Hilary Swank, Chloë Sevigny, Peter Sarsgaard

Follow Teena Brandon as she becomes Brandon Teena and claims a new male identity in the rural town of Falls City, Nebraska. There, Brandon successfully pulls off portraying a man unbeknownst to the wo...( read more  read more... )men he's dating, eventually falling in love with Lana. He also befriends Lana's friends John and Tom. At First, Brandon's new friends like him and treat him as a buddy. But when Brandon's sexual identity is revealed, the deception triggers a spiral of horrific violence that ends in homicide.

Flixster Users

85% liked it

26,614 ratings

Critics

89% liked it

72 critics

R, 1 hr. 54 min.

Directed by: Kimberly Peirce

Release Date: October 8, 1999

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: April 18, 2000

Get It:

Stats: 3,816 reviews

Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Your Rating



clear rating

Flixster Reviews (3,816)


  • September 22, 2009
    Very good acting, but it was a really disturbing story. So sad! It made me sick that people would act this way.
  • September 16, 2009
    Swank, Sevigny and Sarsgaard put in brilliant performances in Peirce's uneasy and powerful film, based on real life events. Recommended!
  • June 18, 2009
    "A true story about finding the courage to be yourself."

    The story of the life of Brandon Teena, a transgendered teen who preferred life in a male identity until it was discovered he was born biologically female.

    ...( read more)REVIEW
    For a movie to be able to start off a "little" (emphasis on little) slow, and turn into a spectacle of both amazing acting, directing, and an amazing script is not only a rarity, but is almost unheard of. "Boys Don't Cry" is one of the most powerful films that I have ever seen. Ms. Hilary Swank embraced her character with open arms, and turned him into a hero. A incredibly hard task, considering a "few minor 'glitches'". The fact that this movie is based upon a true story only emphasizes the themes it is trying to portray. As a human race, it only makes sense that we should strive to accept our originality and differences, and celebrate them, rather than diminish them, and look upon them as being "bad". This movie is one that gives the audience the "complete package", and not just a pretty actress or soundtrack. As an all encompassing film, "Boys Don't Cry" is brilliant.
  • April 13, 2009
    A great true story. Pierce keeps the film on a single minded track. Opening up the life of a very confused individual. Swank does a wonderful job at creating her girl disguised as boy. She's 100% convincing. She also manages to bring a touch of contempt for Brandon, without ever ...( read more)alienating the viewer. Brandon's constant lies hardly make for a typical hero. The film always has a grim tone, wich makes Brandon's overall fall, not as shocking. A wonderful comment on the complexities of humans.
  • January 2, 2009
    Directed by:Kimberly Peirce.
    Starring: Hilary Swank, Chloë Sevigny, Peter Sarsgaard, Brendan Sexton III.

    "You want your mother to lock you up again, is that it? Is that what you want? Then why don't you just admit your a dyke?

    ...Because I'm not a
    ...( read more) dyke."

    The story follows Teena Brandon, born a female, she has something that many see as a disease or a disorder...she has a sexual identity crisis. A rebel and a thief, she skips town to Falls City, Nebraska, where she takes the identity of Brandon Teena, successfully pulling off a man and fitting in with the town folk and falling in love, while saving for her wanted sex change. But when her true identity and her lies are brought out, she is caught up in something that should never be confronted.

    I'm still left breathless from this film, under its gritty coating lies an intensity and power so great, that as soon as the shocking end hits, including and graphic and intense 20 minutes before that, I couldn't touch the stop button all through the credits (even if I do sometimes watch them). Kimberly Peirce is one hell of a gifted filmmaker. Her visual style is so gritty and surreal and with the brilliantly paced and profound instrumental music, the tone is so real and its what the topic deserves. That's another thing as well, I think the best way to watch this film is to be unknown to it beforehand, because as soon as I clicked onto it being actual events by the end, it made it that much more unsettling. These real events (for the most part) that unfold are used to Kimberly Peirce's advantage...I know that sounds bad, saying that these shocking and very real events are the advantage of the film, but they help her to develop these characters as they should be. I thought I could have hated the film by the end, mainly because of such an unlikable main character. She is one full of lies and deceit...and a rebel and thief by nature and she pulls an unexpected family into this trap...but I was so compelled by her development and her story and her love interests slightly misunderstood, but very true and forgiving connection...and the performances add to that.

    Hilary Swank won that Oscar for a reason. Not only did she come out of nowhere and show such dedication to the role in her transformation, as you would expect from actor, but she shows the right amount of southern charm and unexpected depth that is needed for such a role, not only does she look like a convincing boy, but she convinces you that she is from the first frame, while leaving that underlying knowledge or hint that she really is a girl. Chloë Sevigny was left with just a nomination and I am shocked. She is a crucial character to the story and one reason the film worked was because of her spot-on performance. She is another that shows depth and vulnerability for her role and shes a site to see, from her trailer trash persona to her convincing love for Brandon, shes shows a lot of potential at being a brilliant actress.Peter Sarsgaard has always had a very likable charisma about him and theres no difference here...until his change of character that is so chillingly realistic and intense, he shows another side of his brilliance.

    Intense, Surreal, Brutal, Shocking...Real. Boy's Don't Cry is an unexpectedly outstanding film with brilliant performances that can't be judged on entertainment value, but only on the sheer showmanship and craftsmanship in each element of the film and the difficult topic is used respectably and never exploited.

