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Hilary Swank, Chloë Sevigny, Peter Sarsgaard, Brendan Sexton III, Alison Folland

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.

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85% liked it

61,539 ratings

Critics

89% liked it

72 critics

R, 1 hr. 54 min.

Directed by: Kimberly Peirce

Release Date: October 8, 1999

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DVD Release Date: April 18, 2000

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Flixster Reviews (3,866)

  • PvtCaboose91
    January 13, 2010
    PvtCaboose91
    "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?"


    Based on actual events, the critically-acclaimed Boys Don't Cry tells the heartbreaking true story of a young woman suffering from a "sexua

    ...( read more)l identity crisis". 20-year-old Teena Brandon (Swank) does not perceive herself as a woman. She sexually desires other females, but she doesn't consider herself a lesbian - rather, she sees herself as a heterosexual man, and decides to live life under the alias of Brandon Teena. Biologically, she was a woman. In all other respects, however, Brandon was male. In 1993, Brandon moved to a small town where a low-rent group accept him for what they believe him to be, and he even manages to charm the beautiful Lana (Sevigny).


    All is peachy until the truth about Brandon's biology is unearthed, and he quickly realises how fast things can change. The majority of the runtime for Boys Don't Cry chronicles Brandon's entrance into his new group of friends as well as his blossoming relationship with Lana. The final quarter, however, details how those who had previously accepted him into their "family" react to the realisation that Brandon's identity is complicated in a way that they could never have expected, and how this leads to horrific violence. Said violence that is unleashed upon Brandon is ultimately a crime of frustration and confusion, and it makes a disturbing statement about the Midwestern attitude towards homophobia. It's the direct result of unthinking men who find themselves unable to deal with the rupture of sexual identity posed by Brandon. In this way, Teena Brandon is a symbol of everyone who is unable to neatly fit into the presupposed categories in the culture of everyday life.


    There comes a point as Boys Don't Cry nears its dénouement when Lana is asked to admit her lesbianism; echoing a point at the beginning of the film in which Teena is asked to accept hers. But neither person is able to. Put in conjunction, these two scenes solidify the point that Brandon was a man who loved women and Lana was a woman who loved men. Neither was homosexual - it was simply a matter of the fact that neither had the facilities (or the funds) to complete Brandon's natural physical transition into manhood to match his mental state. In another masterstroke, the screenplay - penned by director Kimberly Peirce and Andy Bienen - never attempts to disguise the fact that behind his forced happiness, Brandon was deeply troubled. He had a history of theft and petty crime, on top of a tendency to be dishonest. For the most part, the film sticks closely to the facts presented in the 1998 documentary The Brandon Teena Story. The story has been slightly altered, of course, but most of the characters and events are accurately presented. Certainly, none of these alternations dilute or diminish the movie's brutal impact.


    First-time feature film director Peirce has assembled her motion picture in a straightforward but compelling fashion. Her direction is calm and assured; affording a leanness to the imagery which stands in direct contrast to the emotional complexities of the characters. Furthermore, Boys Don't Cry is masterfully imbued with naturalistic and mechanical imagery which compounds the sense of the characters' hopelessness. Peirce accentuates their despair by speeding up the film stock from time to time, and, while this sped-up footage unfolds, the characters observe in a stone-like stasis. Boys Don't Cry certainly earns its 'R' rating - it's emotionally fatiguing and visceral. Peirce did not intend for the film to be seen by those unwilling to confront the horrific results of intolerance and hatred. The audience is spared of nothing - every graphic detail of every indignity endured by Brandon is presented onscreen. Those who cannot stomach such scenes will find this movie nigh on unwatchable, while others will be rewarded with a potent filmic experience.


    Boys Don't Cry does go slightly awry, however, in granting its principle characters such a small amount of background; providing insufficient insight into many of their motives. While one can sympathise with the deeply troubled Brandon, Peirce never explains the WHY. The story begins with Brandon's makeover, but the turning point is unclear, with no flashbacks and little history. It takes longer than usual to immerse oneself into this particular world due to this, on top of the fact that throughout the marginally overlong runtime, the film occasionally loses a degree of momentum. As for the rest, Boys Don't Cry is a superbly-crafted re-enactment, but it's doubtful one will come away loving it. It's one of those remarkable films one loves and hates at the same time, and one of those movies one doesn't particularly wish to see again.


