User reviews

I had the pleasure of watching the world premiere of Leaves of Grass at the Toronto International Film Festival and was not disappointed. Edward Norton plays identical twin brothers, Billy, an accomplished university professor and Brady a big time drug dealer in Tulsa. The film wonderfully builds up to their first encounter after many years of being estranged, bringing with it much hilarity. The acting was superb - I was thoroughly engrossed in Norton's portrayal of two seemingly different characters. The supporting cast was strong and the director, Tim Blake Nelson had a major role in his own right. Billy and Brady's mother, played by Susan Sarandon brought a nuanced and understated performance. Subtle references to Norton's other films such as Primal Fear and Fight Club were a clever touch. Overall, the film had some great humour and lots of suspenseful moments. This movie is a must see for any Ed Norton fan.

I never saw this one coming... Set in contemporary Oklahoma, "Leaves of Grass" is a safe bet for finest film in Oklahoma history. Edward Norton delivers an outstanding performance, guided by a superb screenplay from director Tim Blake Nelson. Richard Dreyfuss and Keri Russell bolster a strong supporting cast. The script is noteworthy for its verisimilitude on a wild range of subjects from Socrates to hydroponic marijuana production. "Leaves of Grass" is a profoundly intelligent film made with genuine philosophical insight and laser sharp wit. If you go into this film expecting a stereotypical pot comedy, you're in for a shock. The pacing of the film is excellent, tightening the screws until you're on the edge of your seat. In fact, it's spectacularly tough to write a spoiler-free review of "Leaves of Grass". Ultimately, Norton and Nelson deliver a film that would make the Coen Brothers proud.

A film about an Oklahoma pot dealer, and the old "twin-brother" trick did not seem very appealing. However, this is Ed Norton, and you know you are not going to get second rate with him. At first, the film is light-hearted and somewhat comic, but through entirely natural displays of familial emotion becomes more serious. It then gets really serious. Norton is superb throughout; ivory tower professor, troubled son, loyal brother and more. Never having been to Oklahoma I cannot say if the setting and acting was authentic, only that I was captivated by several of the characters, tough as they might be. The script is natural, makes you think and provides the vehicle for Norton to shine. This is really worth watching, but it is not an easy ride that leaves you feeling good.

I've always liked the characters Mr. Norton has portrayed, but I simply fell in love with "Brady" in a way I had never before felt a connection with one of Norton's characters.

I absolutely loved this movie! It's such a delight to see Norton play opposite himself. I watched American History X a few days before watching this film and Norton's ability to completely change his acting style, personality, and delivery of script is simply dynamic!

The plot is very original. The accompanying actors all played their parts well. It's a very funny film while still having moments of sadness and dilemma.

This film is a lovely, playful and thoughtful romp through the conflicting forces that make up our modern world.

Disguised as a wacky comedy sketching a chiaroscuro of moral, economic and educational themes, the film begins in a charming idyllic intellectual landscape where people delight in epistemological, ethical and ontological questions. To hear unabashed philosophical dialogue and playful joking about classical ideas in such a popular medium as mainstream film is a rare delight, especially done as it is as an affectionate spoof of the sequestered world of academia.

Having set the piece in this intellectual arena, to then pull the philosopher out of his element into a world of childhood fears, sensual promise and madcap amorality creates the tension necessary for drama to occur. And there is drama indeed, with sweetness, bitterness, tenderness and violence all stewed together to boil down to some fairly basic and perennial questions about human nature.