Norman

Norman Long (Dan Byrd) is a dissatisfied high school kid. He lost his mother and his father Doug (Richard Jenkins) is dying from cancer. He falls for new student Emily Harris (Emily VanCamp) and she's taken with his awkwardness. His teacher Mr. Angelo (Adam Goldberg) is forcing him to do a speech. He has a fight with his best friend James and tells him a crazy lie. Soon everybody at school thinks he has cancer.

I like Dan Byrd as an awkward sarcastic teen and Emily VanCamp is super cute. They're a little old to play high school kids but they could still pass. I like their sweet cute relationship and then there is the lie. It's such a weird thing to say. I wish the script adds more of a prompt for Norman to go to that place. Maybe James should ask if he's sick. Maybe James could find the scans first. I just need him to be guided there a little more. The other problem is that he's lying to Emily. Emily already likes him before the lie. The lie doesn't make her like him more. It just makes everything awkward. It would make more sense that he would tell her the truth. Of course, Norman doesn't have to make sense.

Schlocky over done awkward teenagers in school routine...that goldberg guy is terrible as a teacher and even worse as a person...the only redeeming value this film shows is the adorable emily vancamp...i'm sure she sparkles in everything she does...people that gave this film venture a high rating were either investors or related family...if the lead guy playing norman was funny, i didn't laugh for a good reason, he wasn't funny...

Director Jonathan Segal did an excellent job creating this film. I recently saw this at Whitworth, in Spokane, WA where the film was shot, and I really enjoyed it. Jonathan Segal was kind enough to do a question and answer bit at the showing, which was very insightful. I really liked how the film was a little 'darker' than others covering similar story lines. The movie really captures the raw feelings and emotions that are dealt in the story line. The actors did an incredible job in capturing each characters' persona. Dan Byrd, Emily VanCamp, Richard Jenkins, and Adam Goldberg were all great picks for their characters. I would highly recommend this film to others, especially if you liked Easy A and Juno. I also have to mention how Andrew Bird's score on this film was crazy good.

No matter your age, if Norman doesn't make you remember your own high school years it's time to pull out that old yearbook.

Mine were painful, though less so than his, and I laughed and cried with him along his journey from self disgust and boyhood to self respect and manhood. Never an easy task, Norman takes tough subjects and presents them with a strange combination of charm, dignity and sarcasm. Somehow it all works, and works beautifully. I'm not sure I've ever seen a more moving but tasteful, no cheap tricks, handling of love and loss. I highly recommend it to kids of all ages (17 and older of course given the R rating). And I'll be watching for more from this extremely talented creative team.

Also, I'll be seeing this one again...

colleen1011 AKA Colleen Shannon

I recently saw this film at the Chicago International Film Festival and I was blown away by it. Dan Byrd did a fantastic job playing the title character who is both hilarious as well as heart breaking. Richard Jenkins, as always, is great and witty. This is just an all around wonderful film. I can liken it most to the adult male version of Juno or Easy A. It has Juno's wit, charm, and strangeness as well as Easy A's basic story line (though much darker). Andrew Birds score to this film is perfect. I don't think anyone could have made a more suitable score for this film. If it seems like I am gushing about this film, it's because I am. It deserves it. If it comes to a festival near you or is eventually widely released be sure to go and see it. I can't recommend it enough.