Normal Life

1996

Normal Life (1996)

TOMATOMETER

70%

——

Critic Consensus: No consensus yet.

AUDIENCE SCORE

47%

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Movie Info

A seemingly ordinary couple jump the tracks into disaster in this drama based on a true story. Chris Anderson (Luke Perry) is a straight-arrow cop who meets Pam (Ashley Judd) after she's hurt in a barroom fight. He asks her to dance after helping to stop her bleeding, and it's love at first sight. While Chris plays by the rules, Pam likes to drink, smoke dope, spend money, and cause trouble, and while he wants to make her happy, her emotional instability makes this no easy task. After Chris is fired and takes a job as a security guard, he can no longer pay the bills that Pam is ringing up. He uses his knowledge of security systems to rob banks, and he discovers that he's good at it. Pam eventually finds out about Chris' sideline; the prospect of danger excites her sexually, and she insists on joining in for future robberies, goading him into a crime spree that leads to tragedy. While Normal Life was planned as a theatrical release, the film debuted on premium cable after disputes between the studio and director John McNaughton; despite this, the film earned positive reviews and a cult following.

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Cast

Ashley Judd
as Pam Anderson
Luke Perry
as Chris Anderson
Bruce A. Young
as Agent Parker
Jim True-Frost
as Mike Anderson
Dawn Maxey
as Eva
Penelope Milford
as Adele Anderson
Tom Towles
as Frank Anderson
Kate Walsh
as Cindy Anderson
Gregory Scott Cummins
as Hank Chilton
Bryan McCann
as Justice of the Peace
Edmund Wyson
as Darren
Michael Skewes
as Swift
Kevin Mukherji
as Homeowner
Brian McCann
as Justice of the Peace
Kevin Hurley
as Norman
Brian Blondell
as Toy Store Clerk
Grady Hutt
as Jeremy Anderson
Jonathan Lavan
as Funeral Director
Diane Dorsey
as Head Teller
Jennifer Chada
as FBI Technician
Tony Fitzpatrick
as New House Neighbor
Tony Mockus Jr.
as FBI Agent
Letitia Hicks
as Woman Customer
Eric Young
as Chris's Lawyer
Carlton Miller
as Prosecutor
Fred Stone
as Judge
Rich Wilkie
as Markey
Linda Perlin
as Rivas
Stacy Logan
as Becker
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Critic Reviews for Normal Life

All Critics (10) | Top Critics (2)

The most confrontational and most inclusive work of McNaughton's career

Apr 17, 2005 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…
Film Freak Central

Perry gives a confronting, eerie performance

Mar 23, 2005 | Rating: 3/5
Moviehole

recommended only for fans of Judd -- and I think you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Feb 16, 2005 | Rating: 2.5/5
Filmcritic.com
View All Critic Reviews (10)

Audience Reviews for Normal Life

½

Who, besides Sharon Stone, plays an emotionally disturbed woman better than Ashley Judd? No one, and this movie proves that. A strong 2/3 makes up for a muddled last act.

Jeffrey Meyers
Jeffrey Meyers

Super Reviewer

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