my brief thoughts on.... 'Awful Normal'

it's a sad number of children who've been molested.... and an even sadder number of those who've never reported it or were ignored by their parents or guardians.... so many people have gotten away with destroying the lives of others, only to keep doing it and doing it without them ever being brought to justice.... this documentary focuses on a families journey to confront the man who molested the two daughters and was never held accountable for it.... it was instead swept under the rug by a casual attitude towards the issue in the 70's.... one of the women came up with the idea and is the one who set up the whole plan and made the decision that this was the way she was finally going to be able to get on with her life and have some resolution.... granted, it would never make it go away.... but it would release the ghosts of her past....

when the two sisters in the family were in their preteens, the best friend of the family took advanage of his situation of being so trusted and molested each of the girls seperately.... the details are brought to light to the family of this man and are revealed to us the audience.... this is merely the set up for the time when the two sisters and their mom confront the man.... and demand answers....
this is not an easy film to watch.... it's heart wrenching to see what these women have gone through, especially the primary filmaker.... she's by far the most damaged.... and to hear them tell the story of what happened from their own lips as well as the lips of their molester is horrific.... i've know victims of molestation and i'm sure there are more out there who've just not admitted it.... and perhaps this may not be a movie i would recommend that everyone watch.... due to the subject matter.... and may cause some viewers to relive something they don't want to.... or perhaps it will bring some closure to them.... or maybe allow them to have the courage to do the same thing the filmaker did.... therefore, you have been warned....

i gave it 3 out of 5 stars.... although i think it's hard to rate something like this.... it's not about watching something to be entertained.... it's about something so much deeper.... so i just gave it something generic.... it's a well put together documentary and thought provoking.... and that's all i have to say about that.

there is nothing like this i've ever seen.