My Normal (2009) User Reviews

"My Normal" is trying to redefine normal

[napierslogs · 5/10 · 17 January 2011]

Normal for Natalie (Nicole LaLiberté) is working as a dominatrix, fulfilling men's sexual fantasies, and hanging out with her lesbian co-workers going to shady bars and wearing risqué clothes. The film's title and description makes it sound like it's about Natalie's struggle to get her "normal" in line with society's "normal" as she adjusts to a more customary job in the film industry. Instead, I found it just to be a highlight reel for her lifestyle.

What I liked about "My Normal" is that they aspired to make an original film, they refused to be pigeon-holed by what society deems as acceptable, and the main actress Nicole LaLiberté was great. LaLiberté was incredibly sexy and is likely to become a formidable actress. The film would have been served better if they were able to compare normal for me with Natalie's normal, and showing her having real struggles juggling a more customary lifestyle with her dominatrix one, rather than just the cliché "my girlfriend doesn't love me anymore" drama. These filmmakers appear to be smart enough to recognize that 20-something women do concern themselves with more than just their love life, so they should have showed me that.

"My Normal" more than lives up to its R-rating. If you didn't get enough erotic lesbian sex scenes in "Black Swan", you'll find them here. Another positive for the film is that it shares "Black Swan"'s striking makeup and costumes. It is definitely not for the conservative film-viewer, but "My Normal" might be worth a look for those who like female erotica in edgy films that try to redefine "normal".

needs more drama

[SnoopyStyle · 4/10 · 21 May 2016]

Natalie works as a S&M dominatrix in New York. Her mother complains that she's wasting her psychology degree. She wants to be a filmmaker. She befriends the local weed delivery dealer Noah and starts dating Jasmine. When she finally gets on a movie set, it's in an underwhelming experience. She uses her unusual talent to make her movie a reality.

Despite the edgy shell of the lesbian dominatrix world, the interior is nothing too dramatic. The story is thin and short. There are a couple of interesting ideas and scenes. Nicole LaLiberte and Ty Jones are functional actors. There is simply not enough meat on the bones. This needs more work on the script if it intends to be a full feature.

Disappointing

[toz451 · 4/10 · 28 June 2020]

Well, if you like porn film acting without the porn, this movie is for you. Not terribly interesting characters or plot. Not very sexy either. Actually, a couple of the actors were decent, but not enough to save it.

Makes My List -- The Wrong One

[kim-o-connor · 1/10 · 12 March 2013]

The greatest redeeming quality of My Normal is that it's so awful it becomes fun (I use that term dangerously loosely) to watch. There are so few truly quality movies produced in the lesbian genre, a quote from a genuinely good movie comes to mind, and forgive me for paraphrasing: (Audiences are|) so thirsty for it they'll crawl through the desert toward a mirage, and when they discover there's no water, they'll drink the sand." The LGBT audience too often praises movies that in the mainstream would be considered unwatchable. When crumbs are all you get, you learn to appreciate even the most indigestible morsels.

The acting here, with the exception of Nicole LaLiberte and Ty Jones, is routinely atrocious. Other actors here simply act as set dressing for the leads. But the producers seem set on damning even their lead character by constantly placing a lit cigarette in her hand. The problem? She so obviously doesn't smoke, she looks like a 12-year old playing at grown-up. Ty Jones, playing a street-wise writer, is given such an astonishingly lack of vocabulary you wonder how he ever wrote a page of dialogue.

It's probably a good idea to have some vague knowledge of the content about which you write a script, but that doesn't stop anyone here. This film's projected as an erotic romp, but with the exception of a single scene or two, it's as innocuous as any prime-time show. Unless, of course, you define erotic as dildos sitting on counters, tables, chairs and stools.

There are few redeeming qualities in the script. The dialogue is actually laughable; see if you can get through an hour and 15 without talking back to the screen. Emotion is non-existent. The answer to stress relief, stress, employment and social lubrication is drugs. And what exceedingly few plot lines are interesting are never followed to their end. This film would much rather go for a broad laugh, yet it misses over and over. Truly, people from all walks of life should be offended by this movie.

There should be more LGBT content out there; God knows there's an audience. But of what does exist, there are scores of better choices than this self-satisfied "comedy."

The Power of ...

