An invisible, inconsequential New York Jew with delusions of grandeur.
Hell do this as he places his hand on your arm in an overly familiar way.
Theres a desperation to him.
And, as impeccably played by Richard Gere, an air of deep, tragic sadness.
Hes a former leading man whos aged into a first-rate character actor.
Hes like Rupert Pupkin with a subscription toThe Jerusalem Post.
But something miraculous happens when he meets Eshel outside of an expensive clothing store.
Its a small price to pay to have a future star like Eshel in his debt.
It will turn out that Norman bet on the right horse.
Three years later, Eshel has leapfrogged from low-level Knesset member to the Prime Ministers office.
And when Eshel returns to New York, he embraces Norman like a dear old friend.
Hes not just pretending to be plugged-in anymore, Norman actually is.
And everyone is kissing his hem to get Eshels ear.
But Cedar doesnt seem to trust the depth and width of his story.
