Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer
Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: April 14, 2017
6.2
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Generally favorable reviews based on 29 Ratings
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1
EdeltraudMay 23, 2017
If you like boring movies, you'll love Norman. Norman is the most boring movie ever made. The Academy Awards should make a new category for Most Boring Movie just to recognize the mind-numbing tediousness of Norman. A bunch of boring guys inIf you like boring movies, you'll love Norman. Norman is the most boring movie ever made. The Academy Awards should make a new category for Most Boring Movie just to recognize the mind-numbing tediousness of Norman. A bunch of boring guys in suits blather and give each other long looks laden with meaning, punctuated by long segments of religious music and five minutes of putting herring on a Ritz cracker (it wasn't even herring in cream sauce!) Even the lesbian was boring, same sotto voce as the boring guys. Sometimes they blather (yell) in Hebrew (or Yiddish?)and there are subtitles, yes, it's that ghastly. I checked my watch three times during the course of this film. When Scene 4 came on, I thought I'd die & almost left, but managed to persevere! It's as if Woody Allen found an old script under his bed and said, what the heck, might as well, I haven't got anything else going on. It's as if a guy had an idea that seemed like a good idea on the subway ride home & somehow got it made into a full blown movie. I gave it one point because for a second or two there might have been some decent acting, but then it devolved into character tics, like Richard Gear eating candy deliberately and squinting. There was an inordinate amount of squinting in this movie. There was not one whit of drama or thrill. Even Steve Buscemi couldn't infuse this ponderous script with any joy. To cap it all off, the director used cute split screen tricks to try and hold your interest and silly (again Woody Allen-esque) music in an attempt to breath some life into this dog.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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3
sps179May 28, 2017
It is astonishing that the critics could cash out this supremely self-regarding piece of tosh at 76%. I'm writing in the forlorn hope that I can save a few punters from wasting their time and shekels. The opening credits, the closing shot,It is astonishing that the critics could cash out this supremely self-regarding piece of tosh at 76%. I'm writing in the forlorn hope that I can save a few punters from wasting their time and shekels. The opening credits, the closing shot, and everything in between, are dead on arrival. I could not discern a single original thought, nor any rational motive for green-lighting this, unless it is some sort of Trump-like attempt to normalise (normanise?) the Israeli regime. What on earth could have inspired figures like Gere and Buscemi to get involved?… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
BHBarryApr 16, 2017
“Norman-The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer” stars Richard Gere who plays the title role in this film from Israeli born writer and director Joseph Cedar. The “spoiler” title tells a lot of what this movie is about but it is“Norman-The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer” stars Richard Gere who plays the title role in this film from Israeli born writer and director Joseph Cedar. The “spoiler” title tells a lot of what this movie is about but it is indeed much more. Reaching beyond his traditional roles, Mr. Gere, in exemplary fashion, portrays the part of Norman Oppenheimer, a self-styled consultant/businessman who knows someone who knows someone else who knows another who can get you the contacts or deals you are seeking. The film takes us into the inner workings of smart east coast investors to the chambers and offices of the Israeli Knesset, its cabinet and its Prime Minister, and how Norman, by conniving and sheer “chutzpah”, interacts with them all. For those familiar with Yiddish parlance, he would be commonly referred to as a “macher”, or in English, an influential guy with great connections. The interesting point in the casting is that the actors portraying the Israeli members of the cast are, in fact, Israeli, but the other Jewish roles, including Norman, are played by non-Jewish performers such as Michael Sheen, as Norman’s nephew, and Steve Buscemi, as Norman’s rabbi. Make no mistake, this film is more universal in its appeal than the semitic nature of its script would imply for it deals with drama, political intrigue, thrills and a story that will keep the viewer interested, on edge and appreciative of a well performed and well written motion picture. I give the film a 9 snd, as Norman himself might say, “try it, you’ll like it”… Expand
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7
StevieGJDMay 3, 2017
The title of "Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer" is both misleading, while at the same time too revealing. The movie is well made and well acted. There are moments of wry humor and moments of sweet charm. It isThe title of "Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer" is both misleading, while at the same time too revealing. The movie is well made and well acted. There are moments of wry humor and moments of sweet charm. It is categorized as a drama/thriller in Metacritic, which it most certainly is not. There is not a single moment of thriller here. And while there is drama, it is counterbalanced by a sweet comedic tone. Richard Gere is quite good in the title role, in a part where he is on the screen 95% of the film. He is charming and folksy, as well as annoying at times. But that is who Norman is. Steve Buscemi is great as Norman's Rabbi and possibly only confidante. There are numerous other very good performances by other Israeli actors. The direction and pacing are first rate by Isreali Director Joseph Cedar. What I didn't like about the movie was how obvious both one of the storylines (with Charlotte Gainsbourg as Alex, a prosecutor working at the Isreali embassy) and the end were. Norman's meeting with Alex is near the middle of the film and you immediately know how it is going to play out. I kept hoping I was wrong. But it just kept coming. As to the end, when it becomes obvious that there is only one way for things to work out, we still have 15-20 minutes of getting there, which led to an otherwise very good movie just being pretty good. I kept hoping that all this lead up was going to lead to a twist, but alas it does not. Still it was worth seeing and I liked it. With all the great acting and direction here, it could have been great.… Expand
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6
TVJerryMay 25, 2017
That title saves me from writing a plot summary. Richard Gere is the titular character, who scurries around NYC on his cell trying to make deals and establish connections. Gere is enjoyable in this uncharacteristically nebbish role, which isThat title saves me from writing a plot summary. Richard Gere is the titular character, who scurries around NYC on his cell trying to make deals and establish connections. Gere is enjoyable in this uncharacteristically nebbish role, which is good, since he's in almost every scene. The machinations are interesting and the supporting cast strong. There are some cinematic flourishes that take the movie out of reality, but it still works. While the film isn't especially memorable, it places an intriguing character in an atypical story.… Expand
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5
GreatMartinMay 3, 2017
“Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer” is not a great film, not even a good film but definitely a smart film with a powerful performance by Richard Gere. This is not the Richard Gere who twice won the title of “Sexist“Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer” is not a great film, not even a good film but definitely a smart film with a powerful performance by Richard Gere. This is not the Richard Gere who twice won the title of “Sexist Man Alive”.

