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 | transgender woman | 

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Taglines:

Love. Marriage. Acceptance. Sex change.

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Genres:

Drama

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Did You Know?

Trivia

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

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Quotes

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

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Crazy Credits

"Looking for Normal" originally produced by Geffen Playhouse, Gilbert Cates, Randall Arney, Stephen Eich, Los Angeles, CA 2001

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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

An excellent watch if you're interested in sex change

In "Normal", an HBO feature film, a middleaged midwestern farming community family man (Wilkinson) reveals his plans to change gender. The film spends the entire run examining the reactions and adjustments of his family, coworkers, and community as he begins the process of transforming himself from man to woman up to but not including the required surgery. The result is an even, well managed, and delicate drama in which all the characters are exquisitely understanding and empathetic though the guy-to-gal protag does become a bit of a pariah as he moves from aftershave to perfume and there are periodic flare-ups as folks work to get their heads around the notion of a transgender in their midst. Though well executed, there's nothing particularly surprising in the film making it a lukewarm watch for all but those with an interest in the subject. (B)

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