Normal (2003) (TV)

Director:

Jane Anderson

Writers (WGA):

Jane Anderson (play)
Jane Anderson (teleplay)

Release Date:

14 April 2005 (Hungary)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Love. Marriage. Acceptance. Sex change.

Plot:

A Midwestern husband and father announces his plan to have a sex change operation.

Plot Keywords:

Sex Change | Family Farm | Thanksgiving | Preacher | Thanksgiving Day

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 4 wins & 13 nominations

Cast

Richard Bull	...	Roy Sr. - Roy's Father
Mary Seibel	...	Em - Roy's Mother
Danny Goldring	...	Church Friend Pete
Jessica Lange	...	Irma Applewood
Tom Wilkinson	...	Roy 'Ruth' Applewood
Hayden Panettiere	...	Patty Ann Applewood
Randall Arney	...	Reverend Dale Muncie
Rich Komenich	...	Co-Worker Bob
Kirk Anderson	...	Machinist
Christian Ambrose	...	Band Member #1
Joe Foust	...	Roadie #1
Sean Rice	...	Band Member #2
Mickey Tuman	...	Roadie #2
Joseph Sikora	...	Wayne Applewood (as Joe Sikora)
Clancy Brown	...	Frank

Runtime:

110 min | Argentina:113 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:MA | Iceland:12 | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-11 | Germany:12

Filming Locations:

CNH Tractor Assembly Plant & Foundry, Racine, Wisconsin, USA

Company:

Avenue Pictures Productions

Trivia:

Although this was made for television by HBO Films, it was still an official selection at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival.

Quotes:

[last lines]
Irma: Sweet Roy. Sweet soul. What we do for love.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards (2009) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Happy Birthday To You

Not Just Another Transsexual Movie

Normal is a funny, lovely, touching love story about a God-fearing rural small-town Midwestern couple--Roy and Irma Applewood--played by Tom Wilkinson and Jessica Lange. Shortly after their 25th anniversay, Roy goes public with the revelation that he has long felt that he is a woman trapped in a man's body, and with the Protestant determination to do something about it, no matter the consequences. Irma (Jessica Lange), an avid knitter and member of the church choir, naturally finds this a little disconcerting.

And so the fun begins. Roy gradually becomes a woman, and Irma, as well as the kids and the townspeople, all react.

Wilkinson is a curious transsexual, shattering virtually all of our myths, he evolves from an aging, non-descript man into a still-frumpy and hopelessly homely woman. While we may feel his pain, Anderson is much more interested in challenging our reaction to him than delving into his conflicted anguish. Nevertheless, she treats his change with a certain amount of whimsy. It is difficult not to warm to his smile when he dons his first earrings.

But it is Lange who is the star of the show. Demonstrating a surprising knack for dry comedy, she moves from frustration and resentment to acceptance and compassion. Surely drawing from her own Midwestern roots (some of the move could easily have been filmed in Cloquet, Minnesota!) Lange's character never wallows in self-pity, but searches for answers within, as she seeks to redefine her relationship to her husband.

Lange once again displays her extraordinary talent. (Truth be told, she was my first crush, and she is aging beautifully.) She portrays strength and vulnerability like few in her class. (Meryl Streep comes to mind.)

Hayden Panettiere is also quite good as the 13-year-old daughter.

Normal premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.