Edward Norton Back to Back Double Feature

I had the pleasure of watching two Edward Norton films this past weekend. One was an old favorite and the other was new to me though released several years ago. I never ceased to be amazed by the subtle yet impressive acting chops by Mr. Norton. I was first introduced to him while watching 1997’s Primal Fear. That performance is still outstanding even after all this time. If there ever was an actor robbed of an Oscar it was him for role of Aaron/Roy! He was exquisite and so believable. I knew then he was a forced to be reckoned with and each subsequent role proved his staying power from American History X to the disturbing 25^th Hour. But I’m here today to talk about two his more romantic features which are both sadly underrated and unnoticed.

The Painted Veil (2006)

Based on the novel by W. Somerset Maugham of the same name, this story follows a recently married couple into a cholera epidemic in 1920s China. Despite its morbid tone, there’s actually quite a bit of hope and forgiveness in this film. It’s a tale of love, infidelity, betrayal, deceit, absolution, and growth. Edward Norton and Naomi Watts play the newlywed couple from London visiting Shanghai during a tumultuous time. Norton’s Dr. Fane is a bacteriologist studying microorganisms and has trouble relating to human beings. He’s stuffy, reserved, and socially awkward yet somehow manages to convince the lively socialite Kitty (Watts) to marry him and settle to China while he continues to study. Of course the marriage fails before it begins due to their differences in cultures, taste, and overall personalities. They simply don’t know each other that well. The wife cheats and the husband plots an ingenious revenge. He will take her on a voyage to a small town in China stricken with a deadly Cholera epidemic. I’m not making Dr. Fane sound all that appealing, but truthfully he wasn’t in the beginning. Neither was she. But in time they come to lower their shields and let each other in once the anger subsides. It isn't terribly difficult to see what’s important in life when surrounded by such despair and death. The local residents are dying quickly from the disease while Norton’s character tries to save the contaminated water from further spreading the outbreak. This movie is so superbly filmed. The scenery, the atmosphere, the tone, and the music all work so well to make it incredibly beautiful. These characters are not always the most likeable but it adds realism to how betrayal can bring out such ugliness. As Kitty explains to Dr. Fane people make mistakes, disappoint, and are much more complex than the microbes he religiously studies. What drew me to this film was it's perfectly paced tone. The characters slowly evolve and reveal themselves to its audience. We come to care for them and want them to find each other. Much of their dialogue is understated and yet we feel so much. The emotion pours through the screen due in large part to both Norton and Watts incredible acting. They play off each other in such a way that even when they’re arguing it’s like a little intriguing dance. I can’t say much more without spoiling the story, but it’s such a shame this movie wasn’t given more recognition not only by the Academy but by the box office. It’s an absolute gem all movie lovers must go and see immediately.

Down in the Valley (2005)

Here we have another romantic tale gone wrong. Norton plays Harlan…a 30 something unambitious cowboy working at a gas station in the San Fernando valley. When I say cowboy, I mean he really believes he’s from the old west. He seems oddly misplaced in this hectic city life where he simply wants to ride a horse and shoot his guns like Billy the Kid. He refuses to drive a car believing it's the same as being locked inside a box all the time. He likes to roam free by bus or horse, of course. He meets 17 year old Tobe played by Evan Rachel Wood. She’s spirited, feisty, and rebellious towards her father. So of course she wants to ride off into the sunset with the cowboy. As the story begins to unfold we see there’s much more complexity between the characters mainly stemming from Harlan. Does he really believe he’s a cowboy wandering the streets? What exactly is his deal? He doesn’t seem to have any career ambitions. He mentioned working on a ranch, but those of us who have visited Southern California know there are a very few ranches to come by. The straining relationship between Tobe and her father becomes increasingly strenuous as she grows closer to Harlan. Then there’s Tobe’s younger misguided brother who is quiet and could be easily misled which becomes obvious when he starts hanging around Harlan as well. Again, I can’t say much more without spoiling the story, but I will say this film took an unexpected twist half way through which threw me for a loop. Once again Norton is able to take on a character driven role and play it with such tenderness and innocence you almost walk away believing anything he says which can prove manipulating in the long run. It’s not a perfect film and I have issues with the abrupt ending, but it’s worth a watch for the acting performance from all involved. Still, if I had to choose The Painted Veil is a far more superior film.