Coach Duke Goulding (Martin Sheen) intends to win the championship for the mostly white boarding school Palmetto Grove Hawks. Odin James (Mekhi Phifer) is the hero while coach's own son Hugo Goulding (Josh Hartnett) is put down. Duke tells the school that he love Odin like his own son and gives him the MVP award. Odin calls out wealthy Michael Cassio (Andrew Keegan) as his go to guy. Odin is dating Dean Bob Brable (John Heard)'s daughter Desi (Julia Stiles). Jealous Hugo sets up Odin with the help of weak-minded Roger Calhoun who is in love with Desi.
This is a modern day adaptation of the Shakespeare play Othello. The adaptation is not entirely smooth. There is a sense of unreality but the young cast maintains the believability. They are all quite solid in their roles. Josh Hartnett is actually good in an underhanded role which is different than his usual mind-mannered good guy roles. Phifer is brash which is appropriate. It's a solid adaptation.
This is a modern day adaptation of the Shakespeare play Othello. The adaptation is not entirely smooth. There is a sense of unreality but the young cast maintains the believability. They are all quite solid in their roles. Josh Hartnett is actually good in an underhanded role which is different than his usual mind-mannered good guy roles. Phifer is brash which is appropriate. It's a solid adaptation.