Like Normal People is a TV movie written by Joanna Lee and directed by Harvey Hart, based on the nonfiction book of the same name by Robert Meyers, that aired on ABC on April 13, 1979.
Roger Meyers (Shaun Cassidy) and Virginia Rae Hensler (Linda Purl) are two mentally-disabled adults who meet and fall in love at the institution where they live. They want to marry and live independent lives, but they face resistance from Lloyd Davis (Jack Murdock), a member of the board at the institution. They are helped by social worker Bill Stein (Zalman King) and Roger's older brother Bobby (James Keach).
Like Normal People contains examples of:
- And Starring: After the lead actors and the title, we get "Starring," "Also Starring," and "Special Guest Star Hope Lange as Roz Meyers." The end credits continue with "Co-Starring" and "Featuring."
- Because You Can Cope: This is the answer Bobby gets as a teenager when he asks why Roger is allowed to play his annoyingly repetitive records while he's trying to study, and later as an adult when he asks why his parents are so much more concerned about Roger's career than his own.
- Big Brother Instinct: Bobby defends Roger from bullies while they're children.
- Bridal Carry: Roger holds Virginia like this in the swimming pool to help her overcome her fear of water.
- Character Narrator: Bobby narrates at the beginning and end.
- Childhood Brain Damage: Virginia was removed from the womb with forceps, leaving her with a dent in her skull and a limp in addition to her mental disability.
- Drowning My Sorrows: Roger's mother Roz (Hope Lange) drinks to deal with the lack of money and her worry over Roger's future.
- Hates Being Nicknamed: Virginia dislikes being called Ginny Rae, which she sees as a little girl's name.
- High-School Dance: While still living with his parents, Robert counts money at a middle school dance, where he chats with an eleven-year-old girl named Amy. This has far-reaching consequences. Roger thinks that Amy is his girlfriend and writes her a Valentine's Day card. As a result, he is falsely accused of writing her an obscene letter and harshly interrogated, traumatizing him so badly that he won't leave the house, leading his parents to institutionalize him.
- Holding Hands: As a young child, Roger can't sleep without holding Bobby's hand. Bobby once tries to trick him by wearing a glove and taking his hand out of it once he thinks Roger is asleep, but Roger isn't fooled for a moment.
- Let's Wait a While: Virginia wants to have sex with Roger, but doesn't think it would be right until they're married.
- Lohengrin and Mendelssohn: Virginia hums "Here Comes the Bride" while showing off her wedding dress. The song plays for real during their wedding.
- A Minor Kidroduction: The movie opens with Roger's infancy, with his family worried about his unresponsive behavior. It follows him during his childhood as he is diagnosed with intellectual disability and bullied by the other kids.
- Nephewism: We never see Virginia's parents, just her Aunt Katie (Maureen Arthur), who talks to her on the phone and tries to forbid her from marrying Roger. Her father is so far out of the picture that Bill Stein gives her away at her wedding.
- Serial Spouse: Roger's coworker Donna mentions that she's been married at least five times.
- Slip into Something More Comfortable: While trying to seduce Roger, Donna uses this line before she changes into a pink nightgown, to Roger's discomfort. When he tells Virginia about the incident, he mentions that Donna undressed, causing Virginia to burst into tears.
- Speech Impediment: Roger stutters and has trouble pronouncing his R's. Virginia has a very nasally voice, with lots of uptalk.
- Tantrum Throwing: Roger becomes so frustrated while trying to mop his apartment floor that he throws the bucket against the wall.
- Title Drop: Roger gives a speech about wanting to fall in love and get married like normal people.
