Movie Review: ‘Normal’

The cast also includes Lena Headey (‘Game of Thrones’), Billy MacLellan (‘The Silence’), Henry Winkler (‘Barry’), Ryan Allen (‘In the Shadow of the Moon’), Jess McLeod (‘One of Us is Lying’), Reena Jolly (‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’) and Brendan Fletcher (‘Violent Night’).

Related Article: Bob Odenkirk to Star for Director Ben Wheatley in Action Pic ‘Normal’

Initial Thoughts

Bob Odenkirk in ‘Normal’, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.

Bob Odenkirk has been proving for a while that he’s more than just a comedian and comic actor; the depth he brought to Saul Goodman across the ‘Breaking Bad’ TV universe was key, but he also showed real action chops in the two ‘Nobody’ movies.

With ‘Normal’, he’s much more back in the latter two films’ wheelhouse, playing someone who has to confront a violent situation. But while ‘Nobody’ and its sequel certainly have some dark laughs, this latest outing raises the comic stakes and ups the deadly inventiveness.

Script and Direction

Ben Wheatley, director of ‘Normal’, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.

Based on an idea by Odenkirk and Derek Kolstad (better known for the ‘John Wick’ franchise, but also responsible for cranking out scripts for the ‘Nobody’ movies and the ‘Die Hart’ outings), ‘Normal’ certainly leans on comedy to leaven the action madness.

While most of the characters are archetypes (and some are disposable cannon fodder), there’s enough care and attention given to the setup to make you invest in the story once the bullets (and more) start flying.

Ben Wheatley, meanwhile, might be best known in the States for ‘Meg 2: The Trench’ and ‘Free Fire,’ but his UK work is deeply rooted in dark humor, and he’s certainly a good choice for this one, bringing a devilish sense of invention to the chaos.

Cast and Performances

Henry Winkler in ‘Normal’, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.

Odenkirk obviously gets the lion’s share of character work, bringing to life the troubled Ulysses Richardson, interim sheriff who quickly realizes that the quirky small town he’s been hired to protect has some very deep, dark secrets.

But around him, there are plenty of standout characters, including Henry Winkler’s cheerful, sweary Mayor Kibner, Reena Jolly and Brendan Fletcher as a seemingly criminal couple whose ambitions light the fuse on the powder keg that is the town. Also worth watching? Ryan Allen as Deputy Blaine Anderson, who has one eye on the top job in the town’s law enforcement.

Final Thoughts

Bob Odenkirk in ‘Normal’. Photo: Magnolia Pictures.

Utterly ridiculous but also a lot of fun, ‘Normal’ presents as a crossbreed of ‘Hot Fuzz’ (new lawman confronts a small locale’s dark secrets) and the ‘Final Destination’ franchise (in the sheer invention of some of its deaths).

Don’t go in expecting high art, but it’s a wild ride with plenty to enjoy.

‘Normal’ receives 72 out of 100.

(L to R) Bob Odenkirk and Jess McLeod in ‘Normal’, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.

What is the plot of ‘Normal’?

Ulysses (Bob Odenkirk) comes to the sleepy town of Normal, Minnesota to serve as the temporary sheriff after the passing of the original sheriff. A bank robbery in Normal leads Ulysses to find that a criminal underground reaches throughout the entire town.

Who is in the cast of ‘Normal’?

• Bob Odenkirk as Sheriff Ulysses
• Henry Winkler as Mayor Kibner of Normal
• Lena Headey as Moira
• Reena Jolly as Lori
• Ryan Allen as Deputy Blaine Anderson
• Billy MacLellan as Deputy Mike Nelson
• Brendan Fletcher as Keith
• Peter Shinkoda as Joe
• Jess McLeod as Alex

(L to R) Lena Headey and Bob Odenkirk in ‘Normal’, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.

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