Normal

Rating:
Summary: Memorable performances from Wilkinson and Lange
Review: "Normal" is a film where the performances by Tom Wilkinson and Jessica Lange are so much better than the script. This is not to say that the script by writer-director Jane Anderson is inadequate, but rather than Wilkinson and Lange give it a power and grace that transcends what was on the printed page. Wilkinson, a veteran character actor who suddenly seems to be in half the films coming out (Jim Broadhurst is usually in the other half), plays Roy Applewood, who has been married for 25 years to Lange's Irma and who finally reveals his deepest and darkest secret: he feels like a woman trapped in a man's body.

To say that this comes as a shock to everyone is an understatement. Roy is the foreman at a plant that manufactures tractors and a pillar of his church. He is also married to Irma, who, like the actress who plays her, has gotten sexier as she has gotten older. When the church throws an anniversary party for the couple Roy kisses his wife and faints. In a counseling session with their pastor (Randall Arney), Roy finally confesses that he is a woman. The fact that Roy says this in such a matter of fact manner, without the slightest trace of any affectation that would suggest being gay, is what makes "Normal" such an offbeat look at a somewhat offbeat subject.

This is not a sensationalistic treatment of the transgender topic (remember the lurid film "The Christina Jorgenson Story"?). The script is clearly sympathetic, but also manages to tell the story with a wry sensibility and to reach a level of depth that we usually do not find in such films, which tend to veer towards sensationalism and/or melodrama. This is because despite the fact that Roy starts taking female hormones so that he can grow breasts he still loves his wife. Underneath all the shock and dismay at Roy's transformation there is a love story going on, crystalized when Irma's pastor gives her permission to give up on her marriage and she replies with emotional elegance, "How can I? He is my life."

Perhaps it is not realistic that "Normal" has Roy treating his gender reclassification as if it were akin to getting a new haircut: he wears earrings and perfume to the tractor plant and wants to be called Ruth. But Wilkinson brings a sense of dignity to the part that helps carry it off and no doubt Anderson is trying to make a point. The only part that rings false for me is the dramatic exploitation of the Applewood's two children. Two, not just because you get to have one son and one daughter, but two because one will accept their father's change with curiosity while the other goes off the deep end. Of course it is the son (Joe Sikora) in the latter role and when he reads the letter written by his father to a bunch of drunks in a bar, I thought was going way too far (unless he was adopted?). The same holds true for Irma's awkward try at a tryst with Roy's boss (Clancy Brown).

Anderson wrote the hysterically funny "The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom" and shows much more restraint overall with "Normal" in dealing with the satirical side of her subject matter this time around. When Irma kicks Roy out of the house, she pointedly tells him he is much too selfish to be anything but a man. Still, we come back to the performances by the two stars. Wilkinson plays this role perfectly straight as if he was changing political affiliation and not gender. In contrast Lange gets to run the gamut of emotions from disbelief and anger to acceptance and love. Wilkinson is so decent and real that you have to admire him and root for him, especially when the alternative is identifying with the less tolerant and understanding members of his family and community. But you also root for Lange to keep her husband.

But in the end "Normal" is a love story. If it were about a sex change operation then we would be getting all the nuts and bolts about how that is done. Anderson is not concerned with the mechanics; she cares about the people. In the end, Ruth and Irma care about each other and it is hard for us not to care about them as well.

Rating:
Summary: Memorable performances from Wilkinson and Lange
Review: "Normal" is a film where the performances by Tom Wilkinson and Jessica Lange are so much better than the script. This is not to say that the script by writer-director Jane Anderson is inadequate, but rather than Wilkinson and Lange give it a power and grace that transcends what was on the printed page. Wilkinson, a veteran character actor who suddenly seems to be in half the films coming out (Jim Broadhurst is usually in the other half), plays Roy Applewood, who has been married for 25 years to Lange's Irma and who finally reveals his deepest and darkest secret: he feels like a woman trapped in a man's body.

To say that this comes as a shock to everyone is an understatement. Roy is the foreman at a plant that manufactures tractors and a pillar of his church. He is also married to Irma, who, like the actress who plays her, has gotten sexier as she has gotten older. When the church throws an anniversary party for the couple Roy kisses his wife and faints. In a counseling session with their pastor (Randall Arney), Roy finally confesses that he is a woman. The fact that Roy says this in such a matter of fact manner, without the slightest trace of any affectation that would suggest being gay, is what makes "Normal" such an offbeat look at a somewhat offbeat subject.

This is not a sensationalistic treatment of the transgender topic (remember the lurid film "The Christina Jorgenson Story"?). The script is clearly sympathetic, but also manages to tell the story with a wry sensibility and to reach a level of depth that we usually do not find in such films, which tend to veer towards sensationalism and/or melodrama. This is because despite the fact that Roy starts taking female hormones so that he can grow breasts he still loves his wife. Underneath all the shock and dismay at Roy's transformation there is a love story going on, crystalized when Irma's pastor gives her permission to give up on her marriage and she replies with emotional elegance, "How can I? He is my life."

