The Milwaukee Post

May 5, 2017 • Milwaukee County Post • 15 'Norman' deftly acted, creatively told 'Junie B. Jones' is a fun-filled delight By TOM JOZWIK Post Film Critic "Norman," Israeli direc- tor Joseph Cedar's first English-language film, is subtitled "The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer." That summarizing subti- tle distinguishes Cedar's dark comedy from the 2010 coming-of-age movie helmed by Jonathan Segal and named, simply, "Norman." In the new film, Richard Gere plays Norman Oppenheimer, the fixer. Gere neatly blends brashness and befuddlement, empathy and egotism — and likability, always likability. Perhaps because he's so relatable in his vulnerability, I like Oppenheimer more than any previous Gere character I've encountered. I'm convinced Norman deserves to be liked. Not to be believed because he habitually plays loose with the truth. ("Why," somebody asks him, "do I get the feel- ing that nothing you tell me is real?" Others speak of "his empty promises" and denounce Oppenheimer as "a delusional name-drop- per.") But Norman, who sounds uncannily like Mandy Patinkin, has a twinkle in his eye, a warm smile and a desire to help others that's at least as powerful as his desire to help himself. "I'm offering my services," he says. "I'm just here to help." One man calls him "the most generous person I know." How can anybody not like Norman Oppenheimer? Walking the sidewalks of New York (he has no office) in tam and camel coat, Norman forever tries to con- nect with movers and shak- ers. While the two-hour movie — to its credit, it seems much shorter — is still young, he manages to bond with a visiting Israeli politician (Lior Ashkenazi), who confides that his future in government is dubious. Oppenheimer takes a chance and buys the pol, Eshel, "the most expensive shoes in all of New York." "For once I bet on the right horse," Norman recalls a few years later. Indeed, Eshel has by this time become Israel's prime min- ister and repaid the erst- while kindness by allowing Norman to bask in his reflected light. "My personal honorary adviser to New York Jewry," the prime min- ister publicly calls Oppenheimer. "If you ever need anything," adds Eshel, "feel free to call." The con- nection creates excellent networking opportunities for Oppenheimer, but also yields requests difficult to fulfill. Antecedent films come to mind: "The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz," "Being There" and "Play It Again, Sam," all of which I enjoyed in a bygone generation. Even more, I enjoyed the plot (hardly as predictable as the subtitle might sug- gest) and the numerous deft performances in "Norman," whose script is lean and idiomatic. Steve Buscemi, to name just one actor, is won- derful to watch, thoroughly convincing in taking on a variety of emotions as Oppenheimer's ungodly rabbi. Actors pantomiming while instrumental music (light-hearted even in heavy scenes) substitutes for dia- logue; characters shown in the same room (although completely ignoring one another) when they're actu- ally far apart; the camera's focusing on a listener's reac- tion instead of showing the speaker — such inventive techniques in "Norman" leave a positive impression. Ditto the movie as a whole. Sony Pictures Classic Characters played by Richard Gere, left, and Lior Ashkenazi are kindred spirits — despite a sequence wherein one dines at a five-star restaurant while the other sups on crackers at a synagogue — in the dark comedy "Norman." ENTERTAINMENT "Gifted" ★★★1/2 Starring: Richard Gere, Lior Ashkenazi, Steve Buscemi, Michael Sheen, Charlotte Gainsbourg Director-writer: Joseph Cedar MPAA rating: R Running time: 118 minutes Release date: Friday Showings: www.landmark- theatres.com At a glance By JULIE MCHALE Post Theater Critic MILWAUKEE — Junie B. Jones is a beloved charac- ter in all of Barbara Park's 28 books (1992-2013). We fol- low this unique kindergart- ner and first-grader as she tries to make sense of her life and herself. Many of Park's books have been translated into plays, and "Junie B. Jones Is Not a Crook" is not the first script that First Stage has tackled. This story only works if you have a strong actor playing Junie B. Not to worry, Selma Rivera of the Lost Cast is marvelous in the role. Some of her compatriots are good, too, especially Tessa Benedic, the self-cen- tered rich girl; Erianna Ashmore-Purifoy, the speed- ster; and Zachary Church, the fat-headed meanie. The other two are a little diffi- cult to hear at times. The adult characters who figured into the plot are Junie B.'s mom and teacher, both nicely portrayed by Kay Allmand; her principal and grandpa, both sharply delineated by Dan Katula, and the grouchy typist, Lachrisa Grandberry. Occasionally we also heard from Junie's younger broth- er Olllie, a newbie she some- what resents. The dilemma that Junie faces in this story is an ethi- cal one. She has lost her favorite furry mittens given to her "for no reason" by her beloved Grandpa, but shortly thereafter she finds a magic pen, which she thinks she deserves to keep to make up for what she has lost. Should she put it in the lost-and-found box at school or follow the finders-keep- ers rule? Hmmm. Besides the mittens prob- lem, she also discovers that Warren (Ryon Davis) a boy she's fond of, thinks she's a nut job. The other kids at school also think she's a bit extreme. So the problem with peers is one that all kids have to deal with, Junie B. being no exception. Having a wise grandparent always helps, though. The humor is rampant throughout. Rivera is an absolute delight to watch, and at the end of the play, when all the kids end up falling on the floor laugh- ing, we feel like joining them. Set designer Joe C. Klug created a colorful, playful set. The drawings on the back wall were especially appropriate and changes of venue were easily executed. Costume designer Jaclyn Bjornson provided some smiles with her choices and director James Fletcher brought all the elements together with finesse. If you've never met Junie B. Jones, you're missing a treat. You will now want to see one of her first-grade adventures in one of the last 11 books. I hope First Stage brings us more encounters with this incom- parable little miss. "Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook" The play runs through May 14 at the Tenth Street Theatre at 10th Street and Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee. Call 414-271- 1371 or visit intandemthe- atre.org for times and tick- ets. At a glance

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