Normal (2007)

In the riveting drama, Normal (2007), the profound echoes of a car accident ripple through the lives of three interconnected families. Two years after the tragic crash that claimed the life of sixteen-year-old Nickie Reichert, the aftermath is still palpable. His mother, Catherine Reichert, is lost in a sea of grief, keeping his room untouched like a silent monument to her lost son, and inadvertently neglecting her husband, Dale, and her living son, Brady, who remains cloaked in his elder brother's shadow. Meanwhile, the accident's aftershocks reverberate through the life of Walter Braugher, a college professor and the intoxicated driver on that fateful night, who wrestles with guilt and self-doubt, manifesting in a descent into alcoholism. As his relationship with his wife, Abby, frays at the seams, he seeks solace in an inappropriate relationship with one of his students, Sherri Banks. As if this turmoil wasn't enough, Walter's autistic brother, Dennis, a passenger during the accident, is paralyzed by fear, unable to venture outside his apartment since the incident. Emerging from the shadows of the Youth Detention Centre is Jordie, Nickie's friend and the driver of the stolen car involved in the catastrophe. His release only leads him to a home of resentment and sorrow. His father, Carl, a psychotherapist, harbors an unforgiving anger towards Jordie, poisoning his marriage to Jordie's lonely stepmother, Elise. Both Jordie and Elise crave the warmth of love and understanding that seems so elusive. As the narrative unfolds, the intricate threads binding these characters to the accident are laid bare. Each of them grapples with their emotions, their relationships, and their identities, caught in an intricate dance of guilt, grief, and longing. A question hangs in the air, like a specter over each character - in the wake of such a catastrophe, how can they find their way back to normality? Can they ever truly be 'normal' again? The film explores these poignant questions in a deeply moving and compelling fashion, leaving viewers contemplating the true meaning of 'being normal'.

Normal is a drama movie featuring Carrie-Anne Moss and directed by Carl Bessai.

Normal is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on DistroTV, Freevee, Plex, Plex Player and Tubi TV.

It is also possible to buy Normal on Amazon Video.