Profoundly Normal

im still getting over the fact that kirstie wasnt nomainted for an emmy for this. it was WELL deserved. more than well deserved. the story about two handicapped people coming together and showing people that they can succed on thier own is enough. but her preformance? if you didnt see it,you missed out. all those people out there that dont consider her a real actress. despite the fact shes done as much drama as she has comedy. but this really gave everyone the chance to see what she can do. what everyone could do,the movie was the best tv movie ive seen in a LONG time. kirstie alley should win an emmy for this. to go along side with the one she won in 1994 for 'davids mother'. also amazing. but i cant believe she was just ignored for this. anyway the story which is based on a true story by the way is captivting.the actors are dead on but its kirstie who shines. what can i say? nothing but the best..from the best ever.

Of all the movies I've watched with leading characters with mentally diminished capacity, I've never seen one with a woman playing the leading role. "Nell" doesn't count because Nell (Jodie Foster) wasn't mentally slow though they made it seem like it. The fact is, she was raised completely isolated and had a mother who couldn't speak correctly, hence Nell was socially maladjusted and couldn't speak correctly. "Profoundly Normal" stars Kirstie Alley who played Donna Thornton, a woman who was legitimately mentally disabled.

This movie is a memoir of sorts that highlights her adult relationship with her husband Ricardo Thornton (Delroy Lindo). Ricardo may not have been mentally disabled at all, but he was labeled such and so it was. The two of them met at an institution called Forest Haven in Maryland. Forest Haven is just like what you'd imagine a big institution for the mentally handicapped would be in the 60's: big and soulless with a cruel and abusive staff. They sought to marry and live a normal life together even if those with the smarts and the degrees said otherwise.

This is a darling movie along the lines of "I Am Sam," but based upon real people. And I think that knowing "Profoundly Normal" is about two real people makes it more endearing, sentimental, and sympathetic. I've never seen Kirstie Alley in anything serious and I thought she had a marvelous performance in this movie. I expected nothing less from Delroy Lindo. He was as professional as always.

I went through an emotional roller coaster watching this movie. I laughed, I cried and I got upset.

The story was extremely touching and the acting was fantastic.

The Thornton's are extraordinary people and I felt very privileged to have the opportunity for the glance into their spectacular lives.

It was years ago that I saw Donna and Ricardo Thornton on Sixty Minutes and heard their story. Upon seeing the premiere of this movie, I realized who Kirstie Alley was portraying, and Alley did it superbly.

In the movie, Ricky Thornton, their son, says his father should have never been institutionalized, and in all liklihood, Donna shouldn't have been either. As portrayed by Alley, it was clear Donna was a capable and determined woman who was not mentally challenged or retarded. We should all be as able to accomplish what Donna Thornton did. When I saw the Thornton's story on Sixty Minutes, it was a story that was made to be told, I just can't figure out why it has taken so long to do so.

Emmy worthy? Only if the Emmy award means anything. Alley should be nominated, but if five other actresses are chosen instead, it will hardly mean any of them diminish this performance or this film. Kirstie Alley spared no punches in depicting a true woman of character.

Told in the form of the news interview, Alley and Delroy Lindo were beyond convincing, looking as tho nothing was scripted.

Thankfully, the film followed Donna Thornton's example and didn't focus on the travesty of the institution, instead portraying the love story, a fascinating uphill saga.

Disease-of-the-Week telemovies can get tedious and annoying. This cannot be said of the Thorntons. They are truly a blessing to have heard about. Absolutely magnificent.

As a mental health professional, I felt this was one of the most tastefully performed movies that I have ever seen involving issues related to mental illness.

I must admit that I am an fan of both Alley and Lindo and wanted to see the movie based on this affection to both. I was presently surprised to see that the basis for the movie was involving mental illness.

Over the past decades, mental illness and treatment has been view in such a negative way, with absolutely no humanistic qualities involved. And for the most part, that was the truth! This movie put the humanistic aspects back into focus. In fact, I saw it as a love story that rose out of darkness. So many lessons to learn.....for all of us!

The acting was superb! The chemistry of Alley and Lindo was invigorating! They must have researched their characters well! I see academy award nominations for both.