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Review: Boys Don't Cry
by Jordan Hoffman

published 10/25/99

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Jordan Hoffman is LeisureSuit.net's Queens-based Senior Editor.



MOST RECENT YAK ABOUT THIS ARTICLE:

Subj: boys dont cry
that the best movie hilary swank have ever been in its awsome i wish i could see imt again.

P.S the movie is good i with it still came on tv.

-- shakira
Nov 21, 2008 at 4:00PM

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I'd been skeptical of Boys Don't Cry for quite some time. The story on which the film is based had the makings of a Ricki Lake panel: woman woos other women posing as a man, is eventually discovered and attacked. Then, perhaps worse, the story became increasingly well known among the university set. It grew to be a significant chapter in the plight of the transgendered, eventually a symbol for just the plain old misunderstood. There were in-depth reports in notable journals, most memorably an insightful (for them) piece in the Village Voice. Then followed rumors of not one, not two, but three different film adaptations—one of which is said to star Drew Barrymore. A documentary is made about the incident. Obviously, there's a lot to gain in the "Brandon Teena" game.

Despite all of this pre-existing consciousness, first-time director Kimberly Peirce has managed to make a unique and memorable movie that avoids most preconceptions. How this was managed is anyone's guess, though I'd probably look the way of maverick indie producer Christine Vachon, who, in some alternate universe, takes home an Oscar for Best Picture every year.

Boys Don't Cry works so well because it is not presented as freak show. The protagonist's decision to cut short her hair, bind up her breasts and stick socks in her jeans isn't served up for laughs or for pity; it is presented as a passion. "Brandon" is played by Hilary Swank, an Aaron Spelling graduate destined for a magnificent career in the dramatic arts. Her character is filled with ambiguities, but her portrayal is assured. Not only that, she has presence. We root for Brandon to pass, to score with women, to make guy friendships. We panic when a period comes and no tampons are in sight. What makes Brandon such a compelling character is that he is a sympathetic rebel. Not a sexual revolutionary rebel, but just someone doing something different in a community of conformity. Falls City, Nebraska is a place where an evening's entertainment may include sniffing whip cream cans and going "bumper skiing"–an activity that involves a truck, a board, some rope and little brains. There is a desperation at work here galaxies away from, say, Just One Of The Guys.

However, a major feather in Peirce's cap is that she avoids making cartoons of the rednecks. Indeed, Brandon finds what may be his soul mate in Lana, a member of an extended family of low-rent friends, some of whom work in a spinach-packing factory. Lana, a drunken waste to some, is a shining beam of purity to Brandon. Her karaoke act is a kind of artistic self-expression completely alien to him. His life is spent avoiding cops, stealing cars and denying that he is, indeed, not a boy but a lesbian with a delusion. The relationship between Brandon and Lana is pure Hollywood romance. Chloe Sevigny, who by now has a patent on erratic purity, occasionally upstages Swank with her honest performing style. Her reaction to Brandon's revelation is one of the film's more curious and memorable moments. Lana has fallen in love--facts, family, and even her own feelings aren't going to take that away.

The bulk of the film is slice-of-life in modern Nebraska. If you walked into the film mid-way without knowing He was a She, you might be puzzled as to what the story was about. However, the ticking clock grants the natural, well-paced scenarios a vice-like urgency. The whole affair is an exercise in nerves.

Peirce is, though, a first timer, and there are one or two moments of eye-rolling. Things get a bit over the top preachy right where you'd expect them to, and the last act's "get the hell out of Dodge" arc feels forced. All in all, though, a great picture, though certainly a downer. Don't expect to go out partying afterward. This film isn't exactly matinee fare.

P.S. Cheers to Brendan Sexton III for taking a flat side character and making him so inviting to watch. His character Tom's drunken giggles may be worth the price of admission. Jeers to whomever renamed this film, discarding the far better working title Take It Like A Man.


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Name: shakira
Subject: boys dont cry
-- Nov 21, 2008 at 4:00PM
that the best movie hilary swank have ever been in its awsome i wish i could see imt again.

P.S the movie is good i with it still came on tv.

Name: m-ty inside
Subject: boys dont cry
-- Jul 6, 2007 at 7:42PM
this mobie was goddamn awesome!

Name: Mohit
Subject: ..
-- Apr 16, 2007 at 12:24AM
Loved the movie...had nothing much left afterr watching it...i felt so damn alone !!!

Name: Vee
Subject: Boy's Don't Cry
-- Jul 7, 2006 at 12:29PM
Surprise. Its so wonderful movie.. ANd sadly. For JoAnn Brandon, Teena Brandon mother. I know she do mistake, but thats not a reason to finished her lives. Mostly she be honest to tell the true to her 'girl'. She too young and many thing can happened.

