Anyone lucky enough to read Sally Rooney’s Normal People can say they have experienced love before, even if only for a few page turns. Anyone who hasn’t…fear not.
The United Kingdom saw it first on April 26, 2020, unknowingly getting many people through the Covid pandemic only a short time later. Rooney’s complex characters and page turning storytelling have made it to the big screen through twelve captivating half-hour episodes.
Normal People is not like other love stories. It is not cliche. Marianne (played by Daisy Edgar Jones) and Connell (Paul Mescal) prove that young love isn’t easy–it’s the exact opposite in fact. It’s awkward, and often during intimate scenes can make you squeamish, but it manages to sneak its way into the hollow of your bones. It makes you realize that you too are too loud, but also too quiet, and awkward, and moody, and entirely head over heels in love.
The novel is about two young people, Marianne and Connell, and their growing into adulthood. It is simplistic, moody, messy, and very normal. There is no beginning, middle, and end, just as there isn’t in regular lives. Each day they discover new things about each other, for better and for worse, but they continue to revolve around each other like planets.
Picture Ireland’s beautiful rolling hills and grassy fields, misty waves crashing against boulders and cliffs are taken directly from the page. Lenny Abrahamson and Hettie Macdonald direct Rooney’s novel in a way that is rarely seen in cinema.
Not only is the plot and cinematography to die for, but the choice of casting is impeccable too. Marianne is described in the book as an incredibly intelligent student who stays true to herself, yet reserved from years of abuse from her father and brother. She has crooked teeth and neat hair in her youth. With time she transforms into a wild, scribbling, college woman.
This was portrayed perfectly by Daisy Edgar-Jones. She also dominated her roles in Twisters (2024), Where the Crawdad Sings (2022), and On Swift Horses (2024). Marianne was often described as “unattractive” throughout the novel, so Edgar-Jones wears minimal makeup and modest clothing throughout the film.
She has Marianne’s crooked teeth and somber resting face. She has a quiet composure to her while acting that simply radiates Marianne. Edgar-Jones performs especially well during intimate scenes. Unlike most women, Marianne doesn’t perform during intimacy. She is sure of herself and her worth even if she doesn’t believe it is much. Connell is captivated by her because of his lack of that.
Connell is played by the talented Paul Mescal who also played roles in Aftersun (2022), All Of Us Strangers (2023), and Gladiator II (2024). He took on this role with an iron fist though it is a difficult one. Connell is a character that takes much digesting to understand. He is not a villain, but he isn’t necessarily a saint either.
He makes many mistakes throughout the story which leaves him in difficult situations, dragging Marianne with him. Mescal is able to adapt to his characters growing and changing with an effortless ease. It also helps that he and Daisy Edgar-Jones have a chemistry that is undeniable on and off screen. It’s entirely possible that the two of them managed to carry pieces of Marianne and Connell’s passion with them even after filming.
Nothing about this film asks for attention, but receives it anyway. There is a short scene in the first episode where Connell sits beside Marianne on the bus coming home from a Rugby match which sums up this idea perfectly. There is no dialogue and barely any music during this scene, but there is a mutual understanding between the characters that they care for each other–even if they are uncertain why.
There’s that same quiet during intimate scenes. Most productions drown intimacy out with vibrant colors and upbeat music, but Normal People almost embraces that awkwardness. There is a scene in episode two where Mariannes bra gets stuck on her chest. The film makers kept the camera rolling as the characters giggled and fussed with the fabric. Rooney is bringing an end to unrealistic intimacy expectations. She’s embracing the normal in people, and that is something worth cherishing.
Sally Rooney’s Normal People is easily one of the best adapted series ever aired. It shows a sense of truth that most people are afraid to admit. We are not all made beautiful. Love is certainly not always easy. It’s full of more “I’m sorry”’s and forgiveness than ever anticipated. It takes time. Rooney portrays this through a complex and beautifully written novel, lighting up screens with everything that is lovely about it. Through Marianne and Connell she proves that living is awkward, and messy, and so incredibly normal.
Ellise Valdes • Nov 8, 2024 at 9:41 am
This was beautifully written and made me want to read the book and watch the show! Your descriptive and passionate language is captivating, and I love how you highlight the idea that the show’s simplicity is what makes it beautiful, just the simplicity in our own lives can be beautiful.
Anna Colombai • Nov 8, 2024 at 9:33 am
Stella, this was an absolutely stunning article. I wasn’t too excited to have to read some article for an English assignment, but I’m really glad I came across yours because you had me hooked from the first sentence. I have this book collecting dust on my shelves, so would you recommend the book over the show? or should I take on both?
Taylor DeRoller • Oct 7, 2024 at 11:33 am
Stella, as your first article this is nothing short of beautiful, where passion is radiated through your words. “Nothing about this film asks for attention but receives in anyways”.. sheds light on the intimacy of the show and how fans adore it for what it is, not because it’s popular.