Rating: 
Summary: Excellent story, cast and direction.
Review: Rupert Graves and Steven Mackintosh could be making billions of dollars for Hollywood. It is to our gratitude they prefer being part of excellent projects like 'Different For Girls'. See the original before it is remade for the 'American' viewers.
Rating: 
Summary: Different For Girls: But How About Boys?
Review: There is a scarcity of films dealing with transgender issues. Of those that do, most focus on the what the movie suggests is the inevitable tragic aftermath of all concerned. DIFFERENT FOR GIRLS suggests instead a more normal, less tragic plot. When generations of viewers see movies that punish those who cross the gender line, then those movies subtly and insidiously build up a layer of prejudice that counterbalancing movies that allow a new philosophy of films like DFG to act as a breath of fresh air.
This movie has a twin protagonist. The male is Paul Prentice, well played by Rupert Graves, who comes across as a man with problems but also as one who deep down is really a decent sort. Years earlier, while in high school, he befriended Karl, a male friend from some nasty towel-snapping bullies in a scene that may bring to mind similar such scenes that all non-jocks must have endured at one time without a white knight rushing to the rescue. And make no mistake, Prentice is the knight who stands down the bullies, much to the silent gratitude of a young man who has troubles enough with his own issues of latent feminist feelings. Fast forward ten years. Karl is now Kim, a male-to-female transsexual. They meet with the now Kim recognizing Paul, but not the reverse. When Paul finally learns the truth, the movie delves into some serious areas of the heart which dictate who might like whom and why. Despite some initial antagonism on Paul's part, he feels an attraction to Kim. The nature of this attraction might be purely physical. Kim, played in a surprisingly demure fashion by Steven Mackintosh, really seems to be an attractive woman. When both finally strip, the illusion on the audience's part that a male actor is playing a MTF trangender is not shattered. Instead, their union is sweet and unaffecting. They learn to care for each other regardless of the anatomical differences. It is likely that if there is a subtle message to DFG, it is that the magic of attraction between one person and another need not hinge only on the obviously physical, but on the less obvious emotional.
Rating:
Summary: Different For Girls: But How About Boys?
Review: There is a scarcity of films dealing with transgender issues. Of those that do, most focus on the what the movie suggests is the inevitable tragic aftermath of all concerned. DIFFERENT FOR GIRLS suggests instead a more normal, less tragic plot. When generations of viewers see movies that punish those who cross the gender line, then those movies subtly and insidiously build up a layer of prejudice that counterbalancing movies that allow a new philosophy of films like DFG to act as a breath of fresh air.
This movie has a twin protagonist. The male is Paul Prentice, well played by Rupert Graves, who comes across as a man with problems but also as one who deep down is really a decent sort. Years earlier, while in high school, he befriended Karl, a male friend from some nasty towel-snapping bullies in a scene that may bring to mind similar such scenes that all non-jocks must have endured at one time without a white knight rushing to the rescue. And make no mistake, Prentice is the knight who stands down the bullies, much to the silent gratitude of a young man who has troubles enough with his own issues of latent feminist feelings. Fast forward ten years. Karl is now Kim, a male-to-female transsexual. They meet with the now Kim recognizing Paul, but not the reverse. When Paul finally learns the truth, the movie delves into some serious areas of the heart which dictate who might like whom and why. Despite some initial antagonism on Paul's part, he feels an attraction to Kim. The nature of this attraction might be purely physical. Kim, played in a surprisingly demure fashion by Steven Mackintosh, really seems to be an attractive woman. When both finally strip, the illusion on the audience's part that a male actor is playing a MTF trangender is not shattered. Instead, their union is sweet and unaffecting. They learn to care for each other regardless of the anatomical differences. It is likely that if there is a subtle message to DFG, it is that the magic of attraction between one person and another need not hinge only on the obviously physical, but on the less obvious emotional.
Rating:
Summary: An original story with a great cast
Review: This is a touching and offbeat movie with an excellent cast and a great script.
Two former schoolmates meet again many years later after one has had a sex change. The story deals with how they tentatively reestablish a friendship. Neither character knows how to deal with the unique situation in which there are no rules. As they learn about each other, each also learns more about himself.
