Hot young stars, a hip, driving soundtrack, plus a provocative tale of jealousy and betrayal combine to create this contentious modern-day model of Shakespeare's classic,"Othello." O is Odin James (Mekhi Phifer), the school's star basketball player and prospective NBA hopeful. Although he's the only black student at the elite Palmetto Grove Academy, he's got the adoration of all, including the team's coach (Martin Sheen) and the Dean's beautiful daughter, Desi (Julia Stiles). Odin's troubled friend Hugo (Josh Hartnett), the coach's kid, is profoundly appreciative of his dad's inclination of Odin off and on the court. When Hugo plots a scheme to sow the seed of mistrust between Desi and O, it sets in motion a disturbing chain of events which evolves into a firestorm of stunning intensity.