection then fury." (Blackwelder) Hartnett handled the role and played it great. He was almost calm or laid-back as Hugo was the type of person was very cold. He would kick a dog or homeless person and think nothing of it. Like Iago, as Hugo's grew more jealous he plotted more and his evil plans involved anyone and everyone. He was on a real quest for revenge. Just as when Cassio needed Desdemona, Hugo used Desi to convince Odin to suggest to the coach that a player who was kicked off the team, Michael be reinstated. The rest of the story holds true to Shakespeare's storyline. Hugo then plays on Odin's doubts and continues to make the plot more and more evil until in the end the final act moves to murder

Works Cited

Berardinelli, James. "A Film Review by James Berardinelli." Rev. Of Othello (1995), dir. Oliver Parker. movie-reviews.colossus.net 1995. 10 Dec. 2004 http://movie-reviews.colossus.net/movies/o/othello.html.

Blackwelder, Bob. "Betrayal, Violence of Shakespeare's Tragic 'Othello' Are Rejiggered Around High School Basketball in 'O'." Rev. Of O, dir. Tim Blake Nelson. splicedonline. 10 Dec. 2004 http://www.splicedonline.com/01reviews/o.html.

Nelson, Tim Blake, ed. O. 2001.

Parker, Oliver, ed. Othello. 1995.

Othello