Leaving Normal

July 06, 2025

Leaving Normal

Release Date
April 29th, 1992

Directed by

Edward Zwick

Written by

Ed Solomon

Starring

Christine Lahti

Meg Tilly

Patricka Darbo

James Gammon

Trivia

Meg Tilly's sister Jennifer Tilly also appears in the films Bird of Prey, Ray Meets Helen, and Sallywood with Mr. Von Dohlen.

Edward Zwick also worked on the series Thirtysomething.
Production designer Patricia Norris also worked on Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.

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Marianne (Meg Tilly) and Darly (Christine Lahti) meet at a bus stop. One has left her abusive husband the other her dead-end job. Marianne is optimistic and naive, and Darly is outspoken and strong-willed. The two couldn't be more different, but they are perfect for one another, even if they don't always feel that way.

Darly plans to travel to Alaska to claim a house. Marianne draws one of the three cigarettes from Darly's hand to select their path. Her friend tells her it's all up to fate.

When their car is rendered useless, they hitchhike and are picked up by a pair of truckers. One, Leon (Maury Chaykin), is loud and crass while his nephew, Harrison (Lenny Von Dohlen), is a sensitive poet.

After a misunderstanding, the women part ways from the truckers. They meet a nervous redhead named 66 (Patrika Darbo) who accompanies Darly and Marianne for a short while until she meets the man of her dreams. She leaves Darly and Marianne her car and trailer.

They reach Darly's property but are gravely disappointed to find that Darly's ex-husband never finished the house. They stay because they have nowhere else to go. Two young men help the women clean the area.

Things begin to look up: Darly and Marianne get jobs in town. Marianne's ex sends the ring and other items as she requested, and to her delight, she also receives a letter from Harry Rainey. Darley warns Marianne about giving her heart to him. Despite her reservations, Darly mails Marianne's reply.

Marianne tells Darly that this seems different, this place chose her. After losing her job and enduring a traumatic experience, Darly refuses to see anything positive about Alaska. Despite Marianne's attempts to make her see reason, Darly leaves, making Marianne despondent. In Darly's absence, Harrison visits a saddened Marianne, brightening her mood.

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Streaming Availability

Leaving Normal is not officially available on any streaming platforms. It is available on VHS, Laserdisc and DVD.

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