Edward Norton: the most Complicated Actor of his Generation

[@destroyerOfFate]

how norton did not win, forget win, not even nominated for Fight Club is beyond me, he was unbelievable in that movie.

[@williamdixon-gk2sk]

Bro, that film was so slept on when it 1st came out. I was 14, and I only saw it in theatres because my girlfriend was in love with Brad. It took me months to convince my dad to watch it because the trailers were corny as hell. I can't even imagine what a bunch of Hollywood Dorks thought of it.

[@Dead-bl7to]

You obviously don’t understand how Hollywood works. It’s not about acting but how the Oscar voters feel about the Dee Eee Iee message of the film or character.

[@chaitanyasingh7821]

So true!

[@williamdixon-gk2sk]

@Dead-bl7to jeez dude, that was 25 years ago. That's not why the film was overlooked. It was 1999, one of the greatest years for film ever, and even at 14, until I saw it i thought it looked corny. Later that year I'd get my nose broken for the 1st time in our own fight club. It's a great film, but it was marketed poorly. Not everything is political, brother.

[@Dead-bl7to]

@@williamdixon-gk2sk Lol Benigni won best actor in a movie about a Jewish camp prisoner and Spielberg wins best director and he’s apart of the same group.

[@GiovanniAlckmimRusso]

Regarding Hulk, the blame is on Feige. Norton wanted a more character driven movie and a longer movie, and Leterrier was on board with that. Feige on the other hand wanted a shorter and more action oriented movie. That was the main reason behind the clash between them. And the deleted scenes proved Norton was right. There was more or the sadness that Bruce lives with for being Hulk, more of the relationship between Betty and Leonard, Ross motivations are better explained and you empathize with him because he doesn't want soldiers to die anymore, and Blonsky gets more to do than being just a mad dog chasing Bruce.

[@MrDragonorp]

True, Norton is also in my opinion the better hulk. Rufflo hulk always felt for me abit hollow in any substance. Basically just a cardboard acting filling between the green giant cgi scenes. Even avengers 2 natasha "romance" banter stuff was done poorly.

[@sadboi8458]

Its also sad that marvel kinda took the scene that norton wanted in the hulk where bruce tried to off himself but the hulk spit out the bullet, they didn't make the scene just referenced it in the avengers

[@Chasejones2004]

Exactly 🙏🏽 Thank you!!! Bro it’s marvel and Kevin’s fault

[@trorisk]

Norton is not made for this kind of production. He's a cultured guy who loves art, not a yesman who like "entertaining" films. It's like asking a guy who comes from classical music to do pop-rock... Both are music but one is art the other is simple entertainment

[@GiovanniAlckmimRusso]

@MrDragonorp Ruffalo was pretty good in Avengers 1, though. But from Age of Ultron to right now, whenever he plays Bruce Banner/Hulk it's like he forgot how to be an actor

[@williamdixon-gk2sk]

Supposedly, Norton was interested in doing 'American Psycho', but Bale asked him to pass on the role so he could do it. Which is the right choice.

[@colinjohnston9824]

American Psycho would have been a great addition to Norton's range. Bale did great, but it didn't seem like much of a stretch for the actor.

[@ToddB563]

American Psycho was deemed career suicide and the director is the one who passed on Norton, she wanted Bale from the very beginning

[@dannyarcher6370]

Aesthetically, Bale outdoes Norton for the role of a charismatic, narcissistic Wall Street alpha finance bro. Definitely the right choice.

[@6HauntedDays]

Bale is LEAGUES better than Norton!!! He's a powerhouse now and Norton is meh

[@williamdixon-gk2sk]

@6HauntedDays Seriously man? You and me, were f-king done professionally!

[@NoNameNo.5]

Death to Smoochy is hilarious and criminally underrated….

[@migzydrift]

💯🏆

[@jamiekelly3113]

Couldn’t agree more!! I show this movie to any friend willing

[@randommonstrosities7454]

I don't think that film is for everyone. I remember going to see it with my girlfriend and a group of her friends. Midway though I noticed i was the only one in the entire theater laughing as hard as I was and my girlfriend and her friends were looking at me like I was insane

[@migzydrift]

@@randommonstrosities7454 personally, I love those moments. You’re not insane. You got the joke. 😎

[@ImReloading...]

No, I'm Spinner...

[@Ayogenius67]

Norton as hulk was the best hulk I have ever seen . I liked that movie in school.

