# Does anyone else think that Edward Norton should stop making movies? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 10, 2002, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-that-edward-norton-should-stop-making-movies/131725 "2002-10-10T20:23:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![johnnyboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbe5ce/32.png) [@johnnyboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnnyboy)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2002, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-that-edward-norton-should-stop-making-movies/131725/1 "2002-10-10T20:23:16Z")
I hope he never does unother movie ever again. In Red Dragon he pratically ruined every scene he was in, and i can’t even imagine how i ever liked him as an actor. If he disappeared from the face of the earth tomorrow, belive me people we would all be better of. The man is a disgrace to the world of films. I hate him, terrible TERRIBLE actor. Last decent film he made was Fight Club and That was three years ago, and he hasn’t done anything that’s remotely good ever since. We might have found unother NICOLAS CAGE. The sooner he faids away the better. How many one trick ponys do we really need? ---
**Author:** ![Simetra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Simetra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simetra)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2002, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-that-edward-norton-should-stop-making-movies/131725/2 "2002-10-10T20:33:10Z")
Hmm… I thought he was pretty good in “Death To Smoochy”. But I love dark comedies. I like Ed Norton… haven’t seen Red Dragon yet tho’. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2002, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-that-edward-norton-should-stop-making-movies/131725/3 "2002-10-10T20:42:22Z")
He was very good in “Primal Fear” and “The People Vs. Larry Flynt.” He was brilliant in “American History X.” I didn’t care for him in “Fight Club,” but that’s because the whole concept was stupid, not because his performance was lacking. I think he was miscast in “Red Dragon,” but that’s the least of the film’s problems. The real problem with “Red Dragon” is that the ridiculousness of Hannibal Lecter is becoming apparent. Not Anthony Hopkins himself (though his performance IS rather hammy), but the character of Hannibal Lecter. The character hasn’t aged well at all (no, that’s NOT a sly dig at the now elderly and feeble Mr. Hopkins!). Hannibal Lecter is now more like Freddy Krueger or Jason… NO, he’s more like Blofeld than like a semi-plausible human character. Even if Norton had given a brilliant performance as Will Graham, there’s no getting around how silly the whole story is. Chris Rock likes to joke about “Happy Days,” to mock the way Potsy and Ralph Malph cowered in front of Henry Winkler (a short, skinny Jewish boy from Yale Drama School). Rock likes to laugh, “Guys… You’re afraid of HIM???” Look at elderly, pot-bellied Anthony Hopkins, and answer me honestly… “Are you afraid of HIM???” ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2002, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-that-edward-norton-should-stop-making-movies/131725/4 "2002-10-10T20:54:32Z")
He was pretty good in _American HistoryX_. Although I do understand why the director wanted to Alan Smithee it. Norton ought to stick with acting, and leave editing to someone else. ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2002, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-that-edward-norton-should-stop-making-movies/131725/5 "2002-10-10T21:24:21Z")
I have _such_ a crush on Norton. He’s got this innocent thing going for him that just makes me want to bring him to the dark side. That being said, I almost felt the way you did when I was watching the end of _Red Dragon_. When he was sitting on the pier talking to his wife, the audience heard his voice before they showed the scene. When I saw the scene, I was somewhat surprised he was talking to his wife. It sounded like he was narrating a story to a stranger rather than having an intimate conversation with his spouse. But then I remembered how much I want to do him, and I shamelessly forgave him. He was brilliant in _Primal Fear_ but many of his characters seem to be Aaron Stampler ripoffs. [sub]Did I mention how yummy I think he is?[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![johnnyboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbe5ce/32.png) [@johnnyboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnnyboy)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2002, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-that-edward-norton-should-stop-making-movies/131725/6 "2002-10-10T22:01:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Libertarian \* > \*\*He was pretty good in _American HistoryX_. Although I do understand why the director wanted to Alan Smithee it. Norton ought to stick with acting, and leave editing to someone else. \*\* I think you are giving Norton way too much credit. Thank god he didn’t win an oscar for his perfomance, some other actor would of done a much better and more convincing job. ---
**Author:** ![LolaCocaCola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7cd45c/32.png) [@LolaCocaCola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaCocaCola)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2002, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-that-edward-norton-should-stop-making-movies/131725/7 "2002-10-10T22:34:49Z")
Yes, **Johnnyboy** , I do. I thought his performance was rather thin in Red Dragon - Anthony Hopkins and Ralph Feinnes (sp?) stole the show. Plus _what_ the hell was up with his “hair-do” ??? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![shy\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@shy\_guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shy_guy)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2002, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-that-edward-norton-should-stop-making-movies/131725/8 "2002-10-10T22:54:48Z")
> [@](#): > > I have _such_ a crush on Norton. He’s got this innocent thing going for him that just makes me want to bring him to the dark side. You and me both. Huuuuuuge Norton crush, so, no, I hope he doesn’t stop making movies any time soon. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2002, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-that-edward-norton-should-stop-making-movies/131725/9 "2002-10-11T00:28:01Z")
