Itโs seldom I disagree about film with the late, great Roger Ebert, but his lukewarm review of โOh brother...โ is unjust and plain wrong.
This is a superbly crafted Coen bros. offering, which ranks with their best. There are typically sly nods to other movies for film โbuffsโ, and numerous cultural references other than the central โOdysseyโ theme (the character โTommyโ for example is based on blues legend Robert Johnson). There are terrific set and costume designs, a great script, marvellous acting, camerawork, and of course the music. Thereโs lots of subtle and apposite commentary too, about the politics of racial division, the political perversion of faith and the charlatans who prosper from manipulation of both.
Like all great cinema, the film passes the test of time and rewards repeated viewings. I thoroughly recommend it.