[@JavRivera]

The Incredible Hulk always gets singled-out as a bad MCU movie but I thought it was one of the strongest during Phase 1. It still holds up and I think Norton portrayed the best Banner. I do prefer Ruffalo's Hulk but his version of Banner comes across as more comedic than Norton's.

[@237homer238]

he said sorry for quiting.

[@MrRoda8143]

Same. I loved his take on playing Banner. The despair and frustration was on point. Way better than how Ruffalo did it

[@Shlogger]

he took it seriously. that was back when people did that with movies.

[@runthenumbers9698]

I feel like comparing The Hulk to MCU movies isn't really fair. Sure, with hindsight, we can see it didn't really fit... no crossovers... no post-credits teaser, no reference to the MCU, and no real indication that the story would continue. It's easy to look back and see that it didn't really fit... but the same year, IronMan came out. The concept of a larger Cinematic Universe was not a thing during production. The Hulk shouldn't be compared to the superhero movies that came after. It should be compared to superhero movies that came before it. When you look at it in that light, it stacks up pretty favorably.

[@Saskidan]

Fight Club should have gotten more recognition at the time. Probably one of the best movies ever made

[@JoeLaRocca]

Hahahaha

[@votewaldo9876]

Morons didn’t like twist ending.

[@Saskidan]

@@JoeLaRocca You're the only one laughing here nimrod.

[@drone124]

you should watch more movies

[@Saskidan]

@@drone124 Explain why it isn't a quality film.

[@brendo7363]

I have shown Death to Smoochy to dozens of people and never has anyone been less than blown away. It's an absolute gem, everyone involved did an amazing job.

[@gracicarli]

“Turns out he does well when he works with the Director he can trust. “ Incredible observation. So true. The guy has some trauma that led to his control issues, and he now needs to feel safe. He plays a great villain and gives major Kevin Spacey vibes now, especially in the new role, coming up. Not sure if that’s a good thing. But I’m a huge fan of Bobby, so I’ll be seeing that one. Thanks for this breakdown. Subscribed and looking forward to more! Yes, to the fight club one you offered to make🙌🏼

[@gypsydildopunks7083]

25th hour is great, one of my favorites

[@jeanbiroute]

It’s a masterpieces. The movie has 2 monologues and they are both so legendary

[@Subo23]

Amazing movie.

[@Gryzlek]

Shieeeeeeeeet

[@mrmiesfies3941]

Death To Smoochie is highly underrated. Criminally underrated. I don't know how ppl could hate this brilliant satire. And Robin Williams performance was glorious. For me still one of my favourite Norton movies.

[@thisismyname3928]

Says the furry! LOL

[@jadeybaby007]

I really liked Keeping The Faith. It was light and fun. It showed that Ed wasn’t always so serious 😊

[@Malus131]

I just love the fact he was Baldwin IV of Jerusalem in Kingdom of Heaven.

[@riptidemonzarc3103]

Fight Club is now rightly regarded as the film of an era. The Illusionist was by far a superior film to The Prestige but the latter is part of an artistic legacy from the most famous director of our time and so could not but last longer in the cultural memory; but at least at the time The Illusionist was highly regarded. I also recommend Leaves of Grass; it is a much more modest story even than these other two, but it is excellent for what it aspires to, and Norton's performances as two very-different twin brothers is impressive and entertaining.

[@AG-iu9lv]

I saw Fight Club in the theater, and immediately knew it was the film of an era. It wonder if it's always so obvious on a first watch.

[@The-Portland-Daily-Blink]

This is a really well constructed informational video on Norton's history in acting. Well done. I learned a lot.

[@yeti08]

One of the great actors. How was phenomenal in Primal fear.

[@nicholassullivan1239]

Saw Fight Club in the theater. It was one of those movies, electric.

[@marlinavallejos2258]

Myself I prefer the Illusionist but the Prestige was also a very great movie which I don't mind watching again! A very hard choice.

[@jamiekelly3113]

what blows my mind is how ahead of its time Death To Smoochy was. In todays age when childhood front men are being outed as creeps and losers, it’s a great take on such dark (and advanced) humor

[@pinkenbajedi2119]

American history x is a masterpiece ❤

[@standingmaximumverticaljump]

I love the racism of it. IT's held up well in 2024.

[@kendob9642]

I like the song his fat friend is playing in his truck

[@algoner4421]

​@standingmaximumverticaljump it actually points out how full of shit and stupid the racism is.

[@afterdark6822]

It's garbage. 🗑️

[@down2794]

@@afterdark6822whats your favorite movie ?

