Normal (2003)

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

Director:

Jane Anderson

Writers:

Jane Anderson (play), Jane Anderson (teleplay)

Stars:

Richard Bull, Mary Seibel, Danny Goldring

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 4 wins & 18 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

In the countryside of the United States of America, Irma Applewood and her husband Roy Applewood have been happily married for twenty-five years and they are model citizens in their community. Roy brings Irma to meet Reverend Dale Muncie, who is their pastor and friend, to tell that he is a woman trapped in a man's body and he will have a sex-change operation. Now Roy has to face the deception of his wife and the intolerance of his colleagues, members of his church and his son Wayne. But Irma loves him and after the impact of the news, she understands and supports him with their teenage daughter Patty Ann (Hayden Panettiere) and Roy's boss Frank ('Clancy Brown') that is their friend.

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Plot Keywords:

seductive | hot | sex scene | sexy | sex change | 

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Taglines:

Love. Marriage. Acceptance. Sex change.

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Genres:

Drama

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Tom Wilkinson chose not to do any research into the subject of transgenderism, as he felt that a mid-Western farmer wouldn't know anything about the subject either.

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Quotes

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

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Crazy Credits

for David

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Connections

Referenced in The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards (2009)

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Soundtracks

Skates for X-Mas
Written and Performed by Bruno Coon

User Reviews

A wonderful journey

When I read the synopsis for this movie I was a bit 50/50 whether to watch it or not. Thank God I chose to do so. It is a journey of discovery, of pain, of sorrow, of anger, of resentment, of bitterness which then turns to a journey of acceptance, love, commitment, and joy. I know there is a lot of talk in the USA today about homosexuality, etc and such issues, but all I ask of anyone who has a soul is to give this movie a chance with an open heart and mind. This movie asks the hard questions and there are no easy answers. What you have is a group of actors plying their trade at the highest level. I commend this movie very highly to anyone with an open mind. I give this movie (for honesty) 9/10. A must see.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 March 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Eine Frage der Liebe

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Films, Avenue Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1