Rating: 
Summary: A quiet powerhouse - Wonderful film
Review: I caught this on cable and found myself unable to turn it off. Its the story of a husband and father living in a quiet, rural community who can no longer take living a lie. Roy is a woman living inside a man's body. He realizes he can no longer keep this to himself, confiding in his wife and turning their marriage and the community upside down. When he begins to wear earrings to the factory and singing in the women's choir, the family begins to be quietly isolated. I feel the reason he might have been left alone could have been because of respect for his wife and children. I don't know if that would be the same in real life. I seriously doubt it but even that little bit of what I believe is naive optimism doesn't detract from this film.What is most touching is how the daughter handles it. She instantly embraces her father. Their grown son is less able to deal with it but the scene between father and son is touching. Its Jessica Lange that steals the show as Irma. Her reactions from anger to mourning are always dead on. Wilkinson is also wonderful as the tortured Roy who can see what he's doing to his family but can't stop himself in his search for personal freedom. The scenery in this film is amazing and the music fits each scene. I was really impressed by everything about this film and would recommend it to anyone. 5 stars and then some. Normal will stay with you long after the film has ended.
Rating:
Summary: captivating
Review: I just so happened to flip past this movie and once I started watching I couldn't stop. This movie showed so many issues that people involved in this situation have to deal with. I liked the fact that the ending wasn't a true happy ending, because it wouldn't have been true to real life.
Rating:
Summary: wow
Review: I've never written a review before, but I was so impressed with this movie, I felt like I should write something. Even though I personally don't deal with the specific issues in this film, I was deeply touched by Jane Anderson's script and the performances by Jessica Lange and Tom Wilkinson are nothing short of incredible - definitely some of the best work either has ever done. I do have to agree that Jessica Lange steals the show. Her reactions to what is happening to her are exactly what I imagine someone in her shoes might go through. I liked the way church issues were dealt with as well, although it wasn't surprising that Roy was treated as an outcast by the members of the congregration. Sad, but often the case. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who needs inspiration. Very powerful film.
Rating:
Summary: Emotional Rollercoaster
Review: In this movie Roy and Irma have been married for 25 years when he confesses his desire to have a sex change. Roy has thought long and hard about this has made his decision. His wife, family and community are in shock. This movie will take you along on the rollercoaster from the point Roy confesses his desires through the process that he (and those he love) go through as he make the change from "Roy" to "Ruth". I think the movie is great. The acting is superb. The supporting roles are just as well acted as the stars. I would disagree with other reviews that feel this movie is an honest account of a middle age family man in a small midwestern town going through a sex change transition. I think in reality he would have been "shunned" to a greater extent than in this story. This doesn't detract from the movie at all as the movie's intense focus is on the relationship between Roy and Irma. The movie is wonderful. If you liked this movie you may like the book "Trans-sister Radio" by Chris Bohjalian.
Rating: 
Summary: Normal
Review: It's too bad HBO movies aren't eligible for Oscar considerations because their "made-for-TV" flicks are far far better than most Hollywood garbage out there. While it wasn't a powerhouse like last year's "Wit", "Normal" was still a solid movie that deals with a tough issue (sex change and acceptance) with a great sense of humor, without ever being trite or turning it into a farce as most Hollywood movies would have done. Tom Wilkinson and Jessica Lange are fantastic as always, but it's Hayden Panettiere who steals the show as their daughter.
Rating:
Summary: Normal
Review: It's too bad HBO movies aren't eligible for Oscar considerations because their "made-for-TV" flicks are far far better than most Hollywood garbage out there. While it wasn't a powerhouse like last year's "Wit", "Normal" was still a solid movie that deals with a tough issue (sex change and acceptance) with a great sense of humor, without ever being trite or turning it into a farce as most Hollywood movies would have done. Tom Wilkinson and Jessica Lange are fantastic as always, but it's Hayden Panettiere who steals the show as their daughter.
Rating:
Summary: Not Quite Normal
Review: Normal is the laugh-out-loud feelgood transgender comedy of the year. Jessica Lange easily tops her performance in Tootsie as the sympathetic lover of a man hoplessly conflicted with his "inner woman". Tom Wilkinson delivers nonstop laughs with his performance as Roy/Ruth. The reveal of Roy's first appearance in drag resembles Margaret Thatcher as an aging hooker. Best line: "I had no idea they were so sensitive," when Roy refers to his new set of man breasts. I don't think I have ever seen a film miss the mark by so much but still remain so entertaining. Kudos Jane Anderson!!!
Rating:
Summary: Unusual and worthwhile
Review: Originally made for HBO, this unusual drama follows an Iowa couple whose lives are thrown into turmoil by the husband's revelation that he wants to change his gender. In the central roles of Roy, the husband, and Irma, his at first disbelieving, then supportive wife, Tom Wilkinson and Jessica Lange give superb performances. There is strong work by Hayden Panettiere as their sharp-tongued daughter as well. In a society where people are regularly murdered for trying to break out of their physically assigned gender roles, the relative gentleness with which Roy is treated by the obviously conservative small town where he lives seems a little optimistic. Nevertheless, the performances and an understated, observant script that avoids cliche raise this one above the level of a mere curiosity.
Rating:
Summary: Inaccurate but truthful
Review: Roy (Tom Wilkinson) and Irma (Jessica Lange) are a normal farm family with an estranged son and a teenage daughter. After their 25th wedding anniversary, Roy confesses that he is a woman trapped in a mans body. At this point, I expected things to get absurd, including the predictability that we will see Roy in drag. However, Director/Writer Jane Anderson allows all ssues to come the forefront; family, friends, religion, coworkers and community. What seems a destiny for ruination is full of surprises and Anderson can humble the viewer by showing how anyone can be easily misunderstood. The performances by Wilkinson and especially Lange are nothing short of amazing. The emotions run high, vivid and clear as each person struggles with this abrupt revelation that affects everyone's life. This is a precise study of empathy, understanding, the testing of relationships and most importantly - love.
Rating:
Summary: Riveting Drama
Review: Roy (Tom Wilkinson) and Irma (Jessica Lange) are a normal farm family with an estranged son and a teenage daughter. After their 25th wedding anniversary, Roy confesses that he is a woman trapped in a mans body. At this point, I expected things to get absurd, including the predictability that we will see Roy in drag. However, Director/Writer Jane Anderson allows all ssues to come the forefront; family, friends, religion, coworkers and community. What seems a destiny for ruination is full of surprises and Anderson can humble the viewer by showing how anyone can be easily misunderstood. The performances by Wilkinson and especially Lange are nothing short of amazing. The emotions run high, vivid and clear as each person struggles with this abrupt revelation that affects everyone's life. This is a precise study of empathy, understanding, the testing of relationships and most importantly - love.
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