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Edward Norton, Tim Blake Nelson, Susan Sarandon, Richard Dreyfuss, Keri Russell ... see more see more... , Josh Pais , Pruitt Taylor Vince , Melanie Lynskey , Lucy DeVito , Steve Earle , Kent Jude Bernard , Amelia Campbell , Randal Reeder , Leo Fabian , Tina Parker , Ty Burrell , Lee Wilkof , Lisa Benavides , Jenna Podell , Henry Max Nelson , Theodore Kaiser Nelson , Alyssia Dujmovich , Ken Cheeseman , Naima Imani Lett , Maggie Siff , Tim Ware , Tim Fletcher , Robin McGee , Chris Freihofer

An Ivy League classics professor becomes mixed up in his lawless identical twin's drug dealings after receiving word that his brother has been murdered, and returning to Oklahoma to discover he's been... read more read more... hoodwinked. To say that Bill Kincaid (Edward Norton) is ashamed of his upbringing is an understatement at best. Turning his back on his working-class parents and working diligently to erase any traces of his Southern accent, Bill develops a reputation as a true scholar dedicated to excellence and philosophical exploration. His brother, Brady (also Norton), on the other hand, grows weed. Arriving home to find Brady very much alive, Bill winds up mending bridges with their capricious mother, Daisy (Susan Sarandon), and reluctantly agrees to help his brother out of a tight jam involving notorious drug kingpin Pug Rothbaum (Richard Dreyfuss), who might just send both siblings to an early grave. Meanwhile, Bill can't help noticing that free-spirited poet Janet (Keri Russell) has somehow managed to find true happiness in the most unlikely surroundings. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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49% liked it

14,066 ratings

Critics

63% liked it

35 critics

R, 1 hr. 44 min.

Directed by: Tim Blake Nelson

Release Date: April 2, 2010

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DVD Release Date: October 12, 2010

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Flixster Reviews (1,014)

  • cosmo313
    March 11, 2012
    cosmo313
    Because of this film's mixture of wild, wacky characters, crime drama, stoner comedy, nutty plot, and philosophy, it would be understandable if you confused this with being a film made by the Coen Brothers. It's not, but its writer/director/co-star Tim Blake Nelson did work with ... read morethe duo, so maybe that might account for the similarities. As a Coen clone (which I don't think it's trying to be, or should be labeled as), it's okay, but it fares better when looked at on it's own terms.

    Bill Kincaid (Edward Norton) is a professor of classical philosophy at Brown University whose career is at a crossroads. When he gets a call informing him that his estranged twin brother Brady- a goofy, redneck genius pot grower and seller (also played by Norton) has been murdered by a crossbow in a drug deal gone awry, he journeys home to Little Dixie , Oklahoma (the place he was happy to leave) to attend the funeral.

    When he gets there though, Bill discovers that he has been misinformed, and finds himself caught up in his brother's shenanigans which not only could put them both at risk, but could also finally help Bill discover what it truly means to be happy.

    Based on the concept and casting alone, I was hooked. This is a really fun, and funny movie. Nelson really knows the material well (He's from Tulsa and studied classical philosophy at Brown), so the film is actually pretty accurate, even if slightly exaggerated. The film may not be totally original (again, it's very Coenesque at times), but it's well played, and never boring.

    The plot does get kinda messy, and the tone is a little uneven at times (maybe the comedy should have been blacker), but all in all, this is a highly entertaining film that made me feel a little better about life and myself for having watched it. So yeah, there's some flaws, but what really saves the film is the awesome casting and terrific performances.

    Norton is a real delight here. He's never been a bad actor, but this gives him the tough challnege of trying to pull off two very different characters who spend a lot of time engaging with one another. Thankfully, he pulls it off nicely. Nelson gives himself the fun, but familiar role of Brady's best friend Bolger, who, like Brady, is a good old boy who loves pot, is a proud redneck, but a lot sharper than he seems. Susan Srandon has some fun as Bill and Brady's eccentric mother Daisy, and Melanie Lynskey seems to be enjoying herself as Brady's pregnant girlfriend/soon to be wife. She's good, but it would have been nice to see more of her. As a potential love interest for Bill we have Keri Russell as Janet- a free spiritied poet who loves to go noodling and recite Walt Whitman while gutting catfish. The love subplot between Janet and Bill is kinda one of the weaker parts of the film (it could have been done better), but it's not bad enough to sink the film. In a really small, but wonderfulyl odd role is the great Richard Dreyfuss as Pug Rothbaum- a menacing antagonist who threatens Brady's criminal enterprises.