    Another great success of Boys Don't Cry is the phenomenal acting. The cast, which was comprised primarily of small-time actors of the time, is close to perfect. The lion's share of the praise belongs to Hilary Swank, who, with her short hair cut and wrapped chest, bears a remarkable resemblance to the real Brandon Teena. This is raw, courageous, compelling work - it's the performance of the career for Swank, who earned an Oscar. More than anything else, Swank convinces us of her character's masculinity, much as Brandon did in real life, and it triggers questions about the signifiers we commonly ascribe to the gender. What makes a man a man? What makes a woman a woman? There are no easy answers here. The supporting actors alongside Swank are more than capable. Chloë Sevigny is remarkable as the affection-staved Lana. Swank's chemistry with Sevigny is the film's foundation - if the two lead actors were unable to sell the relationship, the whole film would have slid into a crater of sensationalism. But it works tremendously, and their scenes together are both erotic and sweet. Peter Sarsgaard rounds out the triangle of central characters as the sociopathic John. Sarsgaard manages the inexplicable: he gives his hateful character human dimensions.


    Through her script and focused direction, Peirce has taken great pains to avoid even the slightest hint of exploitation with Boys Don't Cry. Ultimately, through an array of dazzling performances and her skilful exertions, she has created a genuinely harrowing cinematic experience. It's not quite as accomplished as it could have been, but it's nonetheless a worthy endeavour that's as fascinating as it is darkly disturbing.
  • ceWEBrity
    December 15, 2009
    ceWEBrity
    There are a surprising amount of "not interested"s on my friends list for this movie, and I can't really figure out why - this is a stirring, and most importantly unique, biopic. Boys Don't Cry is tonally distinct, tempering free-spiritedness and the bliss of love with both the r...( read more)oughness of poverty and the heavy reality of ignorance. Hilary Swank, who I only seem to see in her good movies, is unsurprisingly bold here, exemplifying the "tragic hero(ine)" by refusing to let him wallow in his misery. Brandon Teena is determined to be happy, and for a moment he is, though it costs him gravely. (Significant spoilers from here on out, but it's a true story, so lol I'm ruining real life for you.)

    The one thing that didn't sit all that well with me, and again it's a true story so I suppose I don't have any right to complain, was that Brandon was sort of difficult to sympathize with at times. The movie doesn't martyr him or make him out to be some sort of saint, which I can appreciate, but it seems really bizarre to me that someone would be brutally raped, then actually return to the house of the people that committed said rape. Of course no one deserves what happened to him, but come on. It may well have been for love, but Brandon never seemed to learn from his mistakes, and his impatience is considerably frustrating. Perhaps it's frustrating because you know it'll culminate in his eventual death, in which case I really have no right to complain, but I think it's difficult for any viewer to see a likable character make the same poor choices over and over.

    Boys Don't Cry is economical and in-control, a film of considerable bravery and a great debut for Kimberly Peirce. It is difficult to watch on many levels, but that doesn't make it any less imperative.
  • ScoopOnline
    November 29, 2009
    ScoopOnline
    Very touching Movies. I m not goin to survive the last scene if I ever watch this Movie second time.
  • irisheyes686
    September 22, 2009
    irisheyes686
    Very good acting, but it was a really disturbing story. So sad! It made me sick that people would act this way.
  • SirPant
    September 16, 2009
    SirPant
    Swank, Sevigny and Sarsgaard put in brilliant performances in Peirce's uneasy and powerful film, based on real life events. Recommended!
  • jam233
    January 31, 2010
    jam233
    First rate drama, with an unforgettable and mesmerizing performance from Hilary Swank. Chloe Sevigny is excellent as well. Disturbing, tragic, thought provoking and not easily forgotten. Good style from director Kimberly Peirce. Good score, very well done.
  • misocutlet
    January 31, 2010
    misocutlet
    I have heard that this is a great movie. Based on a true story, the movie may be remarkable. The story is interesting, but I couldn't keep watching the very simple movie for 2 hours.
  • Hashuster
    January 28, 2010
    Hashuster
    Hilary swank......... *bows down in praise*
  • chrissm1
    January 27, 2010
    chrissm1
    A hard film to watch, an endurance emotionally. Exceptionally well acted and extremely convincing. The movie show how hurtful and tragic ignorance can be. Some of the most emotive scenes you will see in a movie.
  • ElCochran90
    January 23, 2010
    ElCochran90
    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.

    79/100

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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
    pinkcielojean
    i reallly love evrything bout hilary swank and her movies..and this one made for those who are numb!
  • eagleseyewazir
    March 11, 2008
    eagleseyewazir
    just fabolous. one of the best movie i ever seen so far. Rest in Peace{Brandon}
  • 1HotGrandma
    July 15, 2007
    1HotGrandma
    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
    deadantz22
    This movie is so tragic.. Hilary Swank is such a good actress
  • stephsmatrix
    July 8, 2007
    stephsmatrix
    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
    lovinghim1428
    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
    angelxoxo711
    Excellent movie. its one of the top movies i have ever seen!!!!!1
  • ILuvGreen69
    January 27, 2007
    ILuvGreen69
    All i have to say is This is the best movie!!!!!!!
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  • 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 »
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