The title might make one think of finding what is normal. However, there is a double meaning in that title. The town in the movie is named Normal. A big city doctor, Lisa Leland (Candace Cameron Bure), discovers Normal when she is pulled over for speeding through the place and ends up having to spend several days there. She is truly taken by surprise by the slow-paced, caring for each other, lifestyle she finds in Normal.
In my own world, the holidays always make me feel like I have so much extra to do that I end up speeding through my normal day, perhaps missing some of the things that are most important in life, like special hugs or catching up with each other through normal everyday chats. This year, I never seemed to find time to drive around and look at the Christmas lights, which is one of my favorite things to do during the holiday season. By racing around and "doing", I didn't make time to do some of the things I enjoy the most.
The theme of the movie is based on how it is so easy to get wrapped up in making a living that we forget to make a life. In my case, by trying to make Christmas be our "normal" traditional Christmas, I missed a lot of the real daily beauty of Christmastime.
As we embark upon the new year, may we all stop and consider what is really most important in life and make sure we embrace it. Some of us, just may need to find a new "normal".
Finding Normal
Finding NormalCheck PriceDr. Lisa Leland has everything by world standards. She is leaving Los Angeles to join her doctor-boyfriend in a boutique practice 3000 miles away in The Hamptons as concierge doctors (doctors who get paid well to be on call to a limited number of wealthy patients). She is driving her BMW to New York because "it has to get there somehow". She quickly finds out that driving 90 mph through Normal (population 321) is going to get a reaction from the local sheriff. When Officer Lester O'Toole discovers she has 23 parking tickets and a warrant out for her arrest, he has to take her before the town judge.
Appearing in court gives us all a quick view of what Normal is like and how "behind the times" they are. When Lisa can't come up with $2000 to pay her tickets & fines, the judge orders 24 hrs, 8 hours a day, of community service in lieu of the money.
Dr. Leland has a very condescending attitude toward the locals. That seems to be based on her "higher" education as well as the inconvenience of having to spend days in this rural town, which has put her in a bad mood. The town people are obviously accustomed to visitors and their assumptions. Most of them seem to take her condescension in stride and try hard to be kind to her. However, after she calls Lucas, "Jethro", and talks to him like he is an imbecile, he wishes her a nice day and moves on. When they see each other later at the judge's home for dinner, they start bickering with one another. As the movie progresses, his "$5 charm and $10 smile" starts to grow on her. Actually, the entire town of Normal starts to appeal to Lisa, but her life is set in a different direction.
This movie reminds us that not every path in life is set in stone.
Where to Watch "Finding Normal"
I watched Finding Normal on the Pure Flix subscription streaming channel. Pure Flix offers movies and shows that are suitable for the whole family and are often Christian based movies. They are owned by Great American Media.
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Finding Normal sounds like an absolutely delightful movie. Often, in the busy-ness of life, we forget to slow down enough to notice what is truly important. This sounds like a movie with a message in that direction. Thanks for telling me about it, Mouse. I look forward to viewing it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendation. Certainly sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteI’m so sorry that this holiday was so hard for you, Mouse, with the passing of your beloved Merlin. I’m also grateful that this movie provided a much-needed message and hope it gave you some comfort along with perspective. Thanks so much for the recommendation. Wishing you peace and joy in 2025!
ReplyDeleteI would love to watch this film. The theme of the movie being we can get so "wrapped up in making a living that we forget to make a life." is very poignant. I love how the film addresses this message of slowing down to appreciate all the little things along the way. Thank you for your recommendation. Wishing you a beautiful, peaceful New Year.
ReplyDeleteCynthia, I know I would enjoy this movie - it actually sounds quite familiar as well. I like the premise of this movie too, and it sounds like the perfect movie to settle in for a quiet night.
ReplyDeleteI remember watching this moving. Thanks for the recap; it brought back fond memories. I'll put this one on my radar so that I can watch it again.
ReplyDeleteOh this sounds like a fun movie to watch. Important reminders to enjoy life in all it's stages is something we never hear enough! I'm sure many people could relate and would love to spend sometime in a place called Normal!
ReplyDelete