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Normal Life

  • 1996
  • R
  • 1h 41m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
2.6K
YOUR RATING
Ashley Judd and Luke Perry in Normal Life (1996)
Chris is young idealistic cop who falls in love and gets married to Pam, a beautiful but emotionally unstable woman who suffers from alcoholism and drug addiction.
Play trailer1:14
1 Video
18 Photos
True CrimeCrimeDrama

A rookie cop marries Pam, a troubled woman battling addiction. Their marriage strains under her spending and their mounting debts. After losing his job, Chris turns to bank robbery using his... Read allA rookie cop marries Pam, a troubled woman battling addiction. Their marriage strains under her spending and their mounting debts. After losing his job, Chris turns to bank robbery using his police expertise.A rookie cop marries Pam, a troubled woman battling addiction. Their marriage strains under her spending and their mounting debts. After losing his job, Chris turns to bank robbery using his police expertise.

  • Director
    • John McNaughton
  • Writers
    • Peg Haller
    • Bob Schneider
  • Stars
    • Ashley Judd
    • Luke Perry
    • Bruce A. Young
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.2/10
    2.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John McNaughton
    • Writers
      • Peg Haller
      • Bob Schneider
    • Stars
      • Ashley Judd
      • Luke Perry
      • Bruce A. Young
    • 29User reviews
    • 28Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:14
    Trailer

    Photos18

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    Top cast30

    Edit
    Ashley Judd
    Ashley Judd
    • Pam Anderson
    Luke Perry
    Luke Perry
    • Chris Anderson
    Bruce A. Young
    Bruce A. Young
    • Agent Parker
    • (as Bruce Young)
    Jim True-Frost
    Jim True-Frost
    • Mike Anderson
    • (as Jim True)
    Edmund Wyson
    Edmund Wyson
    • Darren
    Michael Skewes
    • Officer Swift
    Scott Cummins
    Scott Cummins
    • Hank Chilton
    Kevin Mukherji
    Kevin Mukherji
    • Homeowner
    Kate Walsh
    Kate Walsh
    • Cindy Anderson
    Tom Towles
    Tom Towles
    • Frank Anderson
    Penelope Milford
    Penelope Milford
    • Adele Anderson
    Brian McCann
    Brian McCann
    • Justice of the Peace
    Dawn Maxey
    • Eva
    Kevin Hurley
    • Norman
    Brian Blondell
    • Toy Store Clerk
    Grady Hutt
    • Jeremy Anderson
    Jonathan Lavan
    • Funeral Director
    Diane Dorsey
    • Head Teller
    • Director
      • John McNaughton
    • Writers
      • Peg Haller
      • Bob Schneider
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews29

    6.22.6K
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    Featured reviews

    7pepekwa

    good movie

    I always like being surprised by films I've never heard of or come across and this one is a very good way to pass the time.

    Luke perry was very good in one of his first "grown up roles" as a by the book cop who becomes obsessed with a clearly deranged ashley judd who does a good impression of a young angelina jolie. If you're a Judd fan, you'll be pleased to know there's several topless shots of said lady.

    Tittle-tattle aside, this is a very entertaining movie to watch, it doesn't spend ages on building up characters but gives you all you need to know with the minimum of fuss which allows time for the film to progress nicely.

    There are a few plot holes and there wont be any awards for acting but this was a decent enough thriller that should be checked out.
    7SKG-2

    Strange and ultimately unsatisfying

    I don't know why, but I haven't been able to get into the films of director John McNaughton. Of the films of his I've seen(HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER, MAD DOG AND GLORY, WILD THINGS, and this), I can see obvious talent, but for some reason he hasn't put it all together for me(HENRY, the best of those, was tighter, but had some problems). At least here, I can detail what went wrong for me. For one, there were too many shouting matches(someone ought to tell actors that yelling is not the only way to express anger). For another, I've never really liked Luke Perry, and he runs the gamut of expressions here from A to B. Ashley Judd is quite good here, giving an intuitive performance, and never quite answering what's wrong with her character, but letting us guess for ourselves(of course, she's a drug addict and alcoholic, but there seems to be more to it). And the details of this supposedly true story seem fascinating. I just wish it added up to more.
    bob the moo

    Good performances & well plotted

    The film starts with the FBI arresting Luke Perry during a car robbery and tracks back to two years prior. It is at this point that Perry first meets Ashley Judd and his life begins to change. Essentially he becomes trapped by his love with a woman that is clearly no good for him - leading to fights, crime and his eventual capture.

