Netflix Instant Watch Recommendation of the Week: Leaves of Grass

Sorry for the late post, but I have been woefully overwhelmed with finals work for school... BUT I SHALL BE OVERWHELMED NO LONGER!!! 'Cause, you know... I finished this afternoon. That is not important, however. What IS important is that it's time for another movie recommendation, and I am quite happy this week to be recommending the 2009 dark comedy-drama "Leaves of Grass," written and directed by Tim Blake Nelson.

You may recognize Tim Blake Nelson as an actor (O Brother Where Art Thou, The Incredible Hulk), and he does make an appearance in this film, but he also the mind behind this quirky crime dramedy. Starring in the film (and co-starring, as the case may be) is the reliably fantastic Edward Norton, playing Ivy League philosophy professor Bill Kincaid and his identical twin pot-growing brother, Brady. The film also features Susan Sarandon, Richard Dreyfuss, and Keri Russell in supporting roles.

The plot of the film surrounds Bill Kincaid, as he is tricked into leaving his posh university surroundings to visit his cleverly criminal twin brother in a small, Southern town outside of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Predictably, he ends up getting caught up in a variety of shady dealings as a result of looking exactly like the notorious Brady, and hijinks inevitably ensue. While the plot of the film is relatively standard, it's the execution here that is especially memorable.

The script by Tim Blake Nelson has a great deal of fun with the fact that Bill is a philosophy professor. It opens on a wonderfully written monologue, performed with teacherly subtlety by Norton, where Kincaid is discussing the merits of classical philosophy with his class. Throughout the film, both Bill and Brady have moments of ponderous philosophical conversation, and it's a wonderful examination of the similarities and contrasts between academic philosophy and down-home folksy wisdom. It is said by their mother that Brady has the higher IQ, and he certainly is brilliant in his own quirkily delinquent manner.

Eventually, as tends to be the case in dark crime dramedies, the plot takes a turn for the violent. There are only a few scenes of violence, but they all play out quickly and brutally. While the film is very much engaging from start to finish, I do have a small gripe about the film's violent third act. The film gets much more dramatic, and the pacing ramps up rather rapidly. A lot happens in the final portion of the movie, and it happens a bit too quickly for my tastes. I think the film could have benefited from an extra fifteen minutes or so, but it is quite entertaining throughout. The only downside is that the weight that many of the films climactic moments should have is subverted by the suddenness and brevity with which they happen. It's unfortunate, but by no means a deal breaker.

An easy recommendation, despite its flaws. It's a smartly written film full of enjoyable performances by talented actors. Give it a watch if you like dark, indie dramedies, or if you just like Edward Norton (and really, who doesn't like Edward Norton?).