MovieChat Forums > Da 5 Bloods (2020) Discussion > Boseman as Squad Leader 'Stormin Norman'...

Boseman as Squad Leader 'Stormin Norman' is played as mythic..

posted 5 years ago by NorrinRad (5470)
5 replies | jump to latest

Which is so important in this film as 'Stormin Norman is the force that kept the Bloods and these guys alive in their tour of duty in Vietnam. Chadwick doesn't have much screen time but his presence throughout the film weighs heavily on all of the characters. Most of all with Paul (Delroy Lindo). On my initial viewing of the film I viewed Stormin Norman's arc rather perfunctorily delivered because you know his death is coming. As the film plays out Norm is shown as more than competent but he didn't seem to be any more extra ordinary than any other leader. The exception being his mentorship of the Bloods who were following him into battles.

On my second viewing of the film I was struck with the power of both Lindo's performance, Boseman's brillance as an actor and Norman's circumstance. Norman is a God-Like figure to all of his squad. It was on that second viewing that I became emotional at scenes earlier in the movie that were powerful but now were haunting.

This film does indeed have an emotional resonance that can be enjoyed on multiple viewings. For many who see this film it may very well be a jarring learning experience that can't be denied by Spike using historical archived footage and photos that can't be relegated to just 'artistic license' if it were just acted and spoken. Spike's use of photos, quotes and old footage is indeed a short-cut and the film is definitely NOT a documentary but it is supremely eloquent in laying out this story.

Boseman again wont get any accolades in his role for this film but he is damn good in this.

[–] brux (14840) 5 years ago

Nice

[–] NorrinRad (5470) 5 years ago

Boseman plays these type of characters all too well. Very subtle actor.

[–] brux (14840) 5 years ago

I am not sure I've ever seen this guy before. Stormin' Norman though a cornerstone to the movie was not that much of a character on-screen until that one scene.

[–] NorrinRad (5470) 5 years ago

[–] brux (5598) 2 hours ago
I am not sure I've ever seen this guy before.

Your responses give me the impression that you are neither from the USA nor are you overly familiar with Hollywood cinema.

Thurgood Marshall...Marshall
James Brown..........Get On Up
Jackie Robinson..........42
T'Challa....................Black Panther

I'm not suggesting that just those four roles are all similar (James Brown had to be played as over-the-top as you could get) But the other roles had to be played with simmering gravitas.

Stormin' Norman though a cornerstone to the movie was not that much of a character on-screen until that one scene.

Which is the very point. Norm has to be there in every scene without being seen on screen. His limited face-time or even voice-over has to resonate and control the actions and reactions of the rest of the Bloods. Again Boseman's performance will not be noticed but he was great as this mythic figure to his squad.

[–] NorrinRad (5470) 4 years ago

I wrote this four months ago and now with the unfortunate passing of Chadwick his performance is stunning. I think it is a tad disconcerting for reviewers to suddenly see the power in Stormin' Norman's performance posthumously. Chadwick acted with presence and resonance in this film. It was haunting then and even more now knowing that his days were indeed numbered. Chadwick acted as if he was going to get through his illness.