Das Geschlecht der Sterne

A somewhat believable story on the effects of a parent's sex change on the family. Denis Mercier gives the strongest performance of the movie. He's listed in the IMDB as an actor but is very believable as a transsexual.

Overall a high quality production sensitively done. As the movie didn't have much of a plot, that leads to an anticlimactic ending. What there is of a plot is somewhat overly melodramatic. Still, it's one of the few but growing number of movies with positive portrayals of transgendered people and issues.

I personally found this film to be both believable and deeply moving. It is really an old-fashioned family drama with a twist. What is the twist? There has been a dramatic change in daddy since he left home years ago and our heroine has really two mothers. She is also coming of age and likes a boy she meets.

The acting by all concerned is quite excellent and the film's pacing holds your attention. I was deeply moved at the mother's feelings of betrayal, the daughter's feelings of rejection by her father and the "father"'s coming to terms with having a daughter and dealing with his changes. There is even a slightly crippled good hearted young lad in the picture. This is traditional film making exploring the nature of real-life relationships.

I personally knew someone who underwent this operation late in life and it was a tragedy. One can only try to understand the angst of someone who feels that nature has made a mistake and deeply desires to change it.

This film is really worthy of a viewing. Check it out.