Edward Norton: VESTiges of Greatness

                  American History X (1998)                               Fight Club (1999)                                                The Score (2001)                                                                

This first blog needs to set up the general level of intellect to expect from further posts. So what better place to start than with a discussion on Edward Norton's love of the white vest?

My obsession with this topic started during a schoolgirl crush I had on Norton after first watching Fight Club. Sure, not the most obvious choice of men in that film, but who needs Brad Pitt? I'll take the sweaty emaciated one. (Other such weird crushes have included Richard E. Grant in Withnail and I, Mr Tumnus in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, and of course, Trent in My Parents Are Aliens.)

From the research I've carried out (which, believe me, is a great deal), it looks like it all starts with American History X. And fair enough, what better garb for a neo-Nazi than a lovely little white number (bonus points for colour-coordinating with the race you support) that can show off your delightful swastika tattoos?

                      25th Hour (2002)                                   The Painted Veil (2006)                                      The Incredible Hulk (2008)                                                      

But since then, Norton is repeatedly to be found on screen donning a white vest, no matter what character he's playing. Why does he do it, I ask myself? Maybe he likes the colour; maybe he's really confident about the way his shoulders look; maybe he appreciates the fact that you can sometimes make out his nipples through the fabric. All valid reasons.

My favourite theory (read: fantasy) is that Norton is a professor at the prestigious White Vest School of Acting, constantly vying with Dr Bruce Willis for tenure. Notable alumni include Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire, Nicolas Cage in Con Air and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson in Every Film He's Ever Made.

    Stone (2010)*                                                                                          Birdman (2014)            

I'm not sure if his White Vest Syndrome is something Edward is aware of, but hopefully he keeps taking the medication and the garment doesn't manage to take over his entire being. Personally, I can't wait to see which film it pops up in next.

(I was going to finish this with a 'the first rule of vest club is...' joke, but I like to think I'm better than that.)


*This is the best one cause he's actually wearing a white t-shirt, but he can't cope so he's had to turn the sleeves up in order to act.