3 Romantic Roles of Edward Norton

Posted on February 12, 2010 Written by ripitup

Yes, we know he can play a psycho, a gambler, a man who is going to jail the very next day or he can just star in the cult film Fight Club. It is so easy to get used to this diversity and we are not exactly surprised when he plays the nice, romantic fellow occasionally. But of course being Edward Norton, even his romantic parts are very different from each other. So here is a list of three (very) good movies and links to its reviews:

* Keeping The Faith

Edward Norton has directed this lovely comedy where a rabbi and a priest reunite with their old childhood friend (Elfman) and eventually both fall in love with her. Both these guys are very popular, modern and fun. But of course Norton’s character Brian Finn isn’t supposed to date. Or flirt. Or fall in love. Oops…

You can read the review below:

http://www.articlesbase.com/movies-articles/keeping-the-faith-with-edward-norton-jenna-elfman-and-ben-stiller-1852125.html

The Painted Veil

It is sad, romantic, touching, powerful and poetic. It is well-done in every way. Not your typical love affair either. An unfaithful wife (Watts) is forced by her doctor husband (Norton) to go the most dangerous place (1920s, political chaos- combined with a cholera epidemic) in China. But maybe they were both too quick to judge and despise each other? Produced by Norton and Watts. A must-see. To find out more about the film (no spoilers there either):

https://pinartarhan.com/blog/the-painted-veil-with-naomi-watts-and-edward-norton/

The Illusionist

The Illusionist takes you to a magical Vienna with fine cast: Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, Paul Giamatti and Rufus Sewell.Romantic, mystical, mysterious and lovely. For the review:

https://pinartarhan.com/blog/the-illusionist-with-edward-norton-and-jessica-biel/

Would love to hear what you think of these movies. You can comment here, on their individual pages.

Ghost Town with Ricky Gervais

Posted on February 12, 2010 Written by ripitup

Ghost Town with Ricky Gervais, Téa Leoni and Greg Kinnear. Fun, fun, fun.

Bertram Pincus (Ricky Gervais) is an anti-social, cynical and bitter dentist. His “love” for human beings is as impressive as Gregory House’s, really. Of course since Pincus is being portrayed by Gervais, everything he does or says is just really funny.

Something really weird happens after Pinus gets a minor procedure done at the hospital. He realizes (to his utter disgust) that dead people can see and talk to him. In fact, he is the only alive person who seems to have this “power” so all the dead New Yorkers become his stalkers. They all have unfinished businesses and they need to get those done before they can leave this world for good.

The most persistent and annoying one of them all is the smooth and cocky Frank (Greg Kinnear). Now, Frank is the worst because he doesn’t even know what his final purpose is; but he is quite convinced that it has something to the with his widowed wife Gwen (Téa Leoni). He did cheat on Gwen a lot when he was alive but for some reason he considers himself his guardian angel. His mission is to break her relationship with her current boyfriend and Pincus is just forced to cooperate. He realizes Gwen is hot so he decides to try flirting. At first he sucks at it, but then as he slowly bonds with her, he begins regretting it already…

A typical romantic comedy has been combined with some typical Ricky Gervais humor and along with Kinnear’s adorable “bastard” character, the movie is just fun. I has many clichés but the good jokes and funny parts make up for it.

Ghost Town with Ricky Gervais and Téa Leoni — This is how comedy is done. Sometimes it is not about being original (well, some parts are original) but about being truly hilarious...

The role is just made for Gervais. He is cheeky and funny. I especially love all his lines in the hospital. Téa and Greg are more than adaquate and are perfectly cute. The hilairous doctor in the hospital is SNL’s Kristen Wiig.

Totally agree with imdb’s 7.0/10 on this one. As romcoms get, this is one of the really good ones.

