Ashley Jones Is Perfectly Normal (2021) Poster

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The debate, is it 'normalcy' or 'normality?'
TxMike18 August 2022
We found this movie on Amazon streaming. The trailer looked very interesting. My wife lasted about 15 minutes, it was too quirky for her. I stuck with it and enjoyed it. Some scenes, like the table in the restaurant were perfectly symmetrical, the filming and some of the dialog reminded me of some scenes in Wes Anderson movies.

The star is Hana Yuka Sano as Ashley Jones, a perfectly normal California TV reporter, married to a perfectly normal man, every week for six years they ate at the same restaurant, seated at the same table, and he always had a tenderloin cooked medium with three potatoes. She always had pasta with marinara, no meatballs.

All this 'normalcy' (or is it 'normality'?) is to set up the rest of the movie. One morning Ashley wakes up without her usual California accent, instead she has a Japanese accent, for no reason. Things happen as a result, her husband leaves, her job is in jeopardy, she is self-conscious about her condition. (There is a real condition, 'foreign accent syndrome', commonly caused by a sudden damage to the brain.)

So the quirky story has one aim, that is to accept yourself and if life gives you surprises just go with them. I didn't have much success finding anything about Hana Yuka Sano but it appears that she is a Japanese-American actress, so her 'foreign' accent is probably pretty real. If you look closely at her mouth movements when speaking in California accent you see a slight lack of synchronization, and in the end credits, another voice actress is credited with Ashley's California accent. Clever film making.
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2/10
Not good
kymtymnus20 July 2022
I disliked this film. I read a description of it prior to watching it but still did not get it even with these hints. Most of the acting was not good. The lead actress was okay. I wonder whether I am unsophisticated or something when others lauded this film and I hated it. It is like someone gushing over a piece of abstract art because others gushed. I will gush if I am moved, however, there was no movement here. Finally, I don't get the significance of the 500,000 year old woman or the Japanese accent malady to the plot. Too weird.
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1/10
If you have always wondered what Amelie Poulain gone wrong could have looked like...
marietxu29 November 2021
Or Pushing Daisies, or The Crazy Ex Girlfriend.

The entire time I was watching the movie, I couldn't help but to think about those 3 references. Unfortunately, we are faaaar away from this level, for the following reasons:
  • The acting is terrible, so much so that the main actress sometimes forget to act like the condition she has.


  • The storyline makes absolutely no sense- well actually there is none from the moment she has her diagnosis.


  • It is not cute, nor funny, or teaching you anything, or making you think about anything.


  • The scenes where she is imagining things (hello crazy ex girlfriends fans) are too long, too lousy, then end up being the reality...? They lost me more than once on those stuff.


I have watched it a few days ago and I am still sitting here, wondering: what was this movie about? If you are adventurous, go watch and find out. If not, please spare yourself 90 minutes of your life time.
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7/10
Perfectly Familiar
atw-3557126 November 2021
Ashley Jones is Perfectly Normal is a movie about accepting what makes you different and what others may see as flaws, and flourishing despite all of the obstacles that may arise because of those differences. The tasteful race humor and moments of elegant writing bring a relatability desperately needed for a film such as this to work. Despite stumbling through pacing and formatting at some points, Ashley Jones is Perfectly Normal manages to craft an enjoyable family experience that both entertains and presents an important theme.
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10/10
Brilliant acting and story line !!!
raringler-6393027 November 2021
Ashley Jones Is Perfectly Normal is a very complex storyline touching upon a plethera of Contemporary issues like stereotypes, racism, intolerance, assimilation, intolerance, discrimination and the dangers of not believing in your inner self, There were subtleties like the town's name being "Santa Norma" that Larry's potato winds up being the .............. That was was a very nice touch.

Yuka Sano the female lead was extremely good portraying Ashley Joes. Convincingly portraying the courage of conscience.

I will watch this again as I probably missed something on the 1st viewing.

This a most enjoyable film to watch.
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10/10
A fun film to watch
serenityallencia28 November 2021
This film is relatable as it conveys a deep message about identity and individuality through a quirky story. From the whimsical music to the candid narration, Ashley Jones is Perfectly Normal contains a light hearted energy and a type of comedy that can be enjoyed by most. Having laugh-out-loud moments involving a predictable waiter to Ashley Jones tasking herself with obtaining numbers from party strangers, this movie can classify itself as positively playful. The characters are uniquely comedic as they cleverly represent what conformity looks like in today's society. To include, Ashley Jones is a breath of fresh air as it provides more representation by having a Japanese lead actress.
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10/10
A very refreshing comedy
pierreyeh27 November 2021
Ashley Jones is Perfectly Normal is a refreshing comedy, full of humor and some reflections on what is a normal life.

Hana Yuka Sano shines in her first leading role. I would recommend to anyone looking for a very entertaining comedy.
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10/10
Far from "Normal"
arpartin-4924529 November 2021
Life isn't about being perfect. Or normal. Or perfectly normal. Just ask Ashley Jones. After waking up with a bizarre, yet hilarious case of "foreign accent syndrome", our heroine embarks upon a strangely-relatable quest for happiness and self-worth. Everyone is different and thus, everyone has their own version of normal. And that version of normal is what adds color and joy to our lives. It's what makes us valuable in a world that pressures us to bland in and play it safe. Oh, I meant "blend".