[@MaryMorley-k9d]

Absolutely LOVED “The Painted Veil.” And I LOVED “The Illutionist.” When he pushes her back against the wall to see the Locket around her neck: one of the most Romantic gestures ever. And Sewell, Fabulous! All the Actor choices were spot on & some on my short list. Thank you sooooo much!!!

[@jonathanrichter4256]

Death to Smoochy is a classic. Both Norton and Williams are fantastic.

[@Esrom_music]

its insane to remember Death to Smoochy was a bomb. Such a brilliant film

[@1024raquel]

One of the few actors in Hollywood that can actually act. I see him as a true artist trying to make a living from the blockbuster industry that is converting everything into franchises

[@RoyaMoyaSoya]

The Painted Veil is an amazing movie. Amazing.

[@AG-iu9lv]

So good! I want to watch it again now 😂

[@DelilaSloan]

One of my top 10 moves that I can watch over and over.

[@TheWorld_2099]

Thank you, will check it out..!

[@jerihurd]

Motherless Brooklyn is vastly underrated.

[@Part-Time-Pope]

I have 3 movies that made me feel like a crazy person because I loved them and literally every other person I knew hated them. The Cable Guy, Being John Malkovich and Death to Smoochy.

[@chasesmay7237]

All 3 are amazing

[@tylerdurden2518]

More than a generational talent.

[@sometimesitbelikedat2529]

"African History Y" made me chuckle. Can't wait for Asian History R EX 2 tho.

[@amber7ison]

Primal Fear was so good & I never hear anybody talk about it.

[@olganova3058]

you are very much right 🎉

[@nahhhbruhhh]

I was looking for this comment, and if i didn’t find it i was going to post it. So damn good ❤

[@eschelar]

The 25th Hour was awesome. Brilliant film. He has a hell of a nose for awesome films. They could do a lot worse than to let him take control on a film.

[@solokom]

Very underrated, and mostly forgotten today.

[@Man_Ray78]

Motherless Brooklyn surprised me a lot and remains my favorite of his in recent memory, but Wes Anderson world is always a unicorn in itself. Motherless Brooklyn was also the second movie Norton directed, and wrote. It's a New York China Town. I loved it.

[@AG-iu9lv]

I saw Fight Club in the theatre, never realized it wasn't a bigger player at the box office Thank you for a truly excellent video!

[@jameshart3879]

3:30 those "music clips and commercials" were the best in the business at the time, what a throw away comment about a visionary director

[@losrajvosa0078]

In primal fear he was so deamn good

[@TorQueMoD]

The punch was unexpected for Pitt in the sense that he didn't think he'd get hit in the ear, but Brad knew it was coming and had already agreed to it. Death to Smoochy is a totally underrated gem. lol

[@butterfliesandcamo5975]

"He wanted some minds to be screwed". Well he definitely achieved THAT 🤯 BEST MIND-PHUCK MOVIE EVER!!!

[@tristan_840]

My favorite Hollywood actor ❤

[@vivs9314]

I loved him in Kingdom of Heaven (physically weak King, yet calm, poised, and powerful demeanor), Fight Club, and in Red Dragon (good chemistry w/ Hopkins). But I loved him most in Primal Fear.

[@kpt.skalski6480]

Norton should remain the Hulk...😢

[@JoeLaRocca]

good comment 9 year old boy

[@HatredPrime]

Bale and Norton should have stay away from marvel cancer.

[@uphillracer]

Very funny and good video! Subscribed

[@pepitodelrancho]

i’m surprised how low your subscribers are, you definitely deserve much more amazing editing and your scripts music and voice are on point for the knowledge dump of these actors stories. Amazing movie recommendations from these top notch actors i’m definitely going to check sum of these out ✌🏽

[@gregoryallen0001]

also SLYLY FUNNY

[@noisepuppet]

The 25th Hour is a terrific movie. I keep meaning to watch it again, but you really have to brace yourself emotionally.

[@rcuintheshed6981]

Norton's version of the hulk was the best hands down

[@trouts4]

Edward Norton has always been one of those actors where I like their performance but I wouldnt want to ever spend time around him. Just a gut feeling.

[@ranereact]

Really good video - i enjoyed watching this

[@Artersa]

Love the understated humor, great video

[@Pajilito]

Great video

[@Drixidamus]

Fantastic vid

[@mariushugo8304]

I feel like everyone knew about fight club. Don't know what happened at the box office, but the film was definitely known and quite controversial. Box office is just one measure. There's also renting it afterwards. So, it's not the best metric to look at for that period. In my country, it's hard to remember exactly, but I believe the film didn't play for very long at most cinemas. Yet, Titanic played for like a year, no joke...it just kept selling tickets (a lot of teenage girls rewatched it for DiCaprio). So, looking at box-office only could be a bit deceiving. Oh, and pretty good video.

