| Normal | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Jane Anderson |
| Produced by | Thomas J. Busch Cary Brokaw Lydia Dean Pitcher |
| Written by | Jane Anderson |
| Starring | Jessica Lange Tom Wilkinson |
| Music by | Alex Wurman |
| Cinematography | Alar Kivilo |
| Editing by | Lisa Fruchtman |
| Distributed by | HBO Films |
| Release date(s) | January 21, 2003 (Sundance) |
| Running time | 110 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Normal is a 2003 drama film produced by HBO Films, which became an official selection at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. Jane Anderson, the film's writer and director, adapted her own play, Looking for Normal, about a Midwestern factory worker, who stuns his wife of 25 years by saying he wishes to undergo gender transition and sex reassignment surgery. The film was praised by most critics, and was nominated for many Emmys.
Contents |
Roy Applewood (Tom Wilkinson), after fainting on the night of his 25th anniversary, shocks his wife Irma (Jessica Lange) by revealing that he suffers from gender identity disorder and plans to transition into a woman and be renamed Ruth. While Ruth tries to keep the family together, Irma's initial reaction is to separate from her. Patty Ann (Hayden Panettiere), their daughter, is more accepting, but Wayne (Joe Sikora), their son, struggles with the transition.
Ruth faces ostracism at church and at work. She finds understanding from her boss but not from her minister. In the end, Irma discovers that love transcends gender and the family survives.