    89/100

    << "Shut up, that's your business. I don't care if you are half monkey or half ape, I'm gettin' you out of here!" >>

  • November 4, 2009
    The story was very disturbing! Swank's did a remarkable performance here, she was really good.
  • October 16, 2009
    This movie is a very sad movie..transgendered people are people just like anyone else....and they deserve to be happy..
  • October 15, 2009
    Hilary Swank's ticket to stardom, Boys Don't Cry is a solemn effort to capture the controversial life and death of transexual Teena Brandon, the girl who wanted to be a boy.

    I watched the film back in 2000, when it opened in cinemas in Greece. I was shocked and amazed. I still b...( read more)elieve it's a remarkable piece of film-making. I suppose I should revisit it at some point - see how it feels now that the hype has subdued.

    What I remember - characteristically - from the movie theater, is that people were laughing during the most dramatic moment of the film, when Chloe Sevigny's character holds her dead lover in her arms, crying for the unbearable loss. I guess "real" people are even more cruel than the ones on celluloid......
  • October 3, 2009
    "Dear Lana, By the time you read this I'll be back home in Lincoln. I'm scared of what's ahead, but when I think of you I know I'll be able to go on. You were right, Memphis isn't that far off. I'll be taking that trip down the highway before too long. I'll be waiting for you....( read more) Love always and forever, Brandon."- Brandon Teena

    A great film (based on true events). Hillary Swank and Chloe Sevigny did a great job in this film. One of the best biopics I've watched. The movie was very simple but because of the acting, the movie became one of the best. Not a happy film definitely but satisfying. It's great to have at least a peak on Teena Brandon's life. I feel sad for Teena Brandon. With all the controversies, Hillary Swank deserves the award. I'm sure I'm not the only one who is thinking this. She deserves her Oscar.
  • September 24, 2009
    Boys Don't Cry belongs to the kind of films that may leave a person traumatized when seen too young. It has very horrific images and a shocking story. Its power to stay in your heart and mind is indescribable, just to be utterly strengthened by one of the best female leading perf...( read more)ormances in cinema hystory. Well done film and a very powerful personal testament. Consequently, you take Hilary away and you get an average film with a good script.

    76/100

Critic Reviews


January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

One of the best films of the year! full review

View more Boys Don't Cry reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • pinkcielojean
    July 7, 2008
    i reallly love evrything bout hilary swank and her movies..and this one made for those who are numb!
  • eagleseyewazir
    March 11, 2008
    just fabolous. one of the best movie i ever seen so far. Rest in Peace{Brandon}
  • 1HotGrandma
    July 15, 2007
    A MOVIE THAT WILL TOUCH YOU TO THE VERY DEPTH OF YOUR SOUL. IT WILL STAY WITH YOU LONG AFTER SEEING IT, WISH I HAD SEEN IT SOONER. PERHAPS THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL PERFORMANCES I THINK I HAVE SEEN HILARY SWANK GIVE, OTHER THAN IN MILLION DOLLAR BABY. HILARY MAKES YOU FEEL HER PAIN, TORMENT, DESIRES AS SHE PORTRAYS "BRANDON" WHO STRUGGLES TO BE LOVED, UNDERSTOOD AND ACCEPTED AS A YOUNG MAN TRAPPED INSIDE A FEMALE BODY.
    SOME SCENES ARE QUITE GRAPHIC & RAW, NOT A MOVIE FOR EVERYONE. JUST EXCELLECT PERFORMANCES BY ALL, WITHOUT ALOT OF FANCY HOLLYWOOD FRILLS. A MOVIE YOU WILL NOT EASILY IF EVER FORGET, TRAGICLY BASED ON TRUE EVENTS.
  • deadantz22
    July 10, 2007
    This movie is so tragic.. Hilary Swank is such a good actress
  • stephsmatrix
    July 8, 2007
    this movie is the most depressing movie ever, everytime i remember seeing the movie, or see a comercial for it, i get so depressed, so sad!!!!!!!!!!
  • lovinghim1428
    April 17, 2007
    I loved this movie...it is a really good movie...one of the best that i have seen...really sad ending..i cried..:'(
  • angelxoxo711
    February 15, 2007
    Excellent movie. its one of the top movies i have ever seen!!!!!1
  • ILuvGreen69
    January 27, 2007
    All i have to say is This is the best movie!!!!!!!

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Official Trailer

More Like This


Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • The Lord of the Rings
    The Lord of the Rings (22%)
  • Dr. Dolittle 3
    Dr. Dolittle 3 (28%)
  • The Little Mermaid
    The Little Mermaid (31%)
  • Desperate Measures
    Desperate Measures (33%)

Theater Showtimes & TV Listings


Boys Don't Cry Trivia


  • Which actress won an Oscar for her role as transvestite Brandon Teena in the 1999 film Boys Don't Cry?   Answer »
  • This movie starred Hilary Swank as a transgendered teen named Brandon Teena.  Answer »
  • What two movies did Hilary Swank win best actress for?   Answer »
  • she starred in the following film: buffy the vampire slayer Boys dont cry million dollar baby the reapers freedom writers  Answer »

Recent News


No recent headlines. Got one?

Most Popular Skin