Cinema Lounge Reviews

‘I Used To Be Normal’ is a documentary highlighting the lives of four women around the world whose lives have been altered because of their love and obsessions with boybands. It embarks us on a journey showing us how obsessions may lead to successful careers and create new experiences and possibilities on the way.

Throughout the documentary, we are shown the lives of four women and how they cope with their obsessions for their all-time favourite bands. We are shown the lives of Elif who is 16, Dara who is 33, Sadia who is 25 and Susan who is 64 which is interesting to see how the older generations deal with obsessions compared to the modern-day society. There isn’t really one main storyline as this isn’t classed as a film but more of a documentary but instead keeps going back and forth through the personal and social lives of each girl and how their love for boybands as changed them as they also go through new life experiences alongside their boyband obsessions. Additionally, you can most likely now tell that the documentary is mostly aimed at the women demographics at any age as they will be more able to relate to each of the girls lives growing up. However, I believe that even some men may be able to take something from this as even if they don’t have a love for music they may still be able to take something from this even if it is based around the music industry.

They are something possibly anyone could relate to in here as the girls each in here range in ethnicity, belives, age, careers and personalities as without giving away too much  they is a writer called Sadia who first started a newsletter on her favourite band Backstreet Boys when she was wrong and because of that the skills have now carried over in adulthood and managed to get here a successful career as a writer as she already has some experience of her job. Another example is there is a woman who has chosen a career as a musician because of her life long ambition of meeting her favourite artist on stage Gary Barlow from her favourite band Take That and with that in mind it has made her more determined in her career to reach her goal. It also shows us how of each of the girl’s obsessions have helped them cope with situations in life and also family problems along the way which at points can reach the emotional barrier and feel for the girls and how it has kept them stable and happy.

As well as showing us the obsessions of each girl, we are also given a backstory of their life for each of them which is nice to see as we are able to understand them better. As mentioned before, their love for the music industry as even helped make a successful career of their choice in which they are happy with because of the determination they have taken from it which has lead to them becoming better at their field of work. Not only has this determination been given to them but possibly it may make us think about the overall message and make us more inspired in life as I would definitely call it inspirational all the way through. Not only does it show us the life of them but at one scene we are given an in-depth look of what makes a successful boyband and into the bands, they all know and love too including who they are, what they do and how they started.

The name ‘I Used To Be Normal’ is, in my opinion, a perfectly suited name of the documentary as it proves that the girls’ obsessions are normal to have even if they have taken it to a whole new level at some points. The creators of the documentary have made the content not boring at all as it takes breaks from the interviews now and again and also has a segment of what makes up a good boyband. For each girl included, there is a wide variety of content for them and more or less have the same amount of screen time each so we are less likely to be left with any questions a the end unanswered. Nothing is ever repeated so it never gets boring if you are interested in the music industry.

The overall message of the documentary is that having an obsession is normal to have and should not be stereotyped with the fact that it isn’t as it may in some cases even inspire you in your future life and make you more determined. Another reason for this is that it may also make you a part of a community of people of similar interests and make new friends along with way. Something else you can take from this is that you shouldn’t be anyone you don’t want and just be yourself and do what you want to do. Having obsessions can also be a good thing for people as it is an escape for them from reality and make them happy in what they are doing and stop you from doing this you know you don’t or shouldn’t be doing.