Leaves of Grass

Yep, this is an Edward Norton twin movie. Now, if you're like me you may think that you've seen Mr. Norton playing twins before. But upon reflection I realized that he may not have - just several roles with two personalities in the same body. Regardless, if you want a movie with twins this is a much better one than something starring, say Danny DeVito.

Norton's characters are twin brothers raised under modest circumstances. One has gone on to use his intelligence to become a successful professor of anthropology. The other has used his intellect to become the most skilled marijuana grower in his part of Oklahoma. When trouble occurs for the one living the thug life (OK, not really) he tricks the estranged professor back home to help out. During his homecoming he of course grows as a person and begins to understand what he's left behind in the manner of such movie stories. While you think you can see everything about where the film is going there is enough randomness to keep it interesting and enough good acting and humor for its charms to grow on me for at least several days after seeing it. Just take a look at the trailer - if it looks reasonable to you I'd suggest checking it out. I certainly enjoyed it.  Nicely understated most of the way through and still able to surprise.

I wish I'd had a chance to speak with the director after the screening. He and Norton mentioned that they shot with a rather modest budget. Given that the twin shots are particularly impressive. Most films of this sort tend to only show one person clearly at a time. But in this case there's at least one shot where both brothers are clearly in on shot - and moving rapidly together. It was (at least to me) a very seamless effect that made me forget at times there was only one actor involved.