Normal

Normal (2003) was a made-for-TV movie 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. Roy Applewood, after fainting on the night of his 25th anniversary, shocks his wife Ir... more

Normal (2003) was a made-for-TV movie 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. Roy Applewood, after fainting on the night of his 25th anniversary, shocks his wife Irma 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, their daughter, is more accepting, but Wayne, their son, struggles with his parent's transition. However, he comes to a new-found friendship and understanding with his family. 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... less