Perhaps it is not realistic that "Normal" has Roy treating his gender reclassification as if it were akin to getting a new haircut: he wears earrings and perfume to the tractor plant and wants to be called Ruth. But Wilkinson brings a sense of dignity to the part that helps carry it off and no doubt Anderson is trying to make a point. The only part that rings false for me is the dramatic exploitation of the Applewood's two children. Two, not just because you get to have one son and one daughter, but two because one will accept their father's change with curiosity while the other goes off the deep end. Of course it is the son (Joe Sikora) in the latter role and when he reads the letter written by his father to a bunch of drunks in a bar, I thought was going way too far (unless he was adopted?). The same holds true for Irma's awkward try at a tryst with Roy's boss (Clancy Brown).

Anderson wrote the hysterically funny "The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom" and shows much more restraint overall with "Normal" in dealing with the satirical side of her subject matter this time around. When Irma kicks Roy out of the house, she pointedly tells him he is much too selfish to be anything but a man. Still, we come back to the performances by the two stars. Wilkinson plays this role perfectly straight as if he was changing political affiliation and not gender. In contrast Lange gets to run the gamut of emotions from disbelief and anger to acceptance and love. Wilkinson is so decent and real that you have to admire him and root for him, especially when the alternative is identifying with the less tolerant and understanding members of his family and community. But you also root for Lange to keep her husband.

But in the end "Normal" is a love story. If it were about a sex change operation then we would be getting all the nuts and bolts about how that is done. Anderson is not concerned with the mechanics; she cares about the people. In the end, Ruth and Irma care about each other and it is hard for us not to care about them as well.

Rating:
Summary: A kind of sense and sensibility to keep.
Review: "Normal" is a movie about a man who feels he is a woman who is trapped in a man's body. After 25 years of marriage he decides to admit this to himself, his wife, family, co-workers, and everyone else. He then makes gradual outward changes: perfume, ear rings, longer hair, clothes, hormones, and finally a sex change to become a female. But this is not a movie for those curious about how weird these things may be, nor is just about tranvestites, although it is about that. Moreover>>> This is a love story. Not since "Boys Don't Cry" have I seen a more emotional compelling drama. Jessica Lange is exquisite as the confused and emotionally starved wife, who, with great elan, faces the situation and makes the best of it as only a midwesterner facing a crisis can do. Tom Wilkerson is magnificent as the husband. Director-writer, Jane Andersen, manages a sense of humor and appropriate old ballads to introduce scenes. Irony abounds, e.g. the church sign showing the title of the Sunday sermon, "God Loves a Challenge." Finally I think this was a difficult and controversial story which was told and acted with sensitivity, intelligence, truth, and taste. In a way it represents the sense and sensibility of our time. A memory keeper.

Rating:
Summary: Define Normal
Review: "Normal" is a powerful movie about a married couple who faces turbulances after the husband, Roy, reveals to his wife, Irma, that he wants to become a woman. As the problems arise, the emotional value becomes stronger. This is a great educational movie for those wanting to learn about transexuality. The realisms of such issues are heavily present from beginning to end. It proves that defining "normal" is not possible. The writing is brilliant. Their previous research of every expressed issue is present. This movie is not just about transexuality; it's also a love story. Such combination makes the movie much more interesting. Its intense scenes keep audiences' eyes wide open. The performers offer their own emotional sense that takes the movie to a higher level. Tom Wilkinson's Emmy and Golden Globe nominated role as Roy never loses the emotional value for a moment. His performance deserves great respect. Some may say this is role is above 2001's "In the Bedroom". Two-time Oscar winner Jessica Lange portrays Irma wonderfully. Her character's hardships are desplicted beautifully. All other actors also performed their roles wonderfully. "Normal" is an unforgettable movie that will keep audiences moved for a long time.

Rating:
Summary: Transpeople are "Normal": See this Movie!
Review: "Normal" is an excellent, pull-no-punches look at transsexualism. The writer/director taylors her story to show many sides of the issue: the wife's initial hostility and confusion, the church's nonacceptance, the tough workplace, and the struggle of Ruth's children. The director is careful to make Ruth into an every-transsexual, as she has two children: a girl who is accepting and a boy who has to come to blows with his father before he finally comes around. She makes Ruth transition in a small midwestern town, a really tough place, in order to bring out some of the worst that can happen. Ruth's workplace is a testosterone-filled factory and the coworkers have a violent reaction when Ruth shows up in a pair of earrings. The small town atmosphere permeates the story and reveals the ignorance of small town people, but also some surprising support and acceptance, even if it is after a hard-fought battle.

My main criticism is that the timeline is hard to follow. Ruth seems to transition much more quickly than most transsexuals, and she makes many mistakes, such as the above-mentioned earrings at work, the perfume she wears on the job, and the falsetto singing that gets her kicked out of choir. We never learn how Ruth gets her hormones, or how she gets permission for sex reassignment surgery--as all transsexuals know, there are gatekeeper issues in transition, and the director never reveals that side of Ruth's struggle.

In all, though, this is an entertaining and well crafted story, and it should help in the struggle for acceptance that all transgendered people go through. See it with your family, and learn to accept the diversity of the population around all of us.

