Tim Blake Nelson's 'Leaves of Grass' can be called a weird dark comedy about a dysfunctional family. The focus is more on the relationship of two estranged twin brothers. One is an Ivy League professor and the other a pothead dealer. The first hour focuses more on the buildup of the relationship as the two brothers reunite and Brady reacquaints himself with a past that he had left behind. Then what follows is some unexpected and bloody twists exacerbating the situations.
I found the pace slightly uneven. The first half is a bit slow (but thankfully not boring) but the second half, after the introduction of Pug, the story moves at a rapid pace and sometimes it feels rushed. However, the movie remains entertaining from start to finish. The humour works excellently. Nelson has already proved to be a competent director with 'The Grey Zone' and now he shows that he can do comedy too. Only someone like him could have done justice to 'Leaves of Grass'.
Even in the acting department he is very good as Bill's sidekick. Susan Sarandon, Melanie Lynsky, Keri Russell and Richard Dreyfuss provide fine support even though their screen time is limited. But it is Edward Norton, in a double role, who leads the movie. Bill and Brady couldn't be any more different but Horton nails both parts and plays them with élan.
'Leaves of Grass' also has a great energetic soundtrack. The special effects and the stunts have been done very well. It's a well-made film. Even though flawed, I enjoyed it a lot and would be revisiting it later.
I found the pace slightly uneven. The first half is a bit slow (but thankfully not boring) but the second half, after the introduction of Pug, the story moves at a rapid pace and sometimes it feels rushed. However, the movie remains entertaining from start to finish. The humour works excellently. Nelson has already proved to be a competent director with 'The Grey Zone' and now he shows that he can do comedy too. Only someone like him could have done justice to 'Leaves of Grass'.
Even in the acting department he is very good as Bill's sidekick. Susan Sarandon, Melanie Lynsky, Keri Russell and Richard Dreyfuss provide fine support even though their screen time is limited. But it is Edward Norton, in a double role, who leads the movie. Bill and Brady couldn't be any more different but Horton nails both parts and plays them with élan.
'Leaves of Grass' also has a great energetic soundtrack. The special effects and the stunts have been done very well. It's a well-made film. Even though flawed, I enjoyed it a lot and would be revisiting it later.