Also on Ricky Gervais:

Golden Globes Highlights – Ricky Gervais

The Invention of Lying

on Kristen Wiig

Whip It

Gerard Butler and Saturday Night Live

on Saturday Night Live

Jon Bon Jovi Hosts Snl

Bernard and Doris: Ralph Fiennes and Susan Sarandon

Posted on February 11, 2010 Written by ripitup

Bernard and Doris with Ralph Fiennes and Susan Sarandon. Charming and fun all over...

Half-based on the life of Doris Duke- one of the richest people of her time.

Doris Duke (Susan Sarandon) is an interesting, smart and demanding woman who loves her fun; especially in the form of booze and young men. Her inherited fortune has multiplied because of her sharp business mind.

Bernard (Ralph Fiennes) is a shy, nice and polite butler that starts working for her.

At first she treats her like the rest of her staff but slowly they develop a strong bond and friendship.

Now, what’s interesting about this movie is how Doris allows (gay) Bernard to express himself and takes him out of his shell. Of course people working for Doris finds their friendship weird but then again it is not like our colorful duo care. Sure just like every movie some conflicts will arise here too…

Ralph Fiennes is so adorably cute in Bernard. It was refreshing to see him as a first plain, than an increasingly flamboyant homosexual. He and Susan make a wonderful onscreen couple and their performances make the movie. It is fun, charming and relaxing.

Strongly recommended for every Susan and Ralph fan.

More on Ralph Fiennes:

Strange Days

The English Patient: When adultery is OK

The Illusionist with Edward Norton and Jessica Biel

Posted on February 9, 2010 Written by ripitup

The Illusionist with Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, Paul Giamatti and Rufus Sewell. I take this magician over The Prestige's two competing ones any day...

When Eisenheim was a young boy, he had two life-defining experiences. First, he met a magician that opened his eyes to a mysterious and alluring world. Second, he became best friends and fell in love with a girl called Sophie, who was way above his social class.

When he grows up (Edward Norton), he comes back to Vienna. He starts putting on sold-out shows that amaze and entertain everybody. His success intrigues the chief police (Paul Giamatti) and pisses the hell out of the crown prince (Rufus Sewell) who is usually quick to expose any “magic” and he has the services of the chief at his disposal.

The Illusionist, Edward Norton — Edward Norton as Einsenheim. He is just...well..magical.

Eisenheim isn’t intimidated by either of them. He is extremely frustrated to realize that he still has deep feelings for Sophie (Jessica Biel), who is expected to marry the crown prince.

I dare not say any longer- I am scared to give any spoilers.

Why should you see this?

* From the moment this movie starts, it takes, it takes you in. Edward Norton is absolutely amazing and graceful as the smart, talented and romantic Eisenheim.

Paul Giamatti in The Illusionist. He creates more than enough trouble for Eisenheim and Sophie.

* Paul Giamatti is just brilliant as the police who we can’t tell whether he is going to go all evil on us to serve the prince or he will respect intelligence, love and true character.

Rufus Sewell in The Illusionist — So you are telling me there is a mysterious movie with a beautiful setting and a clever script and the cast has Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti. I have nothing against Jessica Biel- she is lovely. And you also have Rufus Sewell as the bad guy? Boy, I love this movie!!

*Oh, the Crown Prince is evil. The performance of Sewell is really cool as usual. Shame that he had to cover his face with all the mustache and beard but hey, all the (male) charm and beauty belongs to Edward Norton here.

What you need to know about the movie is that, it is a smart)drama/ thriller/romance. I love it much, much more than The Prestige. Prestige plays all its smartypants cards to soon, drives up your expectations- only to disappoint in the end. This movie does not have one irrelevant line or scene. It might have fewer twists but it never disappoints. I’d say at 7.7 on IMDB, it is underrated.

Other Edward Norton

https://pinartarhan.com/blog/the-painted-veil-with-naomi-watts-and-edward-norton/

Other Giamatti

https://pinartarhan.com/blog/shoot-em-up/

https://pinartarhan.com/blog/duplicity/