X
- 2010
- R
- Telepathic Studios
- 1 h 45 m
- 2010
- R
- Telepathic Studios
- 1 h 45 m
Summary Bill, a classical philosophy professor at Brown University, returns home upon news of his brother Brady's murder in a drug deal gone awry. Bill quickly learns that Brady's death has been grossly exaggerated, as he’s swept up into one of his brother’s crazy schemes. Alongside his eccentric mother and a beautiful woman named Janet, Bill pa...
Directed By: Tim Blake Nelson
Written By: Tim Blake Nelson
- 2010
- R
- Telepathic Studios
- 1 h 45 m
- 2010
- R
- Telepathic Studios
- 1 h 45 m
Leaves of Grass
58
6.7
Where to Watch
Summary Bill, a classical philosophy professor at Brown University, returns home upon news of his brother Brady's murder in a drug deal gone awry. Bill quickly learns that Brady's death has been grossly exaggerated, as he’s swept up into one of his brother’s crazy schemes. Alongside his eccentric mother and a beautiful woman named Janet, Bill pa...
Directed By: Tim Blake Nelson
Written By: Tim Blake Nelson
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 10 Critic Reviews
58
40% Positive
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
60% Mixed
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 10 Critic Reviews
58
40% Positive
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
60% Mixed
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Some kind of sweet, wacky masterpiece.
Part goofy drug comedy, part shocking bloodbath. It’s a riot of tones and genres, but unlike that other recent hybrid, "Pineapple Express," the parts add up to something larger.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 29 User Ratings
6.7
66% Positive
19 Ratings
19 Ratings
21% Mixed
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
14% Negative
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 29 User Ratings
6.7
66% Positive
19 Ratings
19 Ratings
21% Mixed
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
14% Negative
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
Every once in a while, a movie slips thru the cracks and ends up as a delightful surprise on cable. "Leaves of Grass" (currently on Showtime) stars Edward Norton in a skillful turn as twins (one a classics professor, the other a redneck dealer). It was written and directed by Tim Blake Nelson (he also has a part) and is funny, sweet and shocking. Don't miss this minor masterpiece.
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Writer/director Tim Blake Nelson manages a finely tuned balance that is rare in cinema. Moving from the far reaches of comedy to the nether regions of drama, he never skips a beat or sets the pitch too high.
His (Nelson) timing is off and his bullshit detector nonexistent. I don't much care for the Coens, but the sad truth is that their cynical nihilism is a lot less spurious than Nelson's earnest sentimentality.
A dumb comedy out to prove its genre-defying smarts--the title is both an onscreen-supported reference to Walt Whitman and a wacky-tobaccy allusion--Leaves of Grass is a mostly mirthless affair; not even the sight of Edward Norton portraying twins tickles as it should.
It is so outrageous with its ethnic caricatures, hokey plot and twin-brother mix-ups that you know the whole thing is a lark.
"Leaves of Grass" was such a pleasant surprise. I don't know why I had not really heard of it, and if that's true for everyone, it's a shame, because this movie was really fun to watch. Great cast: Edward Norton in a dual role, Susan Sarandon, Richard Dreyfuss, Keri Russell, Ty Burrell (from Modern Family) and Melanie Lynskey were all just terrific in it. Really perfect. Oh, and Josh Pais as the orthodontist he meets on the plane-- he is so good! I never knew his name, but you've seen him a thousand times.
I also loved the character of Bolger so much that I had to Google him afterwards, even though it was late and I was really tired, so that says something. I found out that he was played by Tim Blake Nelson, who also co-starred in "O Brother Where Art Thou" alongside George Clooney, and a lot of other stuff too numerous to list. Upon Googling, I learned that Tim Blake Nelson also sings in that movie, and possibly this one, too, because it has a somewhat similar soundtrack, but not really, if that makes any sense. I also learned that he wrote and directed this one. It's a comedy-drama and even has some bits of violence in it, for those of you who like that sort of thing. In other words, ladies, your husbands will like this movie, too.
The movie begins on the campus of Brown University in Providence, RI, and then moves on to Oklahoma. It turns out that writer-director-singer is from Oklahoma and went to Brown University, so he knows what he is talking about. It is so much fun watching Edward Norton play both brothers, the buttoned-up Brown professor and the equally brilliant but ne'er-do-well pot-smoking brother. Highly recommended.
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What at first looks like a gas station bargain bin find of a film, Leaves of Grass turns out to be brimming with philosophical musings, memorable performances and characters, and an ambitious script. While entertaining and giving an interesting perspective on Oklahoma weed dealers and how they fit into the universe, Leaves of Grass falls short of its mark. It is mostly held back by the fact that it sometimes gets tangled up in its own message. Still, I wouldn't be surprised if this became a cult classic a few years down the road.
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Overall, "Leaves of Grass" is an ok film. Edward Norton is absolutely phenomenal as two very different twin brothers and, really, his performance makes this film. Keri Russell and Tim Blake Nelson also had very good performances, though overshadowed by Norton. As a black comedy, the film is hit and miss. There are certainly moments where it is indeed comedic, but there are not enough of those moments. Rather, the film is overshadowed by its very odd second half. The first half is fine and should have set up the film to be pretty good. However, the second half became very dark and violent. This tonal shift from the first half was a bit much for me to bear and really ruined this one for me. There were still good moments in the second half, especially of the touching variety, but not enough to make me ok with what happened in that second half. As I mentioned, though the first half was significantly better and really did a great job developing the characters for later on in the film. However, this one is definitely more about the performances from the actors. Edward Norton makes this film a minor success.
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I don't know what's this. Is it some kind of showcase of the acting abilities of E. Norton? Or maybe even for some of the other actors?. It sure feels like it to me. It starts well, but moment later - there is the cheapness and mediocrity. Then again follows a quality scene or whatever, just before another scene of acting ridiculousness. The quality of the performances and the script is all over the place. Also some of the dialog is a real drag, taking far longer than necessary.
And what about the genre? Is this suppose to be a comedy? I don't think so, not even a hint of it. Also the "crime" classification is neither here nor there. There is a romance development, though, but it feels rather unnatural.
To sum up: the acting is sub-par, the plot drags, the movie is neither funny nor a good crime story. 5 out of 10 as it is watchable, but only if you don't have absolutely nothing else to do.
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Production Company
Millennium Films,
Langley Films,
Class 5 Films,
Leaves Productions,
Grand Army Entertainment
Release Date Apr 2, 2010
Duration 1 h 45 m
Rating R
Tagline Drugs, Murder, and Brotherly Love.
Awards
SXSW Film Festival
• 1 Nomination
