Norman: An Offensively Exploitative and Oddly Boring Character Study Of a Rip Off Artist
Besides the obnoxiously long title, "Norman" is an amateurish character study, that never develops anything other than watching Richard Gere rip off political figures for his own financial benefit. While the film has a few good ideas and a Cohen Brother's type set up, its neither funny nor interesting and believable enough to achieve anything other than having one of the most annoying and underdeveloped characters to be put on screen in the last decade.
Norman Oppenheimer (Richard Gere) is a sleazy con artist with a seriously crooked agenda. But as characters such as a successful lawyer (Michael Sheen), a Rabbi (Steve Buscemi), a hard nose wall street personality (Harris Yulin) and finally an Israeli political figure ( Lior Ashkenazi) enter Norman's life, his con artist ways become intensified.
While "Norman" has a plot that could've been at least digestible (especially if it was based on a true story, which it isn't), it delves into so many frustrating and unrealistic scenes. This is due to a script that not only falters constantly, but also showcases a comedic side that falls completely flat as well.
"Norman" is a poor film. While Richard Gere and a few other supporting characters sometimes shine through the clouds, it's a non stop, aggravating film to watch. Specific scenes with Charlotte Gainsbourg on the train with the overbearing Norman, feels completely unrealistic or even an odd cameo towards the end of the film is unnecessary and feels forced.
Israeli Director Joseph Cedar (Footnote), has made one of the worst films of 2017. It's exploitative and incorporates offensive stereotypes without any comedic element that works. I enjoyed almost none of it, as the usually very good Richard Gere can't even save this disaster of a film. Besides the political intrigue, "Norman" is an awful film and anyone who goes to see it deserves their money back right away.
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