Name: Karin
Subject: Boy's Don't Cry
-- May 21, 2006 at 11:57PM
You know this is a very sad movie...people should just be able to be them self's my mother is a lezbian..and she has been for the past 17 years now..but honestly people will do alot for love and to actully to be able to be with the person they love.

Name: along
Subject: Boys Don't Cry
-- Oct 6, 2005 at 4:20AM
this is ones of fucking story that i can't never forget were gived big influence in my fucking brain

Name: Augustine.A
Subject: Boys don't cry
-- Mar 25, 2005 at 7:03AM
The movie had a profound effect on me and Hilary's performance was definitely Oscar-worthy.
The fact it is a true story makes it even sadder.

Name: krisha
Subject: killing...
-- Oct 6, 2003 at 2:36AM
this movie rocks itself and the world of queer. i hope they make more movies touching the surface of this alternative gender.

Name: love
Subject: see urself
-- Jul 24, 2003 at 8:38AM
sometimes we see a movie and we kind of start to play a role in it.i felt the same and it feels terrile.

Name: Anna
Subject: cant forget it
-- May 26, 2003 at 12:03PM
just to add another remark about this unbelievable hate crime, it was the best movie i have seen yet. great direction and GREAT cast. If i can find the documentary about teena brandon somehwere, ill be satisfied! ill be a fan of hilary swank for years to come!

Name: Mel
Subject: Boys dOn't CrY
-- May 13, 2003 at 7:46PM
Boys don't cry is a amazing movie!it's based on a true story and we can see the people are cruel¸teena brandon wanted just be herself:the people destroyed her!Brandon is my model!i bought her book and i will buy the dvd on her story(i have the movie!rest in peace!

Name: deep
Subject: Boys Dont cry!
-- Oct 19, 2002 at 1:56AM
One among the best movies I have ever watched. The thought, this movies is based on a true story is something to remember. Its sick to see people out there who can be so cruel to another human being. Learn to love or just keep quiet. Dont interfere in anybody's life!!!!! please!

Name: CH
Subject: Boys Dont Cry
-- Jun 18, 2002 at 12:03PM
I think this was a great movie. It of course was sad and depressing but there is one thing that i dont understand what is the meaning of the title( Boys Dont Cry)??

Name: SL
Subject: Boys Dont Cry
-- Jun 25, 2001 at 5:31AM
I never thought in a million years i'd watch a movie that struck me quite like this one has. I had to watch it twice just to make sure i didnt miss anything. I cant believe people can be so cruel, so stupid, and so ignorent. I think if thats how a person feels then thats how it is. I am straight, but i think people should respect others dissions, its hatered that kills not loving someone of the same sex!!! Anyway, I think this movie was a great one.

Name: mg
Subject: boys dont cry
-- Jul 18, 2000 at 12:22AM
The saddest part of the movie wasnt the "sexual crisis" or even the murder. For me it was the fact that there are people out there who lead such empty and ignorant lives as the population of Fall City, Nebraska. Boy am I glad to live in New York City.

P.S., to all other girls who feel like boys trapped in girls bodies -- a word of advise, skip Nebraska and head for L.A., New York City or San Francisco, you'll fit right in.

Name: aw
Subject: boys dont cry
-- Jul 13, 2000 at 5:28PM
i just would like to say that i thought this movie was incredibly real to me. it really hit home. i realized that some people are purely animals. Like tom and john in the movie. they couldn't accept brandon for who he was so they killed him. what is that all about? i wish people would start accepting people for who they are and not be so ignorrant to anything thats different. chloe sevigny and hilary swank did a wonderful job in portraying brandon and lana. just seeing how lana slowly started to fall for brandon was amazing. i think what she did was a great thing. she fell in love and didn't let anyone, not even her family, tell her otherwise. i absolutely just fell in love with her character. definately a movie to remember.

Name: vp
Subject: boys don't cry
-- Jun 11, 2000 at 5:31PM
I just want to say that the movie made me cry.I just can't stop thinking about it.Very sad!!!

Name: sw
Subject: boys don't cry
-- Dec 18, 1999 at 2:11AM
What can you say about this movie but wow!!! And I don't mean it in a superficial way. It takes your heart or soul whatever you call it and rips it right out leaivng you emotionally drained and unable to function. I know that's how I felt when I saw it the first and second time.

When I found out who Hilary Swank I was very impressed by the performance and transformation from regular girl to girl/guy. Perhaps its from her small town roots but she has really tapped into something that shouldn't be overlooked. She has performed something that looks very simple on its face but has nuances which you have to think about and study to get.

All in all a powerful film which I recommend seeing despite the emotional costs.

Name: KD
Subject: BDC
-- Nov 29, 1999 at 3:48PM
A very accomplished film. A bit downbeat, but I guess it pretty much had to be. You get a sense of inevitable tragedy from the lives those people led. You knew none of them would come to a good end (and not just because we all read this story in the New Yorker years ago).

But didn't Brandon look an awful lot like a skinnier version of Matt Damon?


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