Boys Don't Cry

This is a very powerful, and in many ways very disturbing, film that ultimately lingers with me not for its sensational subject matter but for its tragic and rewarding love story. Here we have two troubled strangers, both horribly at odds with their surroundings, finding each other, falling in love despite the many factors against them, and finally becoming the victims of the perception of their love. Like many others, I was tremendously impressed by the performance of Hilary Swank but I think the glue that holds the film together and gives it amazing hope and humanity is Chloe Sevigny. She takes a role that could have easily fallen apart in a lesser actress's hands and gives it complexity and depth that goes well beyond the script. To watch her is a breathtaking journey. Watch the way she uses her face in this movie – this is an actress of remarkable expressiveness and skill! Overall, it is a very fine film that merits any serious moviegoer's rapt attention.

This is not the story of a woman living as a man, because that would imply that this woman merely dressed up and fooled people. That's not at all what's going on.

This is the story of a male who thought male, felt male, and WAS male, but looked down at the body God gave him, and saw that of a female. It's not homosexuality, or cross-dressing. The name given to it, in the film, is Sexual Identity Crisis, but I don't really think it's a crisis. I don't think there's anything wrong with Brandon Teena, or Teena Brandon, thinking that. It is merely who he is.

And this movie did make me think about it, and that is its success. Powerful at times, repulsive at times, those whose lives this story affected may not approve of the final film, but it can still open the eyes of people toward things in this world that they previously might not have understood... which may help the next Brandon find and keep happiness in his or her life.

Worth seeing, but not for the weak of stomach or easily offended.

After finally getting the chance to see this film, I have to say it was worth the wait. Hillary Swank's performance was outstanding, she certainly deserves the golden globe she's already won and the oscar, she's sure to be nominated for. Brandon Teena was real, no questions. The director, Kimberly Pierce deserves much credit for telling the story subtlety, no black and white, he's wrong, she's right. I came away from this movie realizing the courage you have to possess to be different, the dangers from it are real and we must admire those brave enough among us to be.

When I first saw this film, many years ago, I thought it was both amazing and horrible. I was 10 or 11 and I wasn't ready for this, having lived all of life in a sweet little town in Sweden. I still remember how painful it was to watch is. It certainly reminds you of how horrible the world can be, and how cruel and narrow-minded people are. I couldn't stop thinking about it for days.

Everybody should see this film. This is the kind of film where it doesn't really matter if the lighting is perfect or if the art direction is good or if the camera angles are correct, because this film has got such an important message. However, it just so happens that this film also has good lighting and camera work etc. Everything about this film shows the pain and the fear, the loneliness and it really shows how much we are willing to do just to be accepted, and to be loved. I am so happy Hilary Swank got an Oscar for this, because she is Excellent!

We must never stop fighting for what is right, and we have to start accepting people. Making other people feel bad won't make you feel good. Hitting back is not going to stop the pain from the first punch. This films won't leave anyone feeling nothing, it really touches you. It's painful seeing how horrible life is for some people, and just watching this film hurts you. It's really painful. So once again, See this film if you haven't already. People need to see this, people need to feel this.

"Boys Don't Cry" is a recreation of the later years of Brandon Teena, who was raped and murdered along with two others. It seems that Brandon was trans...and hoped to surgically become a man one day. In the meantime, he lived his life as a man and fell in with some truly awful people....the 'friends' who ultimately ended up committing these awful hate crimes.

Considering the case made national headlines and won kudos from critics and the Oscars, the story is a bit surprising. Instead of making Brandon some sort of saint or hero, he is shown as a rather screwed up young person...not that in any way am I blaming the victims for the godawful crimes committed against them. But it clearly is a 'warts and all' portrayal of Brandon.

So is the film any good? Well, yes, it's well constructed and well acted. However, some might not enjoy watching a film where most everyone is easy to dislike. Some others might not want to see it because it is very unpleasant towards the end. After all, the story culminates in a rape and multiple murder! It is certainly NOT for everyone and is tough to watch. Fortunately, the attacks aren't as vividly shown in the movie as they could have been and the director showed some restraint...but it's still godawful to watch.

So is this film right for you? Well, that's something you'll have to decide for yourself.