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

In select theaters
April 14^th 2017

117 minutes

English
Hebrew

Israel
USA

Norman Oppenheimer (Richard Gere) lives a lonely life in the margins of New York City power and money, a would-be operator dreaming up financial schemes that never come to fruition. As he has nothing real to offer, Norman strives to be everyone’s friend, but his incessant networking leads him nowhere. Always on the lookout for someone willing to pay attention to him, Norman sets his sights on Micha Eshel (Lior Ashkenazi), a charismatic Israeli politician alone in New York at a low point in his career. Sensing Eshel’s vulnerability, Norman reaches out with a gift of a very expensive pair of shoes, a gesture that deeply touches Eshel. When Eshel becomes Prime Minister three years later, he remembers. With his very real connection to the leader of a major nation, Norman is awash in the respect he has always craved. Flush with his newfound feeling of success, Norman attempts to use Eshel’s name to leverage his biggest deal ever. The new film by Academy Award® nominated director Joseph Cedar (FOOTNOTE) is a comic and compassionate drama of a little man whose downfall is rooted in a human frailty all too easy to forgive—a need to matter.

starring...

Richard Gere

Norman Oppenheimer

Lior Ashkenazi

Micha Eshel

Michael Sheen

Philip Cohen

Charlotte Gainsbourg

Alex Green

Dan Stevens

Bill Kavish

Steve Buscemi

Rabbi Blumenthal

Hank Azaria

Srul Katz

Harris Yulin

Jo Wilf

Director / Writer

Joseph Cedar

Cinematography

Yaron Scharf

Editing

Brian A. Kates

Music

Jun Miyake

Production Design

Kalina Ivanov, Arad Sawat

Set Decoration

Joanne Ling

Art Direction

Barbra Matis

83% on the CINEMETER

STL

89% - Apr 23, 2017

Loved it RG, brilliant.

Minor comedy, minor tragedy,major entertainment with quality acting, excellent writing and superior direction.

Richard Gere's best performance ever.
St. Louis Member

Great acting, great story. The editing and pacing were exceptional. Musical score also underscored the impact.

Clever, thought-provoking.

Enjoyed the way multiple characters far apart were depicted as close in a shot. Pacing well done, actually eliciting anxiety as we could see behind Norman's innocence.

The life of the mind is a dangerous life.
St. Louis Member

A film worthy of much discussion. Great performances by Gere and Sheen. Director makes great use of details in scenes -- split screen, reflection of dog peeing on tree in window where shoes are displayed, scene in metal box at Israeli embassy. Excellent writing a la Aaron Sorkin. Norman is annoying. The editing is sometimes annoying, reflecting Norman. Still, a hopeful film (not sure he dies) that goes from the art of the deal, Norman style, to the art of making your way through life, Norman style. Norman is a truly complex, tragic character.
St. Louis Member

A very unsettling, disturbing movie because it makes one wonder how close it is to real life in the corporate and political world. Was this wheeler-dealer driven by delusions of power or by the desire to really help people? Terrific acting by Richard Gere and Lior Ashkenazai.
St. Louis Member

MIL

89% - Apr 23, 2017

Really well-written; it gave a lot to think about after the film ended.
Milwaukee Member

This movie is beautifully shot, has good music and is imaginative. It was confusing at times.
Milwaukee Member

Great film. Loved it! Thoroughly enjoyable.
Milwaukee Member

Great multilayered film.
Milwaukee Member

Very interesting. Excellent acting by Richard Gere.
Milwaukee Member

BOS

78% - Apr 9, 2017

A complex tale. loved Norman, great character, well acted. Subtle development of plot.
Boston Member

Great role for Gere
Boston Member

Incredibly well done. Fabulous portrayal and phenomenal filming. Thank you.
Boston Member

Ingenious approach to the material
Boston Member

76% - Apr 9, 2017

Richard Gere did a great job showing the fine line between optimism and denial. He decided to stop swimming in the end.
Washington, DC Member

Can't thank you enough for showing this film! I'm in awe of the creative factor! What an imaginative scenario. If only we could achieve peace in Israel
Washington, DC Member

I loved the casting against type with both Gere and Buscemi as a Rabbi
Washington, DC Member

Each persons plans bring the seeds of his or her own destruction. Anonymous is Norman and Vice versa.
Washington, DC Member

Richard Gere Channeling Woody Allen was strange and amusing. A film that ultimately made you squirm..
Washington, DC Member

A fine meditation on how killing yourself really DOES solve everything!
Washington, DC Member

Shakespearean tragi-comedy with a "Curb Your Enthusiasm" vibe. Imaginative and amusing.
Washington, DC Member

BOCA

83% - Apr 9, 2017

Great story!
Boca Raton Member

Wonderfully acted story kept me continuously interested in the suspense and intrigue!
Boca Raton Member

Boca Raton Member

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