Writer Kevin Stock and Director Thomas Bangert present a comedy that will elicit both laughter and contemplation from their audience. And Hana Yuka Sano's performance as Ashley is charming, yet brilliantly complex.

From Ashley's strange "malady" to meeting a 500,000 year old woman, to bantering with the sassy narrator (also voiced by Stock), this film is far from normal. It's different. And that's what makes it so wonderful.
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9/10
Fun film!
honeybeesgala6 December 2021
This is a story about Ashley and how she suddenly becomes "not normal". The resulting situation is full of conflict and takes you through a range of emotions. Hana Yuka Sano, who plays Ashley, artfully conveys the character's sensitivity and beauty and her performance draws the viewer in.
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9/10
Original movie
ayamakita6 December 2021
I laughed a lot watching this film. I strongly recommend this film if you are looking for something new, original, and unique film.

The leas actress Hana Yuka Sano was believable and director Thomas Bangert and writer Kev Stock did a great job!
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10/10
Well-written and Well-Acted
ryangoldstein-6429316 December 2021
I love movies that ask and address interesting questions but do so in a way that don't take themselves too seriously. You can actually watch this as a cute movie or force yourself to think about what it is to be "normal" these days. The writing was great--I like breaking down the fourth wall. The acting by Hana Yuka Sano and Marc Hermann was also great. Hana has a very hard task--act as yourself not acting as yourself. She brings the light moments to life but also shows the frustration of not being who you think you are or want to be.
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9/10
The joy of independant film making
chrismeehanbrothers16 February 2022
This isnt Speilberg. Thank God. Of course Speilberg is a genius and a master. But When I come across a gem like this, it encourages me to see the access of smaller film makers to get their voice and stories out. The premise is profound and abundantly wierd and really funny. Keep making these stories . Thank you for getting me to think and most important laugh. Smart and funny.
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10/10
Hoorah for comedies
stock-8292913 February 2022
A family friendly comedy for a change! We attended the Hollywood premiere of this movie and the audience found it very humorous and entertaining! Loved it!
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10/10
You will laugh!!
xdrdqnjq14 February 2022
Ashley Jones is perfectly normal is beyond clever. I have not laughed out loud while watching a movie in a long time! The writing is brilliant and keeps you wondering what will happen next! The movie makes you think and provides many opportunities for great conversation topics. The narration of the movie brings it all together leaving you to chuckle at the witty ending. This is a must watch!!
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9/10
Makes you laugh, Makes you think.
Saloniiii19 June 2022
Very entertaining and leaves you with questions to ponder upon. The pace is a little difficult to keep up with since it is ever changing and the plot is unpredictable but I loved how creatively they expressed internal monologues under stress and the cognitive distortions that a person has within themselves. Makes you wonder about how we get so intensely worked up about significantly small problems and changes in our lives. The whole idea of sense of self and how the main character struggles with redefining her identity while trying to fit into the identity others defined for her is an interesting internal conflict to watch. The parallelism between "normal" things and freedom of choice is very strong and makes you question the idea of what normal really means.

Overall the plot is unique and makes you think about how we shape our identities around people's expectations, and the pace of story telling is very creative and interesting. Very interesting and fun.
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10/10
Great Movie
mirandayacynych13 February 2022
An amazing written movie. It has a great sense of humor, and the storyline is like no other! It breaks the norm of stereotypes. It will keep you on your toes and it will not disappoint!
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10/10
A Funny, Fresh And Innovative Comedy
lucasvincent-6769613 February 2022
An original style of comedic writing, editing and acting in this unique film. A lot of quirky characters and odd situations combined with a very meta narration make for quite a hilarious adventure experienced by the lead actresses and their bumbling co workers.
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10/10
Unique and Fun
renaeclites13 February 2022
What a hilarious and unique movie! The writing is superb, and the narrator has the perfect narrating voice. Everyone I was with enjoyed the movie and I would highly suggest that you watch it.
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10/10
A Real Think Piece
slvrsfr-8334214 February 2022
Stunning portrait of a corrupt mind. The lead actor brings to life an affliction of monumental distortion. The humor is sarcastically biting, but not surprising having seen previous offerings from the writer of this foray into the human psychy. Bravo Kev! Keep on trucking compadre.
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10/10
Perfectly Joyful
lisamariesummerscales10 March 2022
Ashley Jones is such a fun, surprising and hilarious movie.

I absolutely loved the whimsical quality. The Narration was perfect and had me laughing out loud with the point of view they provided. I fell in love with this movie and would recommend it to anyone looking for a movie to warm the heart and think outside the box. Fantastic direction and beautiful cinematography!
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10/10
Unique & creative
qteapieqteapie26 February 2022
A family friendly movie that is quirky and fun to watch. Challenges your perception of what normal is... or what you think it should be. Well written with sarcastic humor that was right up my alley. Loved the narration and the clever ending too. Would definitely watch again. It does not disappoint.
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10/10
Outstanding comedy and heart fully movie
mika-8499929 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Ashley Jones always follows her normal life with her boyfriend, however, her life suddenly has been changed due to language syndrome.

Everybody experienced normal life change, it's hard to get through.

Ashley told us how to survive and seek true things for ourselves.

Leading actress, Hana Yuka Sano, her performance is totally amazing, I really enjoyed her acting.

Other casts are amazing too, I can say this movie is not only comedy but also we can seek deeply down who we are.

One more thing, music and narration are easy to catch my heart, I wanted to sing a song after watching this movie.

I strongly recommend this move for fun!!!
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