[@MrTotalNiceGuy]

First ever movie for me that I went to see twice. And still to this day, only movie that I ever went to see three times in the theater.

[@richarddiaz1241]

I loved the video. If I may, the legendary film critic and Pulitzer Prize winner’s name is pronounced “E”Bert. Hard E. Thank you. Liked and subbed.

[@kylearmstrong21]

Norton was and still is the best! Movies forever remembered

[@tbam73]

I love retrospectives like this to prove how limited casting agents are in their thinking

[@joshuatoms7664]

Rounders and The Illusionist are some of Norton's best work.

[@SubsonicFoil126]

i feel like ed nortons probably such a chill guy irl

[@JoeLaRocca]

he isnt. hes a complete dickhead

[@billolsen4360]

All that work Ed Norton did in the NYC Sewer System in the 1950's taught him a lot about life.

[@uppercutgrandma4425]

I accidently saw "The Illusionist" thinking it was "The Prestige". Lol

[@draugno7]

And there is just something about him that is so dam attractive to me

[@CrookedSkew]

Great documentary - very well written. Thank you.

[@Joolz1982]

This was a very thorough Norton evaluation.

[@theselector4733]

Norton is one of the best actors around. 25th Hour is a great film and his performances in both American History X and The Illusionist are outstanding.

[@johnkrstyen]

Death to Smoochy is an umderatted gem. I absolutely love it. Edit: see lots of comments agree with me.

[@Hollywood_Lore]

first half is great but as soon as they introduced the romantic line it didn’t feel like a dark comedy anymore, more like an Adam Sandler film

[@oinkaka]

The quality of these videos are absolutely phenomenal, and if you stick with it, I could totally see this channel exploding in popularity one day

[@pocket83squared]

"Back then, the outcome wasn't so clear." (at 1:23) Ha! Oh yes, it was! Dicaprio was already a star by 1997, but it wasn't just that; _Titanic_ was expected to be great from the start. There were no doubts. And it ended up being (probably) the biggest movie event I have ever seen. People were talking about it everywhere. It was peak big-screen entertainment. As soon as you walked into the theater lobby, you'd be greeted by a towering cardboard standee that made it look like you were about to be hit by the boat. Note that we had just seen _Jurassic Park_ a few years back, so expectations were already high--but _Titanic_ was designed to be, and turned out to be, a masterpiece of entertainment.

[@I-DEPRESSIONIST]

Masterpiece relating to titanic is an overstatement

[@medhatbasuni73]

Underrated is the word

[@mariamason1919]

25th Hour is one of my all time favorite movies. Never tire of watching it. Norton is incredible.

[@just_me6128]

Edward Norton. My favorite actor of all times and my crush since I was a child... What can I say?

[@jetsilveravenger]

It's really a testament to Norton's skills as an actor that he gave so many great performances in movies he at least initially didn't even want to be in.

[@michaelsilver253]

Death to Smoochy gets way less love than it deserves. Tbh I think it just came out a decade early

[@fergin4979]

thats some editing genius @4:51

[@charliekill88]

i usually despise ai voiced videos but your research and knowledge is great

[@Stukupgorgeous1]

Ed Norton is one of the best💚

[@healer81]

He's easily one of the most talented actors in the last 30 years

[@BlankxxPage]

Death to Smoochy is brilliant!

[@karakreativevlog]

You forgot his role in "Alita: Battle Angel". It was a small one, but still.

[@edwardmoon3897]

Ok you might want to mention Spike Lee directed 25th Hour !?! That may have helped its box office $ and acclaim???

[@Hollywood_Lore]

maybe I still can’t forgive him for what he‘s done to the Oldboy

[@Rehd66]

Leaves Of Grass is one of the best movies I've ever seen. Do yourself a favor and watch it. The director stars in it also. SO GOOD

[@mistercohaagen]

Motherless Brooklyn was definitely worth the watch.

[@emeseimre5252]

By far, he is the most talented and most brilliant actor of his generation.I haven't seen a film with him that let me down. American History X is a heavy loaded story, but a masterpiece with Norton at top.And I still don't understand why he hasn't got the Oscar for it.

[@unfire]

And yet Death To Smoochie was such a fantastic movie!

