‘Leaves of Grass’ follows twins; ‘Sweetgrass’ joins a sheep drive

“Leaves of Grass,” written and directed by Tim Blake Nelson, is one of the most unusual “two handers” to hit theaters in quite some time — a classically themed family drama about identical twin brothers (both played by Edward Norton) that also manages to pull off some rather ribald pot jokes.

The film, which opens Friday in New York City and Dallas with additional dates to follow, features an Ivy League classics professor (Norton) who is drawn back to his native Oklahoma under false pretenses. Once there, he reluctantly reengages with his mother (Susan Sarandon) and is drawn into helping his rebellious twin brother, who has turned into something of a savant at growing marijuana. When things go wrong with a Tulsa businessman/drug dealer (played with zeal by Richard Dreyfuss), things get complicated.

Nelson wrote the dual parts with Norton in mind. The pair recently sat down for an interview in Austin, Texas, after the film’s screening at the South By Southwest film festival. Although Norton says that being offered a part written specifically for him in and of itself did not influence him to take the part, it was the dual role that helped persuade him.

“I’ve said this jokingly, but it is kind of true,” Norton said. “Actors spend a lot of time hunting around trying to find a role, so if you offer them two very good roles, you’ll put on a dog collar and be led around wherever they want you to go. It’s a very good way to get an actor to come work on your project.”

Read the rest of this entry »