Normal Life

R

1996

1 hr. 41 min.

Drama

List

70%

10 Reviews

Tomatometer

49%

500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Chris (Luke Perry) and Pam (Ashley Judd) have nothing in common. He's a strait-laced police officer, and she's an unstable drug addict. Still, the two fall in love and quickly marry. But Pam's taste for expensive items nearly drives the couple into bankruptcy. Things are made even worse when Chris loses his job as a cop. Taking up work as a bank security guard, Chris decides to use the skills he learned as a policeman to rob banks, hoping that he can finally have enough money to make Pam happy.

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Audience Member

This somewhat "obscure" movie is one of my favorites of all time. Ashley Judd delivers nothing less than perfection in her role as Pam, a psychologically disturbed young woman who can't and won't "settle down," and Luke Perry keeps up with her in his role as Chris, the ever-devoted loyal family man and by-the-book cop. Chris tries futilely to tame Pam, finally giving in her to her whims, only to end up doing the unthinkable. This film is tragic but beautiful, and will not leave you bored. A thrill ride from start to finish. A must-see that most have not seen, unfortunately.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Been awhile, but I loved it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

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Audience Member

What a nutcase! But it works :) good movie

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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Audience Member

Not too bad. Surprisingly so, as it contains the first sign of a B-grade movie, Luke Perry. Interesting plot, based on a true story. While this could easily have become a paint-by-numbers docu-drama, it is more interesting than that, as the human side is explored. I only watched this because it stars Ashley Judd, and she doesn't disappoint. Even Luke Perry is believable in this.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Solid true life drama from John McNaughton who directed HENRY:PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER.Luke Perry is good in the male lead in a role a million miles away from 90210 but the real star here is Ashley Judd who gives a fantastic performance as Perry's unstable wife.Good film,well worth checking out.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Who, besides Sharon Stone, plays an emotionally disturbed woman better than Ashley Judd? No one, and this movie proves that. A strong 2/3 makes up for a muddled last act.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

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John McNaughton

Director

Luke Perry

Chris Anderson

Ashley Judd

Pam Anderson

Bruce A. Young

Agent Parker

Jim True-Frost

Mike Anderson

Dawn Maxey

Eva

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

[Normal Life] is the new movie by John McNaughton, famous for Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer. It's not as unremittingly painful as the earlier film, but just as fascinating in its portrait of criminal pathology.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

James Berardinelli

ReelViews

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Jun 25, 2005

Full Review

Bill Chambers

Film Freak Central

The most confrontational and most inclusive work of McNaughton's career

Rated: 3.5/4

Apr 17, 2005

Full Review

Caffeinated Clint

Moviehole

Perry gives a confronting, eerie performance

Rated: 3/5

Mar 23, 2005

Full Review

Eric Melin

Lawrence.com

Rated: 3/5

Mar 5, 2005

Full Review

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Synopsis

Chris (Luke Perry) and Pam (Ashley Judd) have nothing in common. He's a strait-laced police officer, and she's an unstable drug addict. Still, the two fall in love and quickly marry. But Pam's taste for expensive items nearly drives the couple into bankruptcy. Things are made even worse when Chris loses his job as a cop. Taking up work as a bank security guard, Chris decides to use the skills he learned as a policeman to rob banks, hoping that he can finally have enough money to make Pam happy.

Director: John McNaughton
Executive Producer: John Saviano
Screenwriter: Peg Haller, Bob Schneider
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $9.6K
Sound Mix: Stereo

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