Film Review

‘Normal’: Much Mayhem in a ‘Fargo’-Like Town but It’s All Amusing

Like Liam Neeson, it won’t be a loss if Bob Odenkirk exclusively does roles just like this for the rest of his career. He’s clearly enjoying himself.
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‘Normal’: Much Mayhem in a ‘Fargo’-Like Town but It’s All Amusing
Interim Sheriff Ulysses (Bob Odenkirk) in "Normal." Magnolia Pictures
Mark Jackson
Mark Jackson
Film Critic
|Updated:
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R | 1h 30m | Crime, Comedy | 2026

In “Normal,” Ulysses Richardson (Bob Odenkirk) is the interim sheriff of the remote Minnesota town of Normal: Population, 1,890. Normal’s recently (and inexplicably) deceased Sheriff Gunderson is clearly a tribute to Police Chief Marge Gunderson of 1996’s “Fargo.” It is, after all, another law enforcement story in much the same snowy location.

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Mark Jackson
Mark Jackson
Film Critic
Mark Jackson is the senior film critic for The Epoch Times and a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. Mark earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Williams College, followed by classical theater conservatory training, and has 20 years' experience as a New York professional actor. He narrated The Epoch Times audiobook "How the Specter of Communism Is Ruling Our World," available on iTunes, Audible, and YouTube. Mark is featured in the book "How to Be a Film Critic in Five Easy Lessons" by Christopher K. Brooks. In addition to films, he enjoys Harley-Davidsons, rock-climbing, qigong, martial arts, and human rights activism.
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