Normal
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Movie Reviews of Normal
Movie Review: A sensitive subject from an unusual perspective
Summary: 5 Stars
Normal deals with an extremely sensitive subject usually dealt with in an urban context, involving a much younger protagonist who is physically more acceptable in transition, and largely ignoring the point of view of the loved ones who have to cope with such a radical transformation. Jessica Lange's midwestern housewife suddenly thrust into dealing with the previously unthinkable is really the focus here, and she does a masterful job of portraying the anger, confusion, and ultimate reluctant acceptance of her husband's transition into a female gender role. The reactions of the town, and of the couple's young adult son are similarly sensitively handled. The adolescent daughter's acceptance may have been just a bit too easy, as was his transition at work.
What was most missing was Roy's internal development; having decided upon a radical course of action after what we see as only occasional precipitating factors, he just pursues it stolidly, if in a touchingly inept 'male' way. (Clip-on earrings before eyebrows, an androgynous necklace or bracelet, or light make-up? What could he have been thinking?) There would have had to have been hundreds of appointments with therapists, psychiatrists, physicians, gatekeepers of all kinds, which are totally invisible here; in fact, it's not clear how he could have gathered all the resources necessary so quickly from his location in a small prairie town apparently far from Chicago. Real-life Roy might have played with a falsetto when alone, but only sotto voce in a choir; he probably would at least try to learn something about voice modification from the Web.
Still, kudos to Tom Wilkinson for taking this role, which most men would refuse to even consider, and which wouldn't be easy even for a genuine transsexual woman to portray (although their issues would be coming from the other side.) Hayden Panettiere was adorable as the understanding daughter, although most memoirs indicate it isn't so easy even for the most open-minded kids. Even if it was a little too easy (we don't see any of Roy/Ruth's relatives rejecting her, other than the senile father), the film was courageous, and for the most part an unblinking look at something most observers don't even try to understand, much less depict sympathetically. HBO also deserves much praise for producing and releasing it.
Movie Review: Emotional truthful, powerful and intelligent work
Summary: 5 Stars
There are golden moments in dramatic works - theatre, cinema - which remain with the viewer - Brando and Steiger in the taxi et al - but I really feel this film has more than one. And that I guess is thanks to the superb casting of all parts but especially the rivetting performances of Mr Wilkinson and Ms Lange who are two of the finest actors working in film and have proved through a body of work they up with the greats. Its tone is pitch perfect with the ironic voice of the director felt at every turn with the terrific counterweight of the soundtrack.
But to begin at the beginning - I'm not one to rush out to see some damn self righteous film about people with sex "problems" not least "the man who wants to be a woman problem film" or another film about how traumatic it is to be homosexual or heterosexual. But drama is not just entertainment and great drama can be both entertaining and enlightening about what is termed our "condition" as humans. NORMAL does this brilliantly and demonstrates how Americans at least "normal" ones are so aroused or unsettled by sexual matters that they would rather impeach a President for exposing himself and let another one off for bombing another country (Cambodia) illegally. Undoubtedly, if your Dad comes home one night in drag it would be off putting - the glory of the film I think is the journey the character portayed by Mr Wilkinson makes in the physical sense and the journey the
character played by Ms Lange makes in the psychological sense which she has to make in a very short time indeed. It is above all else a truly great LOVE story without a dull moment. One lovely moment comes as Mr Wilkinson's character is driving home singing a hymn, then tries it in falsetto to see how it sounds and seems to relax completely into himself. A beautiful work - with some lessons in great acting for aspirants to that difficult profession.
Movie Review: A movie of depth and warmth
Summary: 5 Stars
The accompanying song to the opening scene and several other enchanting tunes; the shots of the growing luscious green corns to signify the passing of the time; the excellent cast with Jessica Lange (Irma, the wife) and Tom Wilkinson (Roy, the husband) all contributed to the movie's sucess. Yet it was Jane Anderson, the director, script writer and the author all-in-one, who was pivotal in keeping the story leap out of the page; making a drastic twist of fate to this normal corn-belt family convincing, sympathetic; not just another cliche and tear jerker.
Tom Wilkinson has portrayed his emotional and physical change from a dutiful father, Roy, to an evolving woman, Ruth, with subtlety, dignity and elegance. But it was Jessica Lange who kept the family and Roy from falling apart. Her even temper, smile and tenacity under the adverse condition all bespoke her strength and love for her husband. She shielded her husband from being ridiculed - picking his new clothes, stood by him in church, work place and his extended family. The 11-year old daughter(Hayden Panettiere) accepted her father's switch in gender with as much intensity as the 20-something son (Joseph Sikora) shunned it. She bombarded her father with questions while the son could barely stay in the same room with his father at the thanksgiving dinner.
It was bittersweet for Roy to be accepted by his strict and unforgiving father only because the elder man suffered from dementia; yet it was upbeating to find Roy acknowledge his mother's difficult job of taking care of his father. Being able to put himself in the shoes of his mother, understand the situation perfectly and articulate it in words, Roy completed his emotional transformation to Ruth.
Movie Review: Truly Normal
Summary: 5 Stars
I just finished watching this movie, and I am surprised to say that I was truly impressed. Normal succeeds where movies like Transamerica have failed, in my opinion. Its awkward, its painful, its hard to watch - or it was for me - but its all of these things because it is a vivid reflection of the real conflict and confusion that transsexuality can create in the lives of those who are born to it and those who come to it through the love of others.
It doesn't throw out theories or try to explain the condition, but there is enough information, cleverly and naturally interwoven into the fabric of the story to give a cursory education about the subject matter. Most of the important questions are asked and answered with care. It doesn't focus on a clinical view, but gives a warm and thoughtful human perspective, dealing with the feelings of everyone involved: the transsexual, her family, and her community. There is a lot of beauty in the way many of the situations are handled and a lot of reality in the way many issues are never really resolved.
It doesn't sugar coat things, but it does suggest that love and hope are critical elements in the healing that everyone touched by this condition needs.
Personally, I think it is very aptly titled, because it portrays everyone with an eye to the basic frailty of the human condition, showing as it unfolds that all of the characters are in fact just that: Normal.
The performances are great and the story is well written. I would recommend this film to anyone who is interested in a poignant human drama and to anyone interested in a serious and carefully crafted work on the subject of transsexuality.
Movie Review: A quiet powerhouse - Wonderful film
Summary: 5 Stars
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.