Two-time Emmy winner Bob Odenkirk continues his successful collaboration with writer Derek Kolstad in his latest action film, “Nowhere,” from Magnolia Pictures. Ben Wheatley directs the film from a story by Odenkirk and Kolstad.
After an incident on the job that also resulted in a bout of PTSD and put a strain on his marriage, Sheriff Ulysses (Odenkirk) has relocated to a small town in the Midwest as an interim sheriff, filling in for the town’s Sheriff who recently passed away. Ulysses is welcomed with open arms by Deputy Mike (Billy MacLellan), bartender Moira (Lena Headley), Mayor Kibner (Henry Winker), and other residents of the town.
The only real threat on his side is Deputy Blane (Ryan Allen), who hoped to get the job. On the surface, Normal seems like a modern-day version of Mayberry, but after drifters Lori (Renna Jolly) and Keith (Brendan Fletcher) botch a bank robbery, Ulysses quickly finds himself in the fight for his life, learning the town isn’t so normal after all.
While most got hip to Bob Odenkirk as the character Saul Goodman, my introduction to him was as a comedian and later director. Oftentimes, when I revisit a film from the nineties, I’ll see Odenkirk show up in a bit role. But in 2021, Odenkirk truly won me over with the action hit “Nobody,” and its 2024 sequel.
For his latest film, Odenkirk gives us a new character who is more of an everyman in a tough situation, rather than someone with a particular set of skills, which I respected. The film starts a bit slowly as it introduces us to everyone in the titular town, before the bank robbery sets everything in motion, delivering the action goods.
Odenkirk delivers dry wit as Ulysses and avoids cheesy one-liners. He also takes his fair share of hits and has no plot armor. There is another plot beat in “Normal” involving the Yakuza, but I would rather viewers experience it for themselves. What I can say is that I was relieved that the script didn’t use the angle of Ulysses having ties to the Yakuza.
While this is the Odenkirk show, the supporting cast is good. Generally, they fall into the character tropes of small folks, but with a few twists. One of the most surprising factors is seeing Henry Winkler go against type and drop some f-bombs, which surprisingly comes off as organic.
Running at a quick pace for 90 minutes, “Normal” is a fun action comedy that recalls the Charles Bronson era at Cannon Films. Here’s hoping we get another collab from Odenkik and Derek Kolstad in the near future.
Final Grade: B+
“Normal” opens in theaters tomorrow.
