The new Bob Odenkirk film “Normal” is now available to rent or buy on digital and it’s a blast.
Literally.
In fact, in the words of the screenwriter Derek Kolstad, “It’s not a film. It’s a f***in’ movie!”
I had the chance to chat with Kolstad, who is also the creator of the “John Wick” franchise and the writer of Odenkirk’s “Nobody,” and it became clear why “Normal” is the fun flick that it is—because Kolstad loves what he does. And it sounds like the rest of the cast and crew felt the same way.
Normal – Official Trailer | Bob Odenkirk, Henry Winkler, Lena Headey | Now in Theaters
The official synopsis describes “Normal” as a “kinetic neo-Western [that] stars Odenkirk as an unassuming substitute sheriff with a troubled past who, after moving to a small, sleepy town, responds to a bank robbery and unknowingly uncovers something far more explosive.
For Sheriff Ulysses (Odenkirk), his provisional posting to the quaint Midwestern American town of Normal was meant to be a welcome respite from both his marital woes and recent moral injuries in the line of duty. But when a botched bank robbery interrupts the municipality’s tranquil pace, a dark secret is inadvertently exposed, and Ulysses soon discovers that the town is anything but its namesake.”
In other words, Odenkirk is the new sheriff in a town where shit hits the fan. It’s delightfully unhinged and extremely self-aware—think Kill Bill-esque over-the-top conflicts.
“’Normal’ knows it’s a movie and it can’t wait for people to watch it,” laughed Kolstad.
He and Odenkirk played with the idea of “Normal” after Kolstad wrote the treatment on the set of “Nobody”. Kolstad wanted it to be a love letter to the films he enjoyed as a kid—the gallows humor of “Final Destination”, the guy-walks-into-a-town “Bad Day at Black Rock”—and the rest of the cast and crew followed suit.
“I built the sandbox. I filled it with sand. And then everyone brought their toys and played,” shared Kolstad.
From there, everyone—from Director of Photography Armando Salas to Director Ben Wheathley—cracked themselves up with ideas. Odenkirk had such a blast making the project that after he wrapped, he went home, shaved his mustache, then came back to set just to hang out.
“How cool is that?” Kolstad gushed.
Very cool. When you have A-list talent on your call sheet, you can expect them to protect their energy and their boundaries. Remember, celebrities are chased down the street when they step out of their homes. They wrap on set and GTFO.
Not Bob Odenkirk. Not on “Normal”.
That kind of enthusiasm and love of the genre is woven into the film, directed by Ben Wheatley and starring Odenkirk, Henry Winkler (“Barry”), Lena Headey (“Game of Thrones”_, and a host of incredible supporting cast members who truly must have had the times of their lives on this project.
“Hutch from ‘Nobody’ sees a burning building and hears gunfire and he sprints inside. Ulysses, though, from ‘Normal,’ sees the burning building and goes ‘eh, no,’ but then he hears a woman screaming from inside and he sighs and goes, ‘oh fine.’ But as soon as he makes that decision, he’s off to the races,” Kolstad said, distinguishing Odenkirk’s varied hero roles.
It’s not a small task to take a guy in his 60s best known for comedy and turn him into one of the best action stars out there.
When I asked Kolstad what he hopes audiences will take away from this film, he reminisced on his favorite films to turn to when he just wants to chill out.
“’Cabin in the Woods.’ ‘Predator.’ ‘Hunt for Red October.’ ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.’ These are favorites of mine. Yes, I want this to find an audience—and it has—but what I really want is for this to make the rotation of the guy who is chopping vegetables for dinner and says, ‘I’m gonna watch ‘Normal’ again.’”
That list alone should give you an idea of the vibes you’ll get from “Normal:” irreverent, playful, self-aware. It’s not the bullet that kills—it’s the bullet that hits the thing that falls and crushes skulls. And it’s a damn fun time.
“Normal” is now available to rent or buy on digital release. Do enjoy it.
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