Review of Like Normal People

This is one of my favourite true movies. It's one that I haven't seen in a few years but it left a strong impression on me, and I remember it very well. It's quaint, but it's a strong and effective little drama, and it's such a shame it is almost forgotten. I thought the performances of both Shaun Cassidy and Linda Purl were really good, even if perhaps it was coming across more like they were just playing dumb rather than seeming to be genuinely mentally handicapped. Cassidy as "Roger" may have been mildly slow, but that didn't affect the character's conscience or his feelings about how people regard him. It's shown over the course of the story how he has to overcome torments, obstacles, and eventually the film's main focus becomes he and his love Virginia's fight for their basic entitlement to be together. There are many touching scenes, like one where Roger convinces Virginia to face her fear of swimming, and another where he makes a little moral stand against a prudish woman at the care centre where they live who forbids the couple from kissing. Whoa, regular human behaviour! How dare they! Roger utters the film's title in that part.. I love when movies do that! I also like the part where the black owner of the restaurant where Roger works explains that he gave him a shot at a job because he knows how it feels to be held back by the man! And I must admit, I can't help but chuckle at the two of them at points, I mean you can't not really. She frequently goes more than a little overboard with it and sounds ridiculous, and his buck teeth and overly-deep voice do make him seem awfully silly a lot. Yes I laugh, in fact it's a lot of fun with this movie to laugh at the way its two leads talk, but there's no malice to it. I still care and feel for the characters. And the only "camp" thing about it would have to be the horribly 70's style and tone and pasty look of the picture. But it's still very effectively gets its main point across despite that. Films like this just aren't seen these days, as some of the acting would likely be seen as all insensitive and politically incorrect. The word retarded is casually bandied about a lot, which is kinda weird when you realise it was just a word back then. And why should that matter anyway? I don't think mere words are the problem, but rather the nasty attitudes and prejudices of the bad types you see in this. I think it's very honest and respectful to what life can be like for the mentally disabled, and I appreciate how it doesn't shy away from showing how cruel people can be to them. The film's final scene just sorta fizzles out and it ends on a weak note but it's okay, it doesn't hurt the overall experience. It ain't perfect, and it certainly has its share of cheesy moments, but I've always just found it to be an involving and very uplifting story that leaves you with a hopeful feeling. It has a lot of heart and a valid point to make. One of them no doubt being that special people have the same basic human needs as anyone, such as the desire to love and be loved. These people need kindness and understanding, not jibes and attacks from ignorant-minded shits who are only out to hurt them. The most 'normal' people like you or I could take something from the trials of unfortunate individuals like in this picture. Just maybe this and other films and documentaries with similar themes will encourage some to look further into how they see and act toward those who are unable to have that which most of us take for granted, and who may not be quite as blessed as themselves.