Joy and I just finished watching a series on Hulu by the above name. It’s about a couple, young couple, set In Ireland. I say youg because I think people of their age experience love differently than we did. Yes, it’s different. No less intense mind you, no less deep, just different. I think this 12 part play was about that difference. At least in part. But mostly it’s about the subtle forces that pull them apart, and bind them together.
Marianne and Connell meet in high school , with all its clicks and groups. Marianne is not part of either, Connell is of both. Marianne is kind of aloof, “smarter than anyone” she says. At least, in her adolescent mind she thinks that. Though she longs for connection, she remains at a distance. We find out why later. Yet they hook up and, because of her unpopularity, keep it a secret from their friends. They think so anyway.
Their relationship is characterized by a deep and tender and strong love. And connection. Rare. And they know it. But the secretiveness leads to distortions of their love, and they eventually break up.
They go back and forth, but it’s the way they do this that’s so fascinating. That’s as much as I’ll tell you of the plot.
There are some scenes in this movie that are simply mind blowing. You just have to see them. It’s affected me deeply. Love… what is love? How does it bind you? Does it bind you? Living apart, is that necessary for a relationship to grow? Or is it destructive?
There is a scene where Connell is with his Therapist… his face just melts in pain and tears for what seems like 5 minutes. I’ve never seen anything like It. Phenomenal acting on both their parts, and others. Powerful story. Life… it’s about life no matter what generations you’re in. I highly recommend it.
Love is everything. It’s everything. Normal People depicts many facets of love. It is devastatingly beautiful. It may haunt you a bit. In a good way. Beauty can do that.