Norman: The Moderate Rise And Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer

Norman: The Moderate Rise And Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer

Full title, Norman: The Moderate Rise And Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer, is a light comedy based around an ageing, hapless networker whose business revolves around making alliances and connecting people for business advantage. Richard Gere, now in the “mature roles” iteration of his career, plays the awkward, annoying yet somehow forgivable Norman Oppenheimer, a small fish in the New York Jewish community big money pond. His machinations are clumsy but he is blessed with luck. This manifests itself most auspiciously through a chance encounter with visiting Israeli politician, Micha Eshel (Lior Ashkenazi). Through a calculated act of generosity Norman befriends Eshel and when some time later, Eshel becomes Prime Minister of Israel, the relationship proves advantageous to Norman, but possibly detrimental to Eshel.

The mix of characters is broad and rich. Gere is endearing as Norman. Ashkenazi is a handsome, charming Eshel. Steve Buscemi plays the overwrought Rabbi Blumenthal, and Charlotte Gainsbourg is an empathetic, wise Israeli investigator, to name a only a few. Great production with some interesting affects.

★★★★

Reviewed by Rita Bratovich.

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