Leaves of Grass
Year: 2010
Runtime: 105 min
Language: English
Budget: $9M
Following a family tragedy, a philosophical professor, Bill, becomes involved in his brother Brady's unusual plan. This leads to a bizarre and surreal journey where the lines between reality and chaos become increasingly blurred. He encounters a cast of eccentric individuals and faces difficult moral choices, forcing him to examine the complexities of human nature and the true meaning of loyalty amidst the unfolding events.
Leaves of Grass (2010) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview
Get a spoiler-free look at Leaves of Grass (2010) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.
In the quiet halls of an Ivy‑League campus, Bill Kincaid moves through his lectures on Plato with the calm certainty of a scholar who has long trusted the permanence of ideas. His world of measured discourse is suddenly shaken by a phone call that brings home a family tragedy and an invitation to step far beyond the orderly confines of academia. Across the country, his identical twin brother Brady is immersed in a far‑crazier venture, one that promises both freedom and danger, and which beckons Bill into a realm where plans are as volatile as the desert heat of Oklahoma.
The film follows Bill as he trades his chalk‑dust for the dust‑blown roads of a small Midwestern town, where the ordinary collides with the absurd. He encounters a colorful cast of characters—an eclectic poet, a nervous orthodontist, and a host of other eccentrics—each adding a new layer to the surreal tapestry that surrounds him. The tone balances dry intellectual humor with a creeping sense of unease, suggesting that the line between thoughtful reflection and chaotic impulse is thinner than Bill ever imagined.
As Bill is drawn deeper into his brother’s unconventional scheme, he is forced to confront questions that his lectures have never required him to answer. Loyalty to family, the nature of responsibility, and the weight of moral choice all surface amid an atmosphere that feels part road‑movie, part metaphysical puzzle. The story thrives on a mood of shifting reality, where everyday moments ripple into the extraordinary, leaving Bill—and the audience—wondering how much of one’s identity is defined by circumstance and how much by conviction.
Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 08:34
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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Philosophical Crime Thrillers like Leaves of Grass
Intellectuals drawn into a violent underworld, forcing a clash of ideals.Discover movies like Leaves of Grass where cerebral protagonists are thrust into the gritty underworld. These similar dramas and thrillers explore the tension between high-minded ideals and the messy, violent consequences of criminal choices, perfect for fans of dark, thought-provoking stories.
Narrative Summary
The narrative follows an outsider, typically an academic or intellectual, who becomes entangled in a crime plot, often through family ties or a sense of obligation. Their journey is one of disillusionment, as their philosophical certainties are tested by the amorality and violence they encounter, leading to difficult choices and a changed worldview.
Why These Movies?
These movies are grouped by their shared focus on the intellectual and moral descent of a protagonist into a world of chaos. They blend high-stakes crime with deep philosophical debate, creating a unique tension between thought and action, order and anarchy.
Surreal Small-Town Crime Movies like Leaves of Grass
Ordane places hiding bizarre secrets and escalating, chaotic violence.If you liked the anxious, surreal vibe of Leaves of Grass, explore these movies about crime gone wrong in quirky small towns. These similar thrillers and dramas feature eccentric characters, chaotic plots, and a brooding sense of dread, capturing the unique feel of rural underworld stories.
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The Big Empty
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Crime and Punishment in Suburbia
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Leaves of Grass
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Narrative Summary
Narratives often begin with a deceptive normalcy that is quickly shattered by the introduction of a chaotic criminal element. The plot escalation feels surreal and inevitable, driven by eccentric characters and poor decisions, culminating in a violent showdown that leaves the community and protagonists permanently scarred.
Why These Movies?
These films share a specific mood: a blend of rural setting, dark comedy, surreal tension, and the anxiety of a crime spiral involving quirky, dangerous locals. The experience is defined by this unique combination of place, tone, and chaotic narrative progression.
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Leaves of Grass Summary
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Leaves of Grass Timeline
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