Rating:
Summary: A kind of sense and sensibility to keep.
Review: "Normal" is a movie about a man who feels he is a woman who is trapped in a man's body. After 25 years of marriage he decides to admit this to himself, his wife, family, co-workers, and everyone else. He then makes gradual outward changes: perfume, ear rings, longer hair, clothes, hormones, and finally a sex change to become a female. But this is not a movie for those curious about how weird these things may be, nor is just about tranvestites, although it is about that. Moreover>>> This is a love story. Not since "Boys Don't Cry" have I seen a more emotional compelling drama. Jessica Lange is exquisite as the confused and emotionally starved wife, who, with great elan, faces the situation and makes the best of it as only a midwesterner facing a crisis can do. Tom Wilkerson is magnificent as the husband. Director-writer, Jane Andersen, manages a sense of humor and appropriate old ballads to introduce scenes. Irony abounds, e.g. the church sign showing the title of the Sunday sermon, "God Loves a Challenge." Finally I think this was a difficult and controversial story which was told and acted with sensitivity, intelligence, truth, and taste. In a way it represents the sense and sensibility of our time. A memory keeper.

Rating:
Summary: Making Us Think
Review: "Normal" is a powerful movie about a married couple who faces turbulances after the husband, Roy, reveals to his wife, Irma, that he wants to become a woman. As the problems arise, the emotional value becomes stronger. This is a great educational movie for those wanting to learn about transexuality. The realisms of such issues are heavily present from beginning to end. It proves that defining "normal" is not possible. The writing is brilliant. Their previous research of every expressed issue is present. This movie is not just about transexuality; it's also a love story. Such combination makes the movie much more interesting. Its intense scenes keep audiences' eyes wide open. The performers offer their own emotional sense that takes the movie to a higher level. Tom Wilkinson's Emmy and Golden Globe nominated role as Roy never loses the emotional value for a moment. His performance deserves great respect. Some may say this is role is above 2001's "In the Bedroom". Two-time Oscar winner Jessica Lange portrays Irma wonderfully. Her character's hardships are desplicted beautifully. All other actors also performed their roles wonderfully. "Normal" is an unforgettable movie that will keep audiences moved for a long time.

Rating:
Summary: Define Normal
Review: "Normal" is a powerful movie about a married couple who faces turbulances after the husband, Roy, reveals to his wife, Irma, that he wants to become a woman. As the problems arise, the emotional value becomes stronger. This is a great educational movie for those wanting to learn about transexuality. The realisms of such issues are heavily present from beginning to end. It proves that defining "normal" is not possible. The writing is brilliant. Their previous research of every expressed issue is present. This movie is not just about transexuality; it's also a love story. Such combination makes the movie much more interesting. Its intense scenes keep audiences' eyes wide open. The performers offer their own emotional sense that takes the movie to a higher level. Tom Wilkinson's Emmy and Golden Globe nominated role as Roy never loses the emotional value for a moment. His performance deserves great respect. Some may say this is role is above 2001's "In the Bedroom". Two-time Oscar winner Jessica Lange portrays Irma wonderfully. Her character's hardships are desplicted beautifully. All other actors also performed their roles wonderfully. "Normal" is an unforgettable movie that will keep audiences moved for a long time.

Rating:
Summary: Inaccurate but truthful
Review: Contradictory though it may be, this film is simultaneously inaccurate and truthful.

In presenting the gender transition of a middle-aged man in a small, conservative farming community, this film has an odd omission. As an earlier reviewer pointed out, Roy/Ruth is able to go through hormone therapy and to get Sexual Reassignment Surgery without the film ever showing how. This is more than just a technicality. To get HRT, one needs a prescription. Most endocrinologists who work with TG people work as much on the emotional side of the issues as they do on the physical. To get SRS, one must have letters from two therapists. Roy faces some incredibly difficult issues in this film. He also makes some very dangerous choices, such as wearing perfume and earrings to work before having disclosed his transition. In real life, the therapist would be working with Ruth on all of these things. It almost feels as though a decision was made after shooting to edit out all of the scenes in which Ruth interacts with her doctor and her therapist.

This does have the effect of focusing on the real drama, the evolving relationships within the family. But it makes the film feel somehow unreal and misguided.

Other than that, as several reviewers have mentioned, the acceptance of the community as depicted is extremely optimistic.

For all that, this film nailed it. A couple I know invited me over to watch movies with them one night, and popped this one into the VCR. Halfway into the film, I broke down weeping and had to leave. As a TG woman myself, this film captured the truth of what happens, of the emotions and changes, as accurately as anything I've ever seen. The humanity of this movie, in how it depicts all of the family members, is stunning. There is no sensationalism, no embellishment, just four human beings trying to make sense of and work through a difficult transition.

I went back to see my friends three nights later and watched the rest of the film. I'm glad I did. You will be glad you saw this film too. It's a wonderful story of love.

Rating:
Summary: Jessica Lange
Review: Excellent performance with Jessica Lange & Tom Wilkinson. The rest of the cast was also very good and well directed by Jane Anderson. I was happily suprise when I saw that movie! Very well done on many point of view.