Day 99: Leaves of Grass

"My brother was killed with a cross-bow."

Following a day in which someone reviewed a movie as spectacular as Shutter Island is a difficult task. I easily could have gone with something that was both a blockbuster and critical success, but as I am in an Edward Norton stage, my reviewing is as well. The movie I selected is a little known film by the name of Leaves of Grass. It is a story of an Ivy League professor, Bill Kincaid, who has been duped into going back to his home in Little Dixie, Oklahoma. Upon arriving he finds out the initial reason for his return was not the truth. In fact, it was far from it. His twin brother Brady, whom he had not seen in years, has devised a plan to take down a local drug dealer and as a result of this plan hilarity ensues. Although this is the main plot point of the movie, there are a variety of different subplots involving Bill’s mother and a girl from the rural town.

One rather crucial point that I may have forgotten to mention is that none other than Ed Norton plays Bill’s twin brother. Now as much as I would have loved to play the part due to my striking resemblance to Norton, sarcasm intended, there was no one else that could have portrayed the role as well as he did. The fact that he plays two characters is something that may turn someone off from the idea of watching the movie, but it should not. The film progresses very smoothly as a result of seamless editing and at times the viewer forgets that Norton is playing Brady, as his Oklahoman accent and beard provide a brilliant disguise. Throughout his career, Norton has played everything from a white supremacist to a superhero, and yet for some reason it is this performance that grasps me the most. To play such a wide variety of parts in one film so wonderfully is absolutely unheard of. He is believable as both a Brown professor and an avid drug user with a flair for the dramatic, something that is a more than difficult task.

As the plot progresses you begin to realize that this movie is far more than your average comedy. At times it switches from comedy to drama, drama to thriller, and right back to comedy again. It’s a hybrid of about five different types of film, something that may not be to the liking of the average movie viewer, but is sure to wet the pallet of those true fans of film. Those who are not accustomed to the filming technique of an independent film may not find it enjoyable, however, it is still a film that I would recommend based purely on performance and entertainment value.

If you are looking for a Step Brothers-esque type of comedy, this simply is not the film for you. It is not something that is going for outright laughs, but rather is attempting to deliver a solid message all the while keeping the viewers mood positive. I’ll be honest and say that I was more than a bit hesitant when I was renting this film, but I don’t regret it at all. If you are looking for a movie with a peculiar sense of humor, a ridiculous plotline, and great performances from all those involved, then this is a movie for you.