    All in all, this is a weird, crazy mess, and it shouldn't really work, yet it somehow all does come together. It could be better, but for what it is, this is quite hilarious, a bit profound, and a real joy to watch. Give this one a look.
  • fb100000145236770
    January 1, 2012
    fb100000145236770
    I'm a big Edward Norton fan. "American History X", "The Score", "Primal Fear" are all three great movies, anchored by Norton. Even his take on playing "The Hulk" was fantastic. However, even he doesn't make great movies every time out. "Leaves of Grass" is about twin brothers... read more Bill and Brady(both played by Norton). Bill is an Ivy league professor ashamed of his past, not wanting anything to do with his brother, mother or anyone from Oklahoma(where he was from). Brady is still in Oklahoma and is a pot grower. Brady has a fiancee and a baby on the way and ends up in a jam involving a drug kingpin(Richard Dreyfuss). Needing help, Brady tricks his brother into returning home to get him out of his situation. Norton does great in the dueling roles. He uses a great southern accent for Brady, and u believe there really is two of them. The problem with the movie isn't really Nortons fault, it's more of the story/direction. The ending is kind of odd, and in my opinion, doesn't really fit with the rest of the movie. This could have been a really good comedy, instead it's just a less than average drama. Worth a watch if your a Norton fan, if not then you would probably be better off to skip it.
  • blacksheepboy
    November 8, 2011
    blacksheepboy
    A pseudo-philosophical comedy that begins well but then dives into sheer stupidity after the first forty minutes. Even if Edward Norton is great playing twin brothers, the plot seems absolutely pointless, shifting with no tact from light comedy to overviolent thriller and cheap m... read moreelodrama.
  • itsjustme2004
    August 29, 2011
    itsjustme2004
    I am an Ed Norton fan, so I am probably a little biased. This is a different, but entertaining movie. Stick with it, and it eventually makes sense. Plenty of familiar faces pop up in this little film.
  • ythelastman89
    June 20, 2011
    ythelastman89
    Very much a counterpart to Adaptation and a great dramedy involving twins. Edward Norton gives a dual performance like no other. One of the brothers is so outrageous and goofy, but his other is more reserved and normal. I think doing that helps make the idea way more believable. ... read moreIt's just so bizarre seeing him interact with himself and be two completely different people at the same time. That aspect alone makes this a worthwhile movie, but ten the story ends up being really unique and genre bending that it's even better. The fact that this goes from a complete comedy to a pretty serious drama is odd, but it has an effect that really makes you look deeper into the characters. Leaves of Grass might not be amazing by an stretch, but I like that it accomplishes everything it sets out to do and really makes for a worthwhile experience.
  • blkbomb
    May 1, 2011
    blkbomb
    For some reason, I love this movie. Nothing, other than Norton's performance is above average. But the sum total is so much fun, I couldn't help but love it.
  • xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    April 2, 2011
    xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    It was an ok movie, not much there nevertheless it was nice to watch and enjoy,i didn't know if it was a comedy or a drama, those kinda movies usually dissapoint but still this movie was worth watching.

    he lives of two identical twins, one an Ivy League philosophy professor, th... read moree other a small-time and brilliant marijuana grower, intertwine when the professor is lured back to his Oklahoma hometown for a doomed scheme against a local drug lord.
  • MrMarakai
    January 14, 2011
    MrMarakai
    The last time Edward Norton shifted between characters, showing his range, was in his film debut "Primal Fear", gathering him an Oscar nomination and catapulting him to stardom. Here, he does similiar work, but the result this time, is a very mixed bag.
    Bill Kincaid (Norton) is ... read morea respected philosophy professor, who has also been invited to join a law firm using his philosophical teachings. Before that happens though, he recieves a call informing him that his twin brother Brady (Norton again) has been killed. Lured back to his hometown of Oklahoma, Bill soons realises that Brady is alive and well and that he's been fooled into his brothers involvement with growing marijuana and taking on a local criminal (Richard Dreyfuss).
    Maybe working with the Coen brothers (on "O Brother Where Art Thou?") has lead director/writer/actor Tim Blake Nelson into a false sense of security in his talents and delusions of granduer. It seems as though it's the Coens' effortless, genre blending skills he's trying to emulate here but he simply doesn't have their finesse. This is an uneven mish-mash of ideas with gaping holes in the plot and extreme changes in tone, shifting from a humourous approach to downright nasty and violent. It doesn't get the balance right at all and might well have worked better had it decided what it wanted to be. Instead, it meanders, playing unsuccessfully with genres and only marginally keeping your interest with the impressive actors on screen.
    A real shame despite the talent involved. Norton and Susan Sarandon (who plays his mother) are two of my favourites. Nelson is always good support and also seems to have a good grasp of philosophy, but this time around I can only assume that the studio got their hands on this one, cutting it to shreds. Otherwise, it's been a big mistake by all involved.
    Its fairly appealling to watch Norton play off himself but he's been much better before and the script seriously let's his efforts down. A philosophical, hydroponic mess.
  • LWOODS04
    November 26, 2010
    LWOODS04
    Cast: Edward Norton, Richard Dreyfuss, Susan Sarandon, Keri Russell, Tim Blake Nelson, Steve Earle, Lucy DeVito, Melanie Lynskey, Josh Pais, Maggie Siff, Ty Burrell

