What Is It About Ed Norton?

Posted by hollywoodland (maggie@filmschoolrejects.com) on September 15, 2007

There’s something about Ed Norton that makes his movies wonderful in a dreamy, memorable, weird sort of way. Last night I got to see an Ed Norton movie I never saw or heard of, and that’s a real treat. I’m probably the only fan who missed a little film out of Sundance called Down in the Valley, with Norton, Evan Rachel Wood, David Morse, Bruce Dern, and one of the Culkins. This Culkin is named Rory and he was good which surprised me because I loathe that family’s offspring almost as I loathe the Baldwins. Enough about them.

Norton had a mirror scene which is one of the great opportunities for an actor. Beginning with Brando in Reflections in a Golden Eye, DeNiro’s in Taxi (Scorsese admitted using Brando’s improvisational work in Reflections for Travis Bickel’s scene in Taxi), Robert Blake in In Cold Blood, and now Edward Norton in this little surprise movie.

Being one myself, I always go for films about outsiders, and Norton plays them better than most. In this one, he’s a delusional guy living in the San Fernando Valley who thinks he’s a cowboy and charms the pants off Evan Rachel Wood, antagonizing her daddy (David Morse) and fascinating her little brother (Rory Culkin). The character Norton created fascinated me, too.

Back in March, H. Stewart ended his FSR review with: “Down in the Valley is far from a perfect film, but it’s smart and risky, a superbly-acted character drama, carried by Norton, that, unlike many of its indie counterparts, isn’t afraid to take chances, to try and be something more than a familiar love story.” Absolutely right! (That means I agree.)

What is it about Ed Norton’s work that’s so tantalizing, mysterious, and always interesting, whether the film is good or not? His contributions, like giving a stutter to his character, the memorable Aaron Stampler in Primal Fear, made a good movie even better.

I remember when his auditions for Primal Fear (1996) created not a little buzz but an uncommon roar throughout the industry. He won the dual role over 2000 other actors, and owes a debt of gratitude to Leonardo di Caprio, who had turned down the part, leaving the search for a newcomer wide open. Norton garnered a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar right out of the gate.

For the Primal Fear audition, Norton affected a Kentucky twang like the character he was reading for by watching Coal Miner’s Daughter. His accent fooled even the director. (Norton was actually born in Boston and raised in Maryland.)

Though a seemingly impossible feat, Norton held his own with Brando and DeNiro in The Score, with his acting intelligence and his commanding screen presence. There are very few actors who could’ve done that. Nicholson of course, and maybe Kiefer, but that’s about it.

Ed Norton has a string of exceptional movies behind him already: American History X, Fight Club, Keeping the Faith. I love every performance he gives whether I like the movie or not.

He writes, produces, directs, speaks Japanese, is a world class poker player, and played guitar with Hole when he was dating what’s-her-name with the new lips.

Even if I hadn’t appreciated Edward Norton before, I would have after reading his comment: “I’m an actor and, each time out, I’m trying to convince the audience that I’m this character. Every little thing that people know about you as a person impedes your ability to achieve that kind of terrific suspension of disbelief that happens when an audience goes with an actor and character [he's] playing.”

It’s a pleasure to know there are still dedicated actors out there who don’t publicize their politics which sometimes turns off the public. Well, it turns me off anyway.

When I heard he was playing the title role in The Incredible Hulk (for which he wrote the screenplay), I could hardly believe it. Then I realized — this is Ed Norton. He can do anything.

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