Take 65: Normal

In the dark comdey/ action Normal, Bob Odenkirk plays Ulysses Richardson, an interim sheriff in a quiet Minnesota town who finds it’s not as quiet as it seems. There are quirky characters a plenty, weapons running, bank robbery, crime, and deception all around which he finds himself smack dab in the middle all while attempting to come to terms with his own troubled past. Nothing is what seems and strange bed fellows are made in this tight 91 minutes.

It’s really nice having a schedule that allows me to take advantage of the Cinemark Secret Movie Series. This is the latest and once again, I knew NOTHING going into it. There was never even an actual title card aside for the movie aside from the town sign which does double-dutybof informing the audience that they are in fact in the right theater. From jump, I knew it was going to be a little off-beat and unpredictable so if nothing else, I figured I wouldn’t be bored.

I feel like I have only recently gotten hype to Bob Odenkirk. I love both Nobody movies and as is the case with those, again he plays a likable everyman who has you on his side the moment he first appears on-screen. He is the straight man in a sea of oddities. You know you are in good hands the whole time. Everyone is enjoyable including Henry “The Fonz” Winkler who gets to play a very different type of character than I have ever seen him play.

The plot is pretty straight forward. New person in town finds out what appears to be a quiet little town is ripe with secrets and intrigue, but what is surprising is just how deep this really runs. There were more than a couple of revelations and heel turns and alliance shifts throughout that I honestly didn’t see coming. And though it starts kinda sleepy (aside from the Japanese mov opening), when it DOES hit the fan, there are quite the splats! It gets gory, but it’s always quick and absurd so never really never even to gross you out that much.

I was definitely entertained. The characters were engaging. The pacing was good and question of who to trust and not to trust kept me guessing. I also really liked the guxtaposition of the Japanese crime syndicate and quiet, unassuming Minnesota. I will say it felt pretty light, but sometimes you just want something that won’t leave you wrecked. This one fits the bill.

My score: 7.5. Perfectly fine. Not something you have to rush out and see on the big screen, but if you catch it streaming, you won’t be disappointed either. It’s mild, fun entertainment.

This is the part where I Normally ask for your comments, so let's hear your thoughts. And until next time…