'Normal' review: Bob Odenkirk eases into his latter
Los Angeles Times • • entertainment
Key Points:
- "Normal," directed by Ben Wheatley and starring Bob Odenkirk, is an action-thriller set in a small Minnesota town where Odenkirk's character, Ulysses Richardson, serves as interim sheriff amidst a mysterious criminal undercurrent involving the yakuza.
- The film heavily references and draws inspiration from the Coen brothers' "Fargo," Quentin Tarantino's stylized violence, and screenwriter Derek Kolstad's "John Wick," but fails to match the sharp humor or depth of these influences.
- Despite its setting and premise, "Normal" struggles with tone and character consistency, presenting excessive gun violence and irony without sufficient stakes or meaningful character development.
- The plot revolves around a bank robbery that triggers a violent standoff and community betrayal, but the predictable, formulaic script and over-explained narrative diminish tension and engagement.
- While attempting to blend dark humor with action, the film ultimately feels apathetic toward its own carnage, with Odenkirk's "nice guy" sheriff character incongruously accepting the violence around him.
