Leaving Normal (1992)

25% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
60% of users liked it
(803 ratings)

Meg Tilly and Christine Lahti star in this female buddy story that recalls the earlier Thelma and Louise. Marianne (Meg Tilly) is a quiet waif who has just walked out on her abusive husband. Darly (Christine Lahti) is a brassy waitress who was a ballsy stripper using the stage name Pillow Talk.… More Meg Tilly and Christine Lahti star in this female buddy story that recalls the earlier Thelma and Louise. Marianne (Meg Tilly) is a quiet waif who has just walked out on her abusive husband. Darly (Christine Lahti) is a brassy waitress who was a ballsy stripper using the stage name Pillow Talk. Darly is on her way to Alaska to claim a home being built for her and return to the family she abandoned eighteen years earlier. The two women run into each other and Darly allows Marianne to tag along as they journey to Alaska. On the way, they met a collection of colorful characters, including a strange-talking waitress named 66 (Patrika Darbo), and Walt (James Gammon), a road guy who recognizes Darly as the former Pillow Talk and wants to pay her big money for sex. The women finally make it to Alaska, where Darly finds that the house she was expecting to find has never been built. The two set up in a house trailer and, with the Alaskian wilderness as a backdrop, they begin to reevaluate their lives. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By: David Wagreich, Edward Zwick
Genres: Drama, Comedy

On DVD: Sep 17, 1992
Studio: MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Bittersweet comedy about two hurt women who heal each other after finding a place they can call home.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Red L

Two misfits decide to go on a trip to Alaska to find something better. I guess I am a sucker for this type of feel-good film
Leigh R

It was okay.

Cast

            Christine Lahti as Darly Peters

            Meg Tilly as Marianne Johnson

            Patrika Darbo as 66

            Lenny von Dohlen as Harrison

            James Gammon as Walt

            Maury Chaykin as Leon "Crazy-As" Pendleton

            Eve Gordon as Emily Singer

            Brett Cullen as Kurt

            Rutanya Alda as Palmer Hospital Nurse

            Ken Angel as Nuqaq

            Sam Bob as Delivery Guy

            Ahnee Boyce as Izuzu Judy

            Ashlee Buhler as Young Marianne

            Ruby Cox as Woman

            John Bear Curtis as Michael

            Darrell Dennis as Clyde

            Jenny Drugan as Young Emily

            James Eckhouse as Rich Singer

            John Ferreira as Colin James Band Member

            Trisha Gagnon as Tumbleweed Band Member

            Thomas Heaton as Alec

            Richard Hopkins as Colin James Band Member

            Paul Jarrett as Charlie

            Andrew Johnston as Nearest Guy

            Darryl Layne as Topless Dancer

            Marc Levy as Dave

            Dennis Marcenko as Colin James Band Member

            Darrell Mayes as Colin James Band Member

            Brenda McDonald as Motel Clerk

            Colin James Munn as Colin James Band Member

            Lachlan Murdoch as Marshall

            Mariane O'Brien as Clara

            Deirdre O'Connell as Ellen

            Ben Ratner as Next Nearest Guy

            Barbara Russell as Izuzu Mother

            Dave Schryver as Tumbleweed Band Member

            Robyn Simons as Sarah

            Desmond Smiley as Minister

            Julie Taggart as Twelve-Year-Old Girl

            Gordon Tipple as Danny

            Gordon Tootoosis as Hank Amaruk

            Timothy Webber as Spicy's Friend

            Cathy-Anne Whitworth as Tumbleweed Band Member

            Peter Anderson as Spicy

            Ed Solomon as Jerk in Bar

            Ray Godshall Jr. as Mort

            Mary Colquhoun
            
            Paul Stanley as Man Customer

            Dana Stevens as Marianne's Mother

            Rob Morton as Bartender
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