You bring forth one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies and set it within a world similar to Dawson’s Creek. You cast some of the hottest leading stars and then translate the Shakespearean language into modern day English. Sounds like a lot of work and a lot of places to go wrong. Except this time, the result will utterly shock you.

“O” is a retelling of one of William Shakespeare’s most misunderstood tragedies. The tragedy is “Othello” where a Moorish General stationed in Venice is driven insane by a vicious Iago after being told his wife, Desdemona, is cheating on him.

In “O”, the film is set within a rich primarily white private school. Odin James (Mekhi Phifer) is the only black man on campus and the star of the school’s basketball team. Odin also happens to be utterly in love with the dean of the school’s daughter Desi (Julia Stiles). A petty and jealous Hugo (Josh Harnett) begins to plot to bring down Odin so he can regain the love his basketball coach-father (Martin Sheen) and his status on the team.

Completed over 2 years ago, “O” was pulled from release because of the tragedy at Columbine High School. It is truly sad such a rich translation of an epic text has sat on studio shelves for so long. Because “O” is just that, rich.

Not since 1965’s Othello with Lawrence Olivier or 1952’s Othello with Orson Welles has this epic text been absorbed and loved so much. The passion of the story Shakespeare intended for us all is evidently alive in this film. What is amazing about this new telling is that it doesn’t incorporate the actual language Shakespeare is famous for. It’s a modern translation and since it is so brilliantly conceived you are still captivated by the telling. This could be the first full modern translation of Shakespeare into cinematic form.

Josh Harnett is brilliant as the film’s Iago as you can see just how evil and wicked the man is. Harnett also allows us to see the tormented side of Hugo (or Iago) that is often hard to translate on film. One scene where the camera follows Harnett into his father’s office where he has lunch speaks volumes. The camera stops outside the door and just shows the entrance to the office with an alienated Hugo sitting practically in the doorway. This scene shows a lot about Hugo and his relationship with his father. I loved how this scene was filmed.

Mekhi Phifer’s performance builds and builds as the film continues. It’s towards the last half that he shows a remarkable performance. His mind begins to twist and turn with paranoia and Phifer’s performance is so intense.

Another mind-boggling aspect about this film is that it was made before Julia Stiles exploded onto the scene in “Save the Last Dance” and before Josh Harnett was even considered for “Pearl Harbor”. All I can say to that is, wow!

Please don’t get me wrong. “O” isn’t for everyone. Even in the heights of their day, Shakespearean tragedies didn’t appeal to everyone. I also must caution that you need to talk to your kids and find out what goes through their mind when witnessing a film such as this. For younger teens, this film could be too intense. Because of its intensity it is no wonder the film wasn’t released into a post-Columbine world. Time does heal all wounds and “O” could be that first step.

(4 of 5) So Says the Soothsayer.