I can’t believe anyone feels this way about one of the most talented actors to come along in years. Norton rocks. His material doesn’t always, but he’s flawless. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2002, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-that-edward-norton-should-stop-making-movies/131725/10 "2002-10-11T01:14:59Z")
Well **JuanitaTech** , Salma Hayek thinks he’s yummy too. And since I think she’s one of the most beautiful women on the planet, I gotta give him some credit there… I thought he was great in _Primal Fear_ and great in _Rounders_. Why hate him when you’ve got a bunch of talentless Freddie Prinze Jr. types out there? ---
**Author:** ![Menocchio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Menocchio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Menocchio)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2002, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-that-edward-norton-should-stop-making-movies/131725/11 "2002-10-11T01:22:51Z")
I’m with Stoid. Norton may be the finest American actor working in mainstream film today. Primal Fear: Weak movie saved only by his performance. American History X: Great, gut-wrenching, Work. Fight Club: Good Stuff Death to Smoochy: Funny performance as an utter innocent. The Score: Comes off well against Deniro and Brando! I have yet to see Red Dragon, but, having read the book, can’t think of a better person to cast. ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2002, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-that-edward-norton-should-stop-making-movies/131725/12 "2002-10-11T01:38:35Z")
Yeah, quit picking on Norton, granted he works best with Ralph Kramden. But you figure youse work in a sewer all day, you can lose yer edge sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![BraheSilver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@BraheSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BraheSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2002, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-that-edward-norton-should-stop-making-movies/131725/13 "2002-10-11T01:59:02Z")
Aw, c’mon. He at least needs to be cast in the next [Spidey](http://bbird.brainfodder.net/spidey.html) movie. I loved “Death to Smoochy,” but to be honest they could have put a lot of people in that role, the story and dialogue was so strong on its own. ---
**Author:** ![red\_dragon60](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ce73a5/32.png) [@red\_dragon60](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/red_dragon60)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2002, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-that-edward-norton-should-stop-making-movies/131725/14 "2002-10-11T02:29:12Z")
He and Jude Law are tied for the creepiest man in Hollywood. Norton has a serial killer voice. It’s the kind of quiet rage that gives me the willies. He delivers his lines almost deadpan, only slightly hinting at what is beneath the surface. Ever seen American History X? ---
**Author:** ![LolaCocaCola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7cd45c/32.png) [@LolaCocaCola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaCocaCola)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2002, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-that-edward-norton-should-stop-making-movies/131725/15 "2002-10-11T02:38:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dooku \* > **Salma Hayek thinks he’s yummy too. And since I think she’s one of the most beautiful women on the planet, I gotta give him some credit there…** Ew. I think she is a Hagasaurus Rex. :o ---
**Author:** ![downbylaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9c0ed/32.png) [@downbylaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/downbylaw)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2002, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-that-edward-norton-should-stop-making-movies/131725/16 "2002-10-11T03:50:19Z")
edward norton is an excellent actor. i have not seen red dragon, but i’ve seen all of his other films. if he does a crappy job in it, so be it. all of his other performances are damn memorable. you can’t win 'em all, right? ---
**Author:** ![johnnyboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbe5ce/32.png) [@johnnyboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnnyboy)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2002, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-that-edward-norton-should-stop-making-movies/131725/17 "2002-10-11T07:19:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by red\_dragon60 \* > \*\*He and Jude Law are tied for the creepiest man in Hollywood. Norton has a serial killer voice. It’s the kind of quiet rage that gives me the willies. He delivers his lines almost deadpan, only slightly hinting at what is beneath the surface. > > Ever seen American History X? \*\* Yes i have seen it, and i wasn’t impressed. I think he gave his best perfomance in People vs. Larry Flynt though. ---
**Author:** ![I\_am\_Sparticus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@I\_am\_Sparticus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_am_Sparticus)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2002, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-that-edward-norton-should-stop-making-movies/131725/18 "2002-10-11T07:44:08Z")
I think he is a one of the best movie actors there is. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2002, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-that-edward-norton-should-stop-making-movies/131725/19 "2002-10-11T10:14:44Z")
I saw Red Dragon. I liked it much more than I expected to. It was very good. Not as good as the original. (_Manhunter_) Norton turned in a very good performance, though he WAS miscast. ---
**Author:** ![Epistaxis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ebca7d/32.png) [@Epistaxis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epistaxis)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2002, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-that-edward-norton-should-stop-making-movies/131725/20 "2002-10-11T10:34:50Z")
lol this same troll posted this in RottenTomatoes’ forum. He really has it in for Norton. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-else-think-that-edward-norton-should-stop-making-movies/131725.md?page=2)