Hilary Swank and Chloe Sevigny give amazing performances and hold the movie together. The film suffers possibly because it's being helmed by a first-time director, so the direction feels very flat and uninspired. However, when the last half-hour arrives, it's heartbreaking.
Didn’t find this boring at all. First half hour is a real hang-out movie, with a joyous Brandon finally experiencing what most kids take for granted, which is the freedom and carelessness of youth. Lana is too disdainful of her two-mule town to appreciate what Brandon finds precious: belonging, having a makeshift family, endless nights. But alcoholism, violence and bigotry start to take their toll and finally tragedy strikes.
Lana’s complete acceptance of Brandon is really tender (I think her final doubting moments could’ve been handled a bit better) and Hillary Swank makes Brandon a being of pure light and optimism. The whole cast is amazing-- Sevigny and Sarsgaard are instant stars. Really not the sad-sack melodrama I was expecting, though the sexual violence is indeed very hard to take.
Brandon Teena (Hilary Swank) is a transgender youth who's original name is Teena Ray Brandon. He lives with his cousin Lonny (Matt McGrath) in a trailer and tries to make his way in the world. He runs into legal problems however and also has to deal with a lot of intolerance regarding his gender and sexuality. Brandon happens to make friends with John Lotter (Peter Sarsgaard) and Tom Nissen (Brendan Sexton III) who take him back to their trailer park in Falls City. Moving there full time, this is an escape for Brandon and he couldn't be happier.
Review
The first and extremely obvious thing to say about Boys Don't Cry is just how good the acting is. Hilary Swank won on Oscar for Best Actress and it's no surprise why. Her portrayal of Brandon Teena is completely convincing. You feel Brandon's happiness and his pain flawlessly through Hilary Swank. Chloë Sevigny as Brandon's lover is also really great and she was nominated for an Oscar as well in the Best Supporting Actress category. She didn't win but she's unbelievable to watch too.
I also want to give a big shout out to Peter Sarsgaard. I already know what he's capable of but he gives another great performance in what is one of his earlier roles. His character is an ex-con and he's quick to fly off the handle in absolute rage. He's charismatic and seems like a pretty likeable guy but I was pretty much terrified of his character the whole time.
The script of Boys Don't Cry really does a good job at developing its main characters. We learn all about Brandon Teena but I really like the direction that they go in to explore his character. It's not all about trying to get his sex change, it boils down to his freedom. It'd be an easy way out to just exploit the sex change angle but that's not what Kimberly Peirce and Andy Bienen do. Brandon is a rich character and everyone around him is also full of depth.
Although it was filmed on a $2 million budget, it doesn't look or feel it. The trailer park scene is expertly captured and I can certainly see why Brandon dreams of leaving and going to Memphis. It's nighttime for the most part with lots of driving on lonely high ways that is all very nicely filmed. Apparently, Kimberly Peirce drew from a lot of past movies like The Wizard of Oz, Raging Bull and Bonnie and Clyde. All put together and you can see that it's an inspired piece of film making.
Boys Don't Cry is not the kind of movie you relax with a beer and watch with your extended family. It's graphic, haunting but strangely enough it's hopeful in a way.
The double rape scene is unbelievably disturbing and I admire the three actors involved for having been able to get through it.
I know that the real Lana Tisdel who is played by Chloë Sevigny doesn't like this film at all for its inaccuracy, but that doesn't mean that Boys Don't Cry isn't an amazing film. Because it is and I won't be forgetting it soon.
Add your comment
Comments 1 - 10 of 10
ChrisReynolds
Hilary Swank and Chloe Sevigny give amazing performances and hold the movie together. The film suffers possibly because it's being helmed by a first-time director, so the direction feels very flat and uninspired. However, when the last half-hour arrives, it's heartbreaking.sureup
Powerful story but the movie itself was pretty boring...ucuruju
Didn’t find this boring at all. First half hour is a real hang-out movie, with a joyous Brandon finally experiencing what most kids take for granted, which is the freedom and carelessness of youth. Lana is too disdainful of her two-mule town to appreciate what Brandon finds precious: belonging, having a makeshift family, endless nights. But alcoholism, violence and bigotry start to take their toll and finally tragedy strikes.Lana’s complete acceptance of Brandon is really tender (I think her final doubting moments could’ve been handled a bit better) and Hillary Swank makes Brandon a being of pure light and optimism. The whole cast is amazing-- Sevigny and Sarsgaard are instant stars. Really not the sad-sack melodrama I was expecting, though the sexual violence is indeed very hard to take.
CinemaDump
SynopsisBrandon Teena (Hilary Swank) is a transgender youth who's original name is Teena Ray Brandon. He lives with his cousin Lonny (Matt McGrath) in a trailer and tries to make his way in the world. He runs into legal problems however and also has to deal with a lot of intolerance regarding his gender and sexuality. Brandon happens to make friends with John Lotter (Peter Sarsgaard) and Tom Nissen (Brendan Sexton III) who take him back to their trailer park in Falls City. Moving there full time, this is an escape for Brandon and he couldn't be happier.
Review
The first and extremely obvious thing to say about Boys Don't Cry is just how good the acting is. Hilary Swank won on Oscar for Best Actress and it's no surprise why. Her portrayal of Brandon Teena is completely convincing. You feel Brandon's happiness and his pain flawlessly through Hilary Swank. Chloë Sevigny as Brandon's lover is also really great and she was nominated for an Oscar as well in the Best Supporting Actress category. She didn't win but she's unbelievable to watch too.
I also want to give a big shout out to Peter Sarsgaard. I already know what he's capable of but he gives another great performance in what is one of his earlier roles. His character is an ex-con and he's quick to fly off the handle in absolute rage. He's charismatic and seems like a pretty likeable guy but I was pretty much terrified of his character the whole time.
The script of Boys Don't Cry really does a good job at developing its main characters. We learn all about Brandon Teena but I really like the direction that they go in to explore his character. It's not all about trying to get his sex change, it boils down to his freedom. It'd be an easy way out to just exploit the sex change angle but that's not what Kimberly Peirce and Andy Bienen do. Brandon is a rich character and everyone around him is also full of depth.
Although it was filmed on a $2 million budget, it doesn't look or feel it. The trailer park scene is expertly captured and I can certainly see why Brandon dreams of leaving and going to Memphis. It's nighttime for the most part with lots of driving on lonely high ways that is all very nicely filmed. Apparently, Kimberly Peirce drew from a lot of past movies like The Wizard of Oz, Raging Bull and Bonnie and Clyde. All put together and you can see that it's an inspired piece of film making.
Boys Don't Cry is not the kind of movie you relax with a beer and watch with your extended family. It's graphic, haunting but strangely enough it's hopeful in a way.
Rating
8.5/10
stellaslove
Brilliant film based on a true, tragic story - Hillary Swank is absolutely amazing in this movie.. if you haven't seen it, you definitely need to.samfishers
Can't express how much I loved this moviearunraj
one of the great movie i ever seen!! Hillary Swank is boy or girl i still have that doubt, that much beautifully done gt.......George Bailey
One of my favourite! I LOVE LOVE this movie!Reira-chan
ah-mazing!!Bruks Lima
Ótima história e a atuação da Hilary Swank foi simplesmente excelente!