    Director: Tim Blake Nelson

    Summary: Edward Norton stars in this quirky tale centered on a respected Ivy Leag... read moreue professor who's lured back to Oklahoma to help his equally brilliant twin brother -- who grows the world's finest hydroponic marijuana -- best a big-time pot pusher (Richard Dreyfuss).

    My Thoughts: "This film had a bit of a tug of war effect on me. I was into it one moment, laughing and interested. Then one moment I found it boring. So I guess in the end this movie just had moments. Edward Norton was great in this and did a great job at playing twins Bill and Brady. His performance besides Tim Blake's, is the only memorable one's in this. Not the greatest film these actor's have done by a long shot. See it, or don't. I honestly don't think you will be missing out on anything either way."
  • fb500439213
    October 16, 2010
    fb500439213
    Plagiarizing the Coen bros.' brand of disorganized crime and cerebral existentialism, the film is a scattershot assembly of tones and Norton's hillbilly shtick runs thin.

View All Leaves of Grass Reviews

Critic Reviews

Gary Goldstein
September 28, 2010
Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times

An offbeat thriller that is deepened -- rather than derailed -- by its tricky shift from darkly funny to just plain dark. Full Review

Lou Lumenick
September 17, 2010
Lou Lumenick, New York Post

As a writer-director, Nelson keeps the laughs coming at a steady pace, and never condescends to his articulate redneck characters. Full Review

Neil Genzlinger
September 17, 2010
Neil Genzlinger, New York Times

Mr. Norton is a pleasure to watch, and so is everyone else. Full Review

A.O. Scott
April 5, 2010
A.O. Scott, At the Movies

It's not the violence itself that bothers me, it's just that it completely destroys the tone of the movie. Full Review

Michael Phillips
April 5, 2010
Michael Phillips, At the Movies

You could get whiplash from his movie's mood swings. Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum
March 31, 2010
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

The movie bubbles with intellectual curiosity and narrative ambition. And for that I dig it, even if Leaves of Grass has the habit of swerving and sometimes lurching from tone to tone. Full Review

Rex Reed
March 31, 2010
Rex Reed, New York Observer

It's just another oblique backfire from Tim Blake Nelson, whose work as a writer-director in general wallows in a bog of mediocrity. Full Review

Roger Ebert
March 29, 2010
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Tim Blake Nelson's Leaves of Grass is some kind of sweet, wacky masterpiece. It takes all sorts of risks, including a dual role with Edward Norton playing twin brothers, and it pulls them off. Full Review

David Denby
March 29, 2010
David Denby, New Yorker

The movie is a showcase for digital technology and for Norton's virtuosity, but I wish it weren't such a weightless shambles. Full Review

David Edelstein
March 29, 2010
David Edelstein, New York Magazine

Leaves of Grass is part goofy drug comedy, part shocking bloodbath. It's a riot of tones and genres, but unlike that other recent hybrid, Pineapple Express, the parts add up to something larger. Full Review

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    • Brady Kincaid: You can't synthesize that. That is nature?s delivery system for goodness. Distilled into a pure form. It glides down into your belly, and blooms into a feeling of peace. In this world beset by evil.
    • Brady Kincaid: I was born just a few minutes before my brother, Brady. He lived life on his own terms, indifferent to fear - either his own, or those of others. And, let's be honest, by any normal measure my brother was a criminal and a colossal fuckup.
    • Daisy: What's your aversion to proper grammar?
    • Brady Kincaid: Rhythm maybe.
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