I started looking at the film Act Normal in a rather gloomy mood. I was tired en did not know what to expect. I was a bit worried also that I might not like the film. So I started looking at it in a rather skeptical state of mind. The beginning is not an easy one, but it took me just a few seconds to get in the story and into the mood. From there onward the film has really touched me and has continually moved me. The music is wonderful. The film felt like a warm embrace to me, it made me calm and feel good. It's soft like a woman's kiss, it's like an ointment for the hurt soul. The structure jumps back and forth, but makes sense.
What is more important: after having seen the trailer so many times I did not know what to think of the main character. Was he honest or was he pulling our leg? After having seen the film I really like the man: I feel his uncertainty and I am convinced he's a 100 % pure and honest. That's the biggest achievement of this film for me... you managed to bring me into the soul of a fascinating person. I now understand his feelings and deeds. Not an easy thing to do, and the filmmakers did just that. By the way... I love the reconstructions and the dream/hope sequences with the astronaut. Great cinema.
The only remark I would make is that I have the impression that there are too many endings. However, by the end of the film I was under time pressure and maybe that's why I got this impression. This is not traditional editing in the film, but it's contemporary editing that functions very well.
A fascinating film.
