Normal (2013) Reviews

• An Anxious Slice of Impeccable Art!

  mvarrati-69-4648152015-02-19

  Settling in with a glass of wine last evening, I queued up NORMAL,and found myself so captivated by the resulting motion picture that I realized, as the end credits were rolling, that I hadn't once touched my glass. Richard Griffin's directing was sharp and stylish, and Leonard Xavier Roberts Schwartz's script was ferocious. Add into that a remarkably intense cast of extreme talent, and what followed was a claustrophobic and atmospheric slice of art that was absolutely delicious for the mind. Similar to the way Chabrol would construct quiet mysteries out of anxiety rather than blood, this movie uses close quarters to ramp up the tension, and a color palette that titillates as much as it unnerves. Movies like NORMAL are truly special, as they remind viewers that the realm of low budget has not seen its final hey day, and that great art is out there waiting to be discovered and celebrated. This is a film that deserves to be seen. Do yourself a favor, and track down this remarkable gem.

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• A top-notch psychological ride to darkness

  tonythenunes2014-01-31

  Richard Griffin has directed a truly visceral film, part hypnotic treatment on death and betrayal, part Lynchian nightmare about the darkest of consciences. Behind a brilliant script by Leonard Schwartz and organic pacing from Griffin, this film is anything but its title would suggest, truly standing out as one of the most original and abnormally transportative indie films I've seen in years. The greatest piece of this filmic puzzle however is actor Michael Reed, who singlehandedly steals the show from a cast of talented actors. Reed is a star and what Normal proves above all else is that this star is rising!

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• Nothing Normal About It (In A Good Way)

  Pycal2014-01-31

  Richard Griffin's latest film NORMAL had a lot of mystery surrounding it. I had figured out early on before the release that it would likely center around a serial-killer, but it almost seemed like few details were purposefully given. Such is appropriate though as NORMAL is indeed a very shadowy and mysterious film with a good amount of twists and turns. Despite Griffin making clarification that the film is not horror (the genre he is best known for working in), this distinction is a bit blurred here. NORMAL is a dark film and while it plays more with psychology and drama rather than standard thrills and chills, the movie certainly has enough horrific, unsettling and grim content in it. However, even if it doesn't play like a straight horror film, NORMAL is probably Griffin's scariest and affecting movie to date. This is a movie (unlike most of the director's other films) that is dark and dead serious. Probably closest to Griffin's EXHUMED in tone and feel and the fact that much of the cast and crew is repeated here. For instance, the movie is all kinds of bleak and has a similar claustrophobic feel to it. Ken Willinger (who collaborates again with Griffin as director of photography here for the second time) crafts a similar look (albeit in color) and makes use of some really contrasty, low-key film noir type lighting that makes the film's aesthetic about as dark as its subject matter. Willinger really shines in his work here and fully demonstrates his massive talent for cinematography. On display are some truly amazing shots that rival the best work of a Roger Deakins-- my favorite of which features actor Michael Thurber walking through the streets of downtown Boston at night illuminated by a plume of sewer steam. This shot brought to mind a similar shot in THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD and as with there, it gave me goosebumps. Even if NORMAL is a rather unsettling film for much of its running time, it's also oddly beautiful in a lot of ways. Due to its music score at times and aforementioned Willinger cinematography, NORMAL almost has a Terrence Malick like quality to it in the visuals and storytelling. Just a poignant and powerful film and the performances help sell it. Michael Reed is excellent in the lead and comes off as quite creepy and terrifying in his portrayal of a twisted serial killer. Elyssa Baldassarri also shines in the role of Kate and her performance says so much just due to her demeanor and facial expressions alone. The rest of the cast is generally well utilized and Michael Thurber always steals whatever scene he's in no matter how short his screen time. All in all, nothing is really 'normal' about the film NORMAL. It's a film you'll no doubt be impacted by and probably hard-pressed to forget.

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• Great Mystery!!!

  rrebelo-645-8178822014-01-30

  This film is an amazing look at a modern day serial killer. It goes in some incredible and interesting directions! Will Keep you on your feet!! Do yourself a favor and check this one out. One of the best independent films I have seen in a long time. Richard Griffin takes it to another level and Michael Reed Delivers a spellbinding performance. The supporting cast also puts in an incredible effort to create a legitimately strange and mysterious world. The cinematography is reminiscent of film noir with its bleak dark tones mixed with rich color. So definitely seek this film out! hopefully this year at a film festival or soon to be on DVD

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• What is Normal?

  Starlost-12015-02-20

  The main character Jim(Michael Reed) asks another character if he seems normal; which by this point in the movie we know Jim is far from normal. Jim is a serial killer, who also is a super in an apartment building with very needy tenants. He is always putting them off, saying he has something he needs to do. He only seems to have time for Shelly (Sarah Nicklin) a hooker who appears to understand more of what is going on than the other tenants. He is also trying to avoid his brother Tom (Nathaniel Syla) who wants to sell the building. By the careful lighting, sound and camera work we can tell there is something seriously off with the building, and the tenants. Jim appears to be the most normal of the people in the movie and he is on a journey to fully understand what is going on around him. Paying close attention to the dialogue and how characters reset while dealing with Jim will allow you to understand what is happening but don't look to be spoon fed. There wasn't a part of the film that wasn't thought out before hand. I found the film powerful: the screenplay was very smart, the direction inspired, the cast uniformly strong. I do have to single out Michael Reed and Sarah Nicklin; it is not often I am rooting for a serial killer, and rarely has an actress been able to fit the role of light bringer as well as Sarah Nicklin did. If you are looking to watch a movie that brings something different to the table then give "Normal" a look.

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