Movie Review: Leaves Of Grass

An Ivy League philosophy professor is drawn back to his family in Oklahoma, where he reluctantly becomes involved with his identical twin brother’s pot growing business. The professor is forced to face his mother and brother in a new light, and in the process evaluate the polar opposites of his current and past life.

Tim Blake Nelson (O Brother Where Art Thou), in his directorial debut does a fine job here of both the screenplay and direction of this funny, quirky film. Nelson wrote the parts of Bill and Brady Kincaid for Edward Norton. Norton manages to make the two brothers believable not only as two distinct characters, but creates a real chemistry between the brothers, not so easy to do when you are playing opposite yourself. There are great ensemble performances given by Susan Sarandon, Keri Russell, Richard Dreyfuss, Lucy DeVito, and Tim Blake Nelson.

This dark comedy is a funny, clever, well-written, an insightful look at family roots and what is really important in life. Leaves Of Grass is worth watching and one to add on your must see list.

2009. Written and directed by Tim Blake Nelson. Starring Edward Norton, Tim Blake Nelson, Susan Sarandon, Keri Russell, Amelia Campbell, Randal Reeder, Leo Fabian, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Lucy DeVito, Ty Burrell, and Richard Dreyfuss.

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