Gere plays Norman, a schemer, a scammer, a fraud, weasel, a loser, pushy, a liar, a wheeler and dealer who has never met a person he didn’t see as a friend, who accidently meets with the deputy Israeli Minister of Trade Micha Eshel (played by Lior Ashkenazi) who Norman buys a very expensive pair of shoes and is remembered by the Minister 3 years later when he becomes the Prime Minister which leads to problems for both men.

How does Norman make a living? Where does he live? How does he have the money to pay that $1,459 for the shoes? Did he have a wife who died when their daughter was 3 years old? Does he have a daughter? Who is this man? He is dressed smartly with a camel hair coat, an expensive looking scarf and yet you wonder if he is homeless.

Norman’s nephew (Michael Sheen) keeps his distance from his uncle, while Norman’s rabbi (Steve Buscemi) believes he is an insider and can get the $14 million needed to save the synagogue. Alex (Charlotte Gainsgourg) tries to ignore the annoying Norman but her job as a legal expert for Israel based in New York is eventually brought into play when the problems with the Prime Minister and Norman come to the forefront.

Director /screenwriter Joseph Cedar makes you work to cross the T’s and dot the I’s but the solution to what has and is going on pays off when you do.

It is a big supporting cast with only one jarring portrayal, that of Hank Azaria, but that may be because I didn’t dot the i!