    Perry takes a huge leap away from his 90210 posterboy image with a good haunted performance as the man forced to live outside his small-town "normal life" by Judd's desire for more excitement than a small town can give.

    Ashley Judd is excellent as Pam, constantly riddled with suffering and inconsistency as she flies around emotionally, cuts herself with knives and puts guns to her head and only finds peace when taking drugs, spending money or stealing. The only criticism is that she is required to be nude almost once every ten minutes - this doesn't develop her character and made me think that the director wanted to have it there to satisfy the men in the audience, it almost like she was being exploited.

    Overall the film is well plotted and makes Perry's change almost believable - however his final change doesn't totally make sense. That said it's a pretty emotional ride that doesn't let you get bored at any point, is well acted and well scripted. All through the film you can't help but feel sad for Perry as he is henpecked, corrupted and ultimately tormented by Judd's childish alluring Pam.
    Wizard-8

    Interesting look at two lower class minds

    "Normal Life" was barely given a theatrical release by its studio, Fine Line. That's a shame, because there is a lot that is worthy in this movie. John McNaughton was a good choice to direct this movie, because in "Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer", he showed he had a talent for showing those in lower class positions with low self esteem - just like the two main characters in this movie. These characters have high ambitions and try to do better (at least initially), but they are shot down by themselves and their surrounding society. They want, but don't get, respect. The movie is focused on their insides, not much on what surrounds them like their jobs. They are drawn together because they are two lost souls - they at least have that to share. The two actors are excellent in their roles (Luke Perry sheds his pretty-boy image completely here.) The movie is not perfect - there are a few details that are not explained (like what exactly is used to justify Perry's character's firing from his job.) Also, the movie is a bit too long, more noticeably in the first half of the movie - cutting fifteen or so minutes from the movie would have helped. But despite these faults, the movie is still well worth seeking out.
    Doctor_Bombay

    Embarrassing.

    More often than not, an early title card that reads "inspired by a true story" translates to a film maker's apology for what is going to be an embarrassing work. And electronic titles as well, the cheapest possible-cheap like they use for the late-night cable movies suggests this project was scrapped-pieces pasted together into something presentable, but hardly watchable.

    And when you're right, you're right.

    Good, lonely boy meets bad, bad girl, in a bad, bad, bad, movie

    It seems inappropriate to criticize the actors, as I can't imagine there was even a script. Every scene seems to be a series of bad improvs, almost amateurish audition pieces. I was a John McNaughton fan based on his first feature: "Henry:Portrait of a Serial Killer", a low budget, but high-energy, inventive piece of film making. But this mess is only familiar to that film as regards overall production value.

    By my count this makes 5 movies in a row where the high point of Ashley Judd's performance seems to be her undressing and /or use of dirty language. This list includes her role as the young Norma Jean Baker (Marilyn Monroe). Maybe a case of life imitates art?

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The bar where Chris and Pam first meet is the Bartlett Tap located in downtown Bartlett, Illinois. The tavern has been in existence since the 1800s.
    • Goofs
      Pam Anderson said her telescope was a Newtonian reflector; however, it was a long focal length 60mm refractor.
    • Quotes

      Chris: I Can't on sunday, Mike.

      Mike: We never see you anymore. What is it with you two? Still in your honeymoon? Too fucking busy, or too busy fucking?

    • Alternate versions
      Portuguese version misses about 9 minutes of the original movie. There are no scenes of nudity or sex, and not a single swear word. Even the scenes showing characters with guns pointed at their own heads were removed. In Portugal there is no censorship, but it seems the local distributor brought in a version made for American networks.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: The Associate/High School High/Normal Life/Twelfth Night/Trees Lounge (1996)
    • Soundtracks
      Just Before Mary Goes
      Written by Leslie Stanwyck (as L. Stanwyck) and Johnny Sinclair (as J. Sinclair)

      Performed by Universal Honey

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    FAQ16

    • How long is Normal Life?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 25, 1996 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Нормальне життя
    • Filming locations
      • Hanover Park, Illinois, USA
    • Production companies
      • Fine Line Features
      • New Line Cinema
      • Normal Life Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $22,891
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,315
      • Oct 27, 1996
    • Gross worldwide
      • $22,891
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 41 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Ultra Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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