Boys Don't Cry (1999)

Movie Info :

Based on a true story, this drama was adapted from the life of Brandon Teena, born Teena Brandon, a woman who chose to live her life as a man and suffered tragic consequences as a result. In 1993, 20-year-old Brandon (Hilary Swank) leaves Lincoln, Nebraska for the nearby community of Falls City, where she sports a crew cut, favors jeans and boots, and is regarded as a man by most of the people in town. While Brandon's friend Lonny (Matt McGrath) warns her that sexual outsiders aren't looked upon kindly in Falls City, she develops a reputation for being something of a ladies' man, and is soon living with a single mother named Candace (Alicia Goranson). But when Brandon meets teenage Lana (Chloe Sevigny), the two become romantically involved almost immediately. Brandon makes friends with Lana's mother (Jeanetta Arnette) and a burly ex-con named John (Peter Sarsgaard). John and his buddy Tom (Brendan Sexton) run with a rough group of men who like to drink and carouse, and they accept Brandon as one of their own. However, when Brandon ends up in jail on a traffic violation, her secret comes out, and, while Lana stands by Brandon's side, John and Tom feel betrayed -- and their anger soon boils over into violence. A distinguished feature debut for director Kimberly Peirce, Boys Don't Cry was enthusiastically received in its showings at 1999 film festivals in Venice, Toronto, and New York.

Critics Rating and Audience Score :

Tomatometer

88%

Flixter Score

87%

IMDB

7.6

My Review :

Powerful but painful modern classic about the angst and intolerance of small town life. I felt that the primary reason for all of this violence and hateful behavior was born from the restlessness these people display, and the extreme measures it takes against outsiders who threaten their microcosm of the world. Let me be clear though - I have no sympathy for the villain characters of this film. They are small minded, sociopathic, alcoholic serial abusers who happen to live in a small town. Beautiful film.