While I really can’t recommend the movie I would make it a ‘must see’ for Richard Gere’s starring in a role like none he has done before. Heck if nothing else check out what he did to his hair which definitely wouldn’t get him a Sexiest Man Alive in 2017!… Expand
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6
SpangleMay 13, 2017
A solid indie film, Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer becomes far more compelling and resonant when it gets on with the tragic fall portion of its tale. While its final message can be troubling (though, hopefully,A solid indie film, Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer becomes far more compelling and resonant when it gets on with the tragic fall portion of its tale. While its final message can be troubling (though, hopefully, that is unintentional) and its moderate rise portion is quintessential character study indie with a run-of-the-mill approach to its story, Norman is a mostly entertaining film bolstered by some style displayed by director Joseph Cedar and an excellent leading performance by Richard Gere. Aside from those two elements, Norman is hardly a film that will stand out from the crowd and will likely get lost in time, even if it has an oddly great cast with Gere, Michael Sheen, Dan Stevens, Steve Buscemi, Lior Ashkenazi, Josh Charles, and Charlotte Gainsbourg, all appearing here in mostly small roles.

Norman Oppenheimer (Gere) is one of those character studies of a man who is seen by everyone around him as a loser. Presenting himself as a consultant who tries to rub elbows with people who would never give him the time of day, Norman stalks potential business partners and tries to needle his way in any door. He is so unsuccessful that even his nephew Philip Cohen (Michael Sheen) tries to steer clear of being seen with him. However, when he creates a friendship with a member of the Israeli parliament who goes onto become Prime Minister of Israel, Misha Eshel (Lior Ashkenazi), Norman is at the brink of making it all come together. Now, he just has to hustle to really be a king. He has to get Misha's son into Harvard using the fact that Philip went to Harvard and still has ties to the admissions counsel. For Philip, he has to get Rabbi Blumenthal (Steve Buscemi) to officiate his wedding to a Korean convert. For the Rabbi, he has to get Bill Kavish (Dan Stevens) to convince his wealthy boss to donate enough money to save the Rabbi's synagogue. For Bill and his boss, he has to get Misha to introduce them to a person within the United States treasury department. Juggling all of these balls only to get caught up in a bribery investigation with regard to Misha and having to overcome his appearance of being a loser, Norman quickly begins to experience his tragic fall.

With everybody on his back for not delivering what he has promised due to the fact that Misha's assistants have cut Norman off from contact with the Prime Minister, Norman is faced with failure after failure. Doors he could once sneak through are now slammed shut with people turning against him from every angle. The only thing that could make it worse is prior acquaintance Alex Green (Charlotte Gainsbourg) investigating the Prime Minister and Norman for an illegal business relationship between the two. Having realized he is a loser after being hounded by a man named Srul Katz (Hank Azaria) in a similar way to how he stalked men such as Bill Kavish earlier in the film, Norman is already down and out. His options are limited and this is where this character study really succeeds. While his mightily slow rise to the top is quite plainly written and hardly reveals anything about anybody, his tragic fall shows how cruel humanity can be. Everybody knew he could not deliver, but turn against him at the end and chastise him. They cut him off and even the Rabbi beats him up in an alley. He is destitute and backed against a wall. He has realized he is not a businessman, but just another bum on the streets. There is nothing to live for and there is nobody there for him. It is in this solitude where Gere acts the hell out of this role with a slow and labored realization of the truth. His solemn and reserved nature, hiding his inner turmoil, is powerful to watch unfold and fitting of the word "tragic". Until the film is able to reach this tragic fall, however, its moderate rise is rather dull and safe. It has moments of light comedy with an awkward score that is light and bubbly, which is wholly ill-fitting for its on-screen events. Norman is mostly an unlikable character who we can all see is a loser, but has none of the self-recognition yet. Its introduction to this world is far too labored and exposition-heavy to really compel or grip us, instead belaboring the point that nobody will talk to him and that he goes to creepy lengths to find business partners. Its first two acts are essentially just the same as any other independent film from the past few years about a man who is struggling and unable to really see that he is not treading water, but rather is drowning rapidly. Its painfully plain opening is just too safe and run-of-the-mill to really work beyond the strong performance from Gere in this portion.… Expand
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9
FuturedirectorAug 2, 2017
Witty, gorgeously directed, and nicely acted, Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer is a nice welcome picture in Richard Gere's reputation.
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8
RAISEDbyWOLVESMay 26, 2017
Richard Gere is Norman. That's about all you need to recommend this film. Norman forces his way into people's lives with his only reason being he wants to do you a favor and make himself valuable. i think i would equate him to a wart. But aRichard Gere is Norman. That's about all you need to recommend this film. Norman forces his way into people's lives with his only reason being he wants to do you a favor and make himself valuable. i think i would equate him to a wart. But a lovable wart.When he befriends a low level Israeli politician and in trying to ingratiate himself, buys him a pair of shoes, an $1100 pair of shoes, the politician, 3 years later, is now the Prime Minister of Israel and Norman and he are reunited.But Norman gets caught up in intrigue as the opponents of the P.M. try to oust him for his stand of compromise with all. Gere will get at least a Golden Globe nomination and the P.M.(Lior Ashkenazi) was brilliant.… Expand
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7
JLuis_001Dec 26, 2018
Very good. At last, after a while, an intelligent film.
Good argument, good photography, good direction and the always good performance and presence of Richard Gere.

