Cornell Cinema presents a sneak preview of 'O' tonight

Josh Hartnett, left, and Mekhi Phifer star in "O," showing tonight at 8.

Cornell Cinema presents a sneak preview of "O," starring Mekhi Phifer, Josh Hartnett and Julia Stiles, tonight, Aug. 30, at 8 in Uris Auditorium. Passes will be available at the door. Admission is free for new students; others are asked to make a small donation to cover the screening costs.

Directed by Tim Blake Nelson (a star of the recent Coen Brothers film "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"), "O" is Othello for the 21st century. The film stays true to Shakespeare's story of love, friendship and betrayal but uses modern language and sets the tale on the basketball court. O is Odin James (Phifer), the only African-American student at a private Southern high school, who has led his team to a league championship. A jealous teammate (Hartnett) decides to poison O's mind against his girlfriend (Stiles), the daughter of the dean.

As the tragedy unfolds to a rap soundtrack, with great performances by its hot young actors, "O" is "a potent drama, extremely well-acted," said the Hollywood Reporter.