Normal

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Normal

TV-MA

2003

1h 49m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

7 Reviews

76%

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1,000+ Ratings

After a 25-year marriage to Irma (Jessica Lange), Roy Applewood (Tom Wilkinson) shocks his family when he reveals that he has a gender identity disorder. The Applewood family is further thrown into turmoil when Roy decides to have a sex change operation to relieve the pain of being trapped in a man's body. Roy's co-workers are baffled, his church rejects him and his son, Wayne (Joe Sikora), struggles with the humiliation of having a father who now goes by the name Ruth.

John Leonard

New York Magazine/Vulture

... almost every line of dialogue has at least two meanings, one literal and the other either pop-anthropological or pomo-ironic. And yet Normal, unlike About Schmidt, actually seems to like its characters, and they seem to like each other.

Jan 30, 2018

Full Review

Rex Reed

Observer

A television event that truly deserves the label.

Mar 13, 2003

Full Review

David Rooney

Variety

Story of a middle-aged man preparing to undergo a sex change and of the woman who slowly comes to accept him is rendered with sincerity and restraint by director Jane Anderson.

Feb 20, 2003

Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

What saves it from TV-movie banality are the performances.

Rated: B-

Sep 19, 2022

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Sep 4, 2005

Full Review

Rich Cline

Shadows on the Wall

Anderson's remarkable achievement here is to treat such a sensational subject with such a steady hand.

Rated: 4.5/5

May 22, 2004

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Audience Member

Amazinfg Story , very touching and great actors .

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Exceptional movie! Highly recommended to anyone who isn't narrow minded(there's no hope for those people).

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is one of my all time favorite movies! Wilkinson is great & the chemistry between him and Jessica Lange is phenomenal! Jessica actually steals lead in my eyes for this film. Also little Hayden should not be overlooked, she did an awesome job in this film. I love how it shows all of the different angles of going through the process of having a Trans parent. The trans parent, the spouse, and the children. I also love how is shows that above all else, love prevails. It conquers all. This movie is very moving and inspirational.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

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Audience Member

Great story. Great acting by the two leads. Weak editing.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

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Audience Member

It was an interesting story but I found the acting to be kinda corny and off putting

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Powerful performance by Wilkinson and a powerhouse performance by Lange (who actually stole the show). This is an very interesting story about a modern issue rarely thought about but nevertheless, profound.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

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Jane Anderson

Director

Jessica Lange

Irma Applewood

Tom Wilkinson

Roy Applewood

Hayden Panettiere

Patty Ann Applewood

Clancy Brown

Frank

Joseph Sikora

Wayne Applewood

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Synopsis

After a 25-year marriage to Irma (Jessica Lange), Roy Applewood (Tom Wilkinson) shocks his family when he reveals that he has a gender identity disorder. The Applewood family is further thrown into turmoil when Roy decides to have a sex change operation to relieve the pain of being trapped in a man's body. Roy's co-workers are baffled, his church rejects him and his son, Wayne (Joe Sikora), struggles with the humiliation of having a father who now goes by the name Ruth.

Director: Jane Anderson
Screenwriter: Jane Anderson
Production Co: Miramax
Rating: TV-MA (L)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Jan 16, 2007
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Surround