[@stthbldt3594]

Don't get it twisted. All of us that saw Fight Club in the theaters were changed for that entire dangerous season. Most impactful film of it's time

[@yuntakukai1002]

it was shit

[@Brian_Boru]

Rounders Rounders Rounders

[@JoeLaRocca]

Do only dumb people like Rounders? Yes

[@jeffcarlin5866]

American History X is a masterpiece. Let's all hope that the Criterion Collection picks up the rights and gives us a remastered Blu-ray or a 4K U.H.D.

[@thomaskositzki9424]

I love Norton because "Fight Club" is my number one movie! Damn, I was just floored when I understood that it wasn't a dumb action movie but one of the smartest critizism of Western culture to ever come out of Hollywood.

[@vg4life]

I always wondered how Norton lost his muscles from American History X. Thanks for providing the answer

[@Crossword131]

I'm subbing. I just bailed out of a video about Jim Carrey with the thumbnail *_"It Was All a Lie"_* in typical clickbait fashion. It has 2.3M views, has been up for less time and is nowhere near as well done as this is. You see, I like CONTENT in my content. Bravo.

[@Corndadthepop]

4.1k. I'll be expecting that video by spring.

[@tolucafan101]

You know your good when two good actors have to join forces lol

[@jjmack6563]

Love the film Primal Fear and he was amazing in it. He should have got the Oscar.

[@gtox11]

I've been a fan of Norton's since the 90s, but I definitely didn't know the majority of this video. Seems like Norton has been contending with people being jealous of his passion and vision throughout most of his career. That is a real shame, especially since they seemed to always deny his credit when his changes led to a better film.

[@ohsfer11820]

I love him.. Great artists are complicated

[@ledzep9501]

Possibly the best actor of his generation...

[@MegaDiva1999]

Agreed. He's mesmerizing

[@dreamofmirrors]

Absolutely!

[@agentsmidt3209]

So you are telling me my man didn't become a huge movie star because he got stuck in film school?

[@The-Portland-Daily-Blink]

Death to Smoochy is one of the funniest films I have EVER seen.

[@mariushugo8304]

I feel like his career went downhill starting with The Italian Job. He started playing this charicature of himself, whereas before he really inhabited his roles. Now it's just oh that's Edward Norton being Edward Norton for the most part. It's just not exciting to watch him in most of those roles and it feels like he could be replaced. Now, American History X, I can't imagine that movie without him. So, he's become replaceable and predictable. He also made some poor movie choices, which really didn't help, but who knows what he was seriously offered. That being said, he's a good actor and good things pop out, but a lot of it seems like minimal creative effort from his side.

[@steverye8872]

Same thing happened with Pacino. Godfather 1 and 2 were Pacino as Micheal Corleone. Godfather 3 was Pacino as Pacino. I think all the "fake" cocaine he did for Scarface ruined him.

[@danielwesterlund1905]

@@steverye8872 Pacino was always overrated, he's the least memorable actor from The Godfather 1 and 2. He was never good at expressing emotion, all he does is "intensity." He just went from intense staring and whispering to intense yelling and gesturing.

[@steverye8872]

@@danielwesterlund1905 I've thought about this and decided I think you're right. Pacino didn't make those movies great, the story did. The best part of GF2 was Vitos story, and Pacino was entirely absent from it.

[@vivs9314]

⁠@@danielwesterlund1905 I agree. Even though I like his as an actor I still recognize that he has very limited expressions that only fit with certain roles. But I think I’m ok with that, nothing wrong with type casting. I think the “intensity” you mentioned with Pacino fits well with roles like Devil’s Advocate (pure evil and controlling characters). He scared me in that role 😂.

[@Grandmaster-Kush]

@@steverye8872 Pacinos great for smaller roles but he doesn't have the range to be a compelling main imo but eh, that's neither here nor there now I guess.

[@brandycarter9829]

Fight Club is, of course, one of the best movies ever made.... same with American History X. And I did not think I would like Death to Smoochy when I was talked into watching it by a friend, but I came away from it a definite convert- it was awesome! Edward Norton is probably my fav actor of all time- He's so insanely talented

[@SubsonicFoil126]

istg ed is a shapeshifter he looks insanely different in every movie he does

[@Drixidamus]

That "brother eeewww" was fan-fricking-tastic

[@findJLF]

The Illusionist is an excellent movie

[@adsinozable]

I love Edward Norton, and I miss the days these movies were made in

[@dspmusik81]

I didn’t realize he had so many bad movies. Edward is one of my favorite actors, but it sounds like I wouldn’t want to meet or work with him.