Plot Overview"Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer" is a 2016 American-Israeli drama film directed by Joseph Cedar. It follows the life of Norman Oppenheimer (Richard Gere), an aging and lonely New Yorker who operates on the fringe of New York City's Jewish community as a fixer, assuring to make connections for individuals for a cost. The storyline dips and curves as Norman's actions result in both remarkable success and heartbreaking failure.
Norman's Strategic AllianceNorman's life takes an unforeseen turn when he befriends Micha Eshel (Lior Ashkenazi), a low-level Israeli political leader at a low point in his career. Spotting Eshel at a reception, Norman buys him a costly set of shoes, a relatively unimportant act that Eshel does not forget. Three years later on, Eshel ends up being the Prime Minister of Israel. Keeping in mind Norman's kind gesture, Eshel brings Norman into his inner circle, dramatically altering his social status. It appears that Norman has actually finally made a connection that validated his so-called consultancy work.
The Spiral of ComplicationsNorman's new discovered connection with the Prime Minister excites the interest of several celebrations. He becomes involved in a series of conflicts including New York City's Jewish neighborhood's leaders, a suspicious financial offer, and a possible worldwide political scandal. As Norman tries to utilize his ties to Eshel to appease various pressures, his tactics begin to backfire and the stakes continue to rise.
Norman's DownfallHowever, Norman's web of white lies begins to decipher, leading to his tragic downfall. When a potential scandal threatens Eshel's position, Norman becomes a liability instead of an asset. Although he tries to navigate through the complex circumstances he's managed to get himself knotted in, his signature technique of extending the truth just digs a deeper hole. As an outcome, he finds himself alienated from those he tried to connect with and suffers loss on a grand scale.
Styles and StyleThe movie explores styles of loneliness, the human requirement for connection, and the fine line in between reality and deceptiveness. Richard Gere's fascinating performance as Norman is the linchpin of the movie, embodying a man frantically attempting to make a distinction in a world that continually renders him inefficient. Through using a downplayed and dry humor, director Cedar paints a poignant and tragic figure of a man escape of his depth, but still attempting to swim.
ConclusionIn the end, "Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer" informs a mournful tale of a well-intentioned however misguided guy who succumbs to his own ambition. Chasing an impossible dream of significance and respectability, Norman unknowingly sets off a chain of occasions that cause his destroy. The movie majestically catches the volatility of the world of politics, the fragility of alliances, and the alarming consequences of overreaching. Despite its bleak ending, the movie is a reflection and critique of the pursuit of power, connection, and social validation.
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