I Used to Be Normal: A Boyband Fangirl Story

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The obsessive fans of boybands are profiled in I Used to Be Normal: A Boyband Fangirl Story. Every sine the rise of The Beatles in the 1960s, there have been all-male musical acts that have been systematically manufactured to play to the emotions are young females. Some of these fans include 16 year old Elif, who went viral with a One Direction reaction video. There’s also 33 year old Dara, who is a fan of Take That and an expect of all things boy band. Rounding things off are 25 year old Backstreet Boys fan Sadia and 64 year old Beatles fan Susan.

I Used to Be Normal: A Boyband Fangirl Story uses the experience of four hardcore fans to explore the obsession that girls have with boybands. For many of these girls, this obsession is something that they have to have in secret, since it can result in them being criticized or mocked by friends and family. However, each of these women are unafraid to express their love for their favourite boybands.

As a male, I have to admit that I was initially quite freaked out watching I Used to Be Normal, since I don’t quite understand the appeal of all the screaming and crying that comes with boyband fandom. However, this turns out to be a somewhat multilayered film, which follows these women for a number of years, seeing how their status as fangirls evolves over time. While not my personal cup of tea, I Used to Be Normal: A Boyband Fangirl Story should satisfy its target demographic.

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Sean Patrick Kelly

Sean Patrick Kelly is a Toronto-based freelance film critic and blogger with a Bachelor of Arts in Cinema and Media Studies from York University. Since founding his site in 2004, Sean has shared his passion for cinema through insightful reviews and commentary. His work has also been featured in prominent outlets, including Toronto Film Scene, HuffPost Canada, Screen Anarchy, ScreenRant, and Rue Morgue Magazine.