Highly recommended.
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10
marynycNov 15, 2017
As a writer and a student of New York, I adore this film. It is superbly written. Richard Gere and the supporting cast are excellent. When Norman wangles his way into sitting next to the attractive young lawyer on the train and she identifiesAs a writer and a student of New York, I adore this film. It is superbly written. Richard Gere and the supporting cast are excellent. When Norman wangles his way into sitting next to the attractive young lawyer on the train and she identifies her job, and he blithely goes ahead explaining his "business" by drawing a diagram on her yellow pad—I am yelling, "Stop! Norman! you didn't listen to what her job is, you should know better than to try to impress her with your connection to the Prime Minister, eeeek!" Total enjoyment!… Expand
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4
amheretojudgeSep 1, 2018
the reason of its doom..

Norman Norman is a character driven political drama about a guy who befriends a man from a different native who latter becomes an important servant of the government and their friendship creates a havoc between thethe reason of its doom..

Norman

Norman is a character driven political drama about a guy who befriends a man from a different native who latter becomes an important servant of the government and their friendship creates a havoc between the countries. Cedar's world in here is too much calculative for it to offer any piece of entertainment or excitement to the audience. As such features; that utterly relies upon a relationship, requires, the chemistry between the lead cast may be impressive but isn't good enough to carry on the feature on it. And even though the makers manipulates viewers to surrender emotionally in its final act, it fails to create the anticipated impact, as the innocence doesn't make it up till the first act. Another primary reason, why it fails so poorly is because of its surreal concept that requires multiple characters and subplots and various sequences and situations in order to move forward. And the makers in order to justify the actions occurring, finds itself setting the circumstances for the most part of the feature. It falls flatly on face in technical aspects like cinematography, background score and camera work. It might be beautifully shot with a cold winter-esque palpable environment but those New York streets certainly aren't appealing in here. Gere has evolved a lot in his portrayal and is supported well enough by Ashkenazi's obvious reserved, Sheen's weaker and Buscemi's stronger portrayal. Cedar is armed with a potential premise which being aware of, he uses it wisely and leaves the room head held high on execution whilst on writing, the audience might still have few questions. Gere's heartbreaking performance and a promising concept are the only two points of the feature that may help one survive this sinking feature. Norman is a self misguided feature whose exploration might be the reason of its doom.… Expand
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9
vkiliarisApr 12, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A story on the give and take in politics, economics and interpersonal relations, i.e., Praxis as a behaviour of exchanging as more favours as possible and their potential outcomes based on probabilities.… Expand
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