Scanialara
You won't be disappointed!
NipPierce
Wow, this is a REALLY bad movie!
Develiker
terrible... so disappointed.
Cheryl
A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.
moonspinner55
Before the advent of the Lifetime or Women's Entertainment networks, wherein made-for-cable movies regularly turn up about female bonding amidst great inner turmoil, something slight like "Leaving Normal" actually made a run in theaters; today, I doubt that would happen. Abused wife Meg Tilly hitches up with world-weary Christine Lahti for adventures on the road. It's a feminist comedy-drama with a few thoughtful things to say, but too much melodramatic nonsense and curious attempts at broad humor which do not work at all. Edward Zwick directed, and he gets this tale off to a shaky start (and Lahti, in particular, seems to struggle to find her character). It improves as it goes along, but not enough to make it a memorable trip. ** from ****
astrautz
I first watched this movie on Lifetime and found the story moving and satisfying. Who hasn't made mistakes in their life and felt like just chucking all of the decisions and leaving it to chance.This movie is about two wanderers. One a cynic, and one naive and too trusting. It is about friends taking the chance at finding happiness.I wish that this movie was more well known. Another in a long list that I wish were on DVD. I will transfer my difficult to find copy myself.A more upbeat "Thelma and Louise". One of my favorite almost unknown movies. I wish that this had been the women's empowerment movie of the 90's instead of "Thelma and Louise". These characters are much more real.
kay.franey
The movie had a lovely opening with Meg Tilly confiding to a series of fellow passengers on a Greyhound Bus, that she is sure her life was about to change, even though she was marrying a person she did not know very well. About two minutes later, she is back out on the road, illusions shattered. Her character(Marianne) bumps into Christine Lahti, who is also ready for a change, after burning just about everybody who has ever be-friended her. So, Marianne-Pollyana and the queen of bitterness take off for Alaska. Some of the surprises include a poet-trucker, and Christine's dancing abilities.
Berta-4
No, there is no such place as Normal, Wyoming...except maybe on a psychological landscape. Leaving Normal is the story of an unusual journey and friendship. Meg Tilly as Marianne Johnson is a wide-eyed naif who has never made a good decision in her rambling life. Christine Lahti (now seen on ER) is a cynical cocktail waitress whose choices haven't been much better; together the two somehow cobble a relationship that enriches both, as well as some oddball others. They travel to Alaska, where each finally has the room she needs to build a life. You will probably find this movie in the comedy section of your video store, but it doesn't really belong there, even though some of the dialogue is HILARIOUS. Some nice cinematography, particularly the 4th of July scenes and the aurora borealis. The coffee mug motif is pretty cool, too. Will appeal to anyone who liked Thelma & Louise or Fried Green Tomatoes but wished the heroines of these would have been alive at the end. See it!