[kosmasp · 6/10 · 2 April 2022]

Love? Or women? Or I guess individuals in general. I am not really into what the main character is doing professionally. That being said, the way it is portrayed and the way she plays it, are really well done. 50 shades of Grey could learn a thing or two from this - no pun intended.

One of the major downfalls however is the story of her new lover. Yes there is a theme of lesbian love to say the least. But much more than just that "taste", if you want to call it that. This will not be for the easily offended and those who are triggered by the smallest things probably shouldn't watch at all. There is not so much viscerally to see here, but just when things are being said ... well even I felt sick to my stomache on certain things - imagine those things being played out ... not saying if they are actually.

So back to the love interest who has a really tough role to fill - not well written and quite cliche to say the least. And a lot of drama that feels more than unnecessary - on the other hand, we all deal in different ways about certain things ... so not saying it is unlikely for someone to feel that way ... just saying it is not playing out well - or shown in a fashion that works for the movie ... it kinda puts it down ... no pun intended.

Test your limits, if you like independent movies, with strong female leads that don't really care, what is what ... well not entirely caring that is.

This film is eye-opening, clever, and all around artistic.

[weinsteinbecky · 10/10 · 18 June 2011]

People have been, and will continue to watch movies for various reasons. Some crave an action packed film to compensate for the lack of action in their own lives, some watch romance to believe that they will be swept off their feet. Some people watch educational films to widen their horizons, and many simply want to be entertained. Somewhere along the line people forgot the true power of film; the power to capture, and portray a world that the viewer might never understand otherwise. My Normal does exactly that. Through a great script, artistic editing, and a talented cast My Normal engages the viewer and allows them to see an underground world through the eyes of someone who understands it. The movie was sexy, clever, extremely funny, and eye opening. More people need to see this movie with an open mind that allows them to understand its true purpose. Loved it!

Not enough thumbs up!

[soapfan1983 · 10/10 · 24 June 2011]

"My Normal" is the perfect title for this movie. Another reviewer stated this movie should have been compared to the normal of every day people as opposed to the normal of a Dominatrix. I disagree, this movie was about Natalie's normal. Which is, she is a lesbian, and a Dominatrix. Her life revolves around finding her place while loving her job that most people find odd.

Living in New York city and being in the scene, I see a lot of Dominatrix's who struggle to find their place in life. Whether it be being a Dominatrix, or whatever they struggle to find happiness. This movie does a great job of exploiting this. It really was an amazing film. It kept me highly entertained. I definitely recommend this film to those who find themselves struggling to find their place in a world that society will most likely never fully understand. Whether it does or doesn't this film does an excellent job at portraying what is normal in a world that is not understand.

My Normal - Insanely engaging movie

[christiecalahan · 10/10 · 9 July 2011]

I have seen this movie three times in the past 7 days. Besides being sexy and full of eye candy, it is simply off-the-hook weird and intensely entertaining. From a hot lesbian's perspective, you see the thrilling addictive side of being an S&M dominatrix. The adrenaline rush from sex power can become someone's "normal" life but unhappy consequences obviously stem from this cycle long term. It's a wild ride watching the main character struggle with her future and discover a promising way out. Aside from the being the hottest date movie ever, there are so many comical, funny lines sprinkled throughout the script. There were also points that get deeply philosophical, and I believe this is based on a true story. I can't imagine anyone could make this up which is why this flick is such a trip.

I just watched this on Amazon

[juanmuscle · 10/10 · 31 October 2021]

New to Amazon and it seems pretty cool! I just hit on whatever without trying to read too much on the synopsis and or trailer , since we can all opt out of the thing at any time if we don't like it! I was watching that Zack's Apocalyptic Heist movie but man I coudln't get into it, there was nothign wrong with it I just felt bored or like I was at a grocery store listening to some second hand idle palaver by a couple of boring simpletons or something it was so dull! I don't know what happened here Army of the dead was way fun and cool, so I was expecting the same thing but wait I'm on here, this was well written! It was cool and fun and nice characters I would love to see more of this exact thing! Way to go keeping kicking b! Thanks Amazon for some cool fun indies without you we would of never seen them! Cool thanks.

It's Time!

[EggOrChicken · 8/10 · 3 February 2022]

At the beginning, I was a little worried at it's independent film qualities, but quickly realized it had quality actors, writer's, and directors. I'm sure it was way before it's time back in 2009, but it's time has definitely come!