Watch Norman

In the movie "Norman" from 2016, Richard Gere stars as Norman Oppenheimer, a small-time Jewish fixer in New York City whose dream is to become a big-time player within the political elite. Despite his best efforts, Norman is a lonely man who constantly seeks validation from those around him. One day, Norman meets an Israeli diplomat named Micha Eshel (Lior Ashkenazi) during a conference in the city. Norman is drawn to Eshel, seeing an opportunity to make connections in the Israeli government through him. The two men form a bond, and Eshel even invites Norman to visit him in Israel.

Years later, Eshel becomes the Prime Minister of Israel, and Norman sees this as his chance to finally gain the respect and influence he's always wanted. He uses his connections to get close to Eshel again, but his actions inadvertently set off a chain reaction of events that threaten to destroy Eshel's career and reputation.

As Norman tries desperately to fix the mess he's made, he must confront the reality of his own loneliness and lack of genuine relationships. Along the way, he meets a variety of characters, including an idealistic young rabbi (Michael Sheen) and a wisecracking businessman (Dan Stevens), who all have their own agendas and add to the intrigue and complexity of the story.

The film explores themes of power, ambition, loyalty, and the complex relationships that underlie politics and influence. It also delves into the psychology of a man like Norman, who is driven by a need for connection and validation, even if it means bending the truth and manipulating those around him.

The acting in the film is top-notch, with Gere giving a nuanced and layered performance as Norman, whose motivations and emotions are often murky and difficult to decode. Ashkenazi is equally compelling as Eshel, a man who is used to playing political games but is taken off guard by the sincerity and friendship of someone like Norman.

The film's pacing is deliberate, with a focus on character development and atmosphere over action and spectacle. The cinematography is stunning, with beautiful shots of both New York City and Israel that add to the sense of place and mood.

Overall, "Norman" is a thought-provoking and engrossing drama that offers a unique and humanizing look into the world of politics and the people who seek to influence it. With a talented cast and a compelling storyline, it's a film that will keep viewers engaged from beginning to end.

Norman is a 2017 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 57 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 75.