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Movie Review

Norman (2010)

 

Dan Byrd and Emily VanCamp star in “Norman," a film by Jonathan Segal.

A Teenager’s Hardships, at Home and School

By ANDY WEBSTER

There’s something sweet about Jonathan Segal’s modest high school drama, “Norman,” despite the contrivances of its protagonist’s predicament and its stacking of the emotional deck. 
Norman Long (Dan Byrd of “Cougar Town” and “Easy A”) is a smart, sensitive and reflexively wisecracking teenager with a mother who died in a car accident and a father (the consistently reliable Richard Jenkins) who’s in, yes, the terminal stage of stomach cancer.

Chronically self-conscious about his home travails, Norman finds himself covering up for his father’s illness by pretending to have cancer himself. His timing couldn’t be worse: a girl, Emily (Emily VanCamp of “Revenge), has finally taken a liking to him, and his English teacher (an appealingly subdued Adam Goldberg) has enlisted him to give a speech at a school-spirit assembly.

The film proceeds at an agreeable clip toward its fairly predictable climax, led by Mr. Byrd’s assured performance. Of invaluable help is Mr. Jenkins, who is simply compelling. (Would someone please give this man an award?) His exchanges with Mr. Byrd, so liable to lapse into bathos, are salvaged by the actors’ palpable rapport. Ms. VanCamp, sad to say, must struggle in vain with an underwritten part. 

“Norman” also benefits from its overcast Spokane, Wash., locations and a probing, thoughtful score by Andrew Bird, with understated songs by Mr. Bird, Wolf Parade and others. “Norman” may not conquer the box office, but it will certainly be a worthy calling card for its director and its leading man. 

“Norman” is rated R (Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian). Strong language.

 

NORMAN

Opens on Friday in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Seattle and Spokane, Wash.

Directed by Jonathan Segal; written by Talton Wingate; director of photography, Darren Genet; edited by Robert Hoffman; music by Andrew Bird; production design by Vince De Felice; costumes by Lisa Caryl; produced by Mr. Segal, Hawk Koch, Dan Keston and Kim Blackburn; released by AMC Independent. Running time: 1 hour 37 minutes. 

WITH: Dan Byrd (Norman Long), Emily VanCamp (Emily Harris), Billy Lush (James), Richard Jenkins (Doug Long) and Adam Goldberg (Mr. Angelo).