- Normal (2003 film)
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Normal Directed by Jane Anderson Produced by Thomas J. Busch
Cary Brokaw
Lydia Dean PitcherWritten by Jane Anderson Starring Jessica Lange
Tom WilkinsonMusic 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,[who?] and was nominated for many Emmys.
Contents
Plot
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.
Cast
- Jessica Lange as Irma Applewood
- Tom Wilkinson as Ruth Applewood
- Clancy Brown as Frank
- Hayden Panettiere as Patty Ann Applewod
- Joe Sikora as Wayne Applewood
- Richard Bull as Roy Applewood, Sr.
- Mary Siebel as Em Applewood
Awards and nominations
- Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television (nominated)
- Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television - Tom Wilkinson (nominated)
- Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television - Jessica Lange (nominated)
- Outstanding Makeup for a Miniseries, Movie, or a Special - Hallie D'Amore, Linda Melazzo, and Dorothy J. Pearl (won)
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie - Tom Wilkinson (nominated)
- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie - Jessica Lange (nominated)
- Outstanding Made-for-Television Movie - Cary Brokaw and Lydia Dean Pitcher (nominated)
- Outstanding Main Title Design - Antoine Tinguely, Jasmine Jodry, Jakob Trollbeck, and Laurent Fauchere (nominated)
- Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie, or a Dramatic Special - Jane Anderson (nominated)
See also
External links
Categories:- 2003 films
- American films
- English-language films
- 2000s drama films
- American drama films
- American LGBT-related films
- Films based on plays
- Films directed by Jane Anderson
- HBO original films
- Transgender in film and television
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