Rupert Graves and Steven Mackintosh give standout performances in the lead roles. A well-written script and sensitive direction make this movie well worth seeing.
Rating: 
Summary: boy meets girl . . .but with a twist
Review: this is actually an interesting, touching and reflective film. Two friends meet up accidently 16 years after their last meeting when both attended an all boys school. Only now one of them is a girl.Slowly even hesitantly the two get reaquainted. Prentice (the gorgeous Rupert Graves!) has aged but has not grown up---he still acts like a teenager. He has no aspirations except it appears to just get by. Kim, previously known as Karl at school, is a quiet determined professional. On the surface there is nothing that would suggests that two would be friends, let alone lovers. But each sees in the other something that is not physical---each has a goodness which transcends physicality. Kim while feminine in her actions, gestures and thoughts she is still very masculine in physique. This is why almost everyone else thinks she is a transvestite. The movie doesn't work on all levels. The conclusion is formula but the characters, Prentice and Kim, are poignant. The theme of being different and the longing to fit in are explored very subtley.Worth seeing. 3.5 stars
Rating:
Summary: Different for Girls...Who Used to Be Boys
Review: This is what some would call a "slight" movie. Unlike the more recent "transgender" film "Boys Don't Cry," "Different for Girls" is not meant to be downer. It has its heavier moments, to be sure, but unlike the very American, very somber "Boys," "Girls" is lighter fare, complete with a sly turnabout and a happy enough ending--and veddy British. Like "Boys," however, it is extremely well directed, with top-notch performances by Steven Mackintosh and Rupert Graves. Saskia Reeves is among the several fine performers in supporting roles. "Different for Girls" might serve as a perfect double bill for a heavier hitting, but similarly themed film, such as the aforementioned "Boys Don't Cry" or "The Crying Game." Run it second if you prefer closing your evening on an up-note.
Rating:
Summary: Bad Toupees?
Review: This was a wonderful film, intelligent, funny and a little bittersweet. I thought that Stephen Mackintosh was wonderful and his performance really added to the overall quality of the film. There are some scenes that are so true to life (transsexual men placed in prison with other men, for instance) and the film does raise some questions. It really makes you think.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful movie about sexual roles and confusion
Review: Touching movie about the relationship questions that arise when two old school chums meet after one has changed from Karl to Kim. The movie avoids stereotypes, is cheerful and romantic without ever being conventional. One wonders how much happier everyone would be if it weren't for the popular morality applied by the small minded.
Rating:
Summary: Different For ... Just About Everything
Review: What a brave and unusual romantic comedy. Thank God the BBC is still open-minded enough for such projects, which are not only important, but ultimately wonderfully entertaining. At the core of the boy-meets-girl, who used to be one of his mates at school, now transsexual, love story is Steven Mackintosh, who portrays Karl-now-Kim with such dignity and style that this film never feels sticky or cumbersome, as one might fear going into it. Rupert Graves plays the bad-boy "Prentice" with such charm that one thoroughly understands why Kim allows her new-found, quiet life to be turned upside down. He shows Kim that finding the right gender doesn't necessarily make you a whole person...That comes from conviction and caring. It requires passion - something he's full of and is able to rekindle in his old schoolmate. And who knows...maybe she'll get him to change his socks daily! Thoroughly charming!
Rating:
Summary: Different For ... Just About Everything
Review: What a brave and unusual romantic comedy. Thank God the BBC is still open-minded enough for such projects, which are not only important, but ultimately wonderfully entertaining. At the core of the boy-meets-girl, who used to be one of his mates at school, now transsexual, love story is Steven Mackintosh, who portrays Karl-now-Kim with such dignity and style that this film never feels sticky or cumbersome, as one might fear going into it. Rupert Graves plays the bad-boy "Prentice" with such charm that one thoroughly understands why Kim allows her new-found, quiet life to be turned upside down. He shows Kim that finding the right gender doesn't necessarily make you a whole person...That comes from conviction and caring. It requires passion - something he's full of and is able to rekindle in his old schoolmate. And who knows...maybe she'll get him to change his socks daily! Thoroughly charming!
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