Rating: 
Summary: I Wish All Drama Was This Good
Review: I don't buy DVDs simply because I watch a movie once and that's it--no need to own it. I have a few music videos, but I own only one other dramatical DVD so far. This is so worth owning, and watching repeatedly.I became interested in seeing this because I saw one or two clips when the Golden Globes were on back in January. Troy Garity was nominated for his performance as Barry Winchell, and I liked what I saw, so I thought I'd look into it. My curiosity was piqued when I saw that this film was directed by none other than Frank Pierson, who wrote the screenplay for Dog Day Afternoon, which is one of my favorite films. Of course, the transgender theme is shared by these two films. I wonder if anyone else could have directed this with such sensitivity, and gotten such stupendous performances out of the cast. I rented this from the library, and about 1/2-hour into watching it, I knew I would be buying myself a copy. Both Lee Pace and Troy Garity do such a superb job on this that even if everything else about this production stunk (which it doesn't), it would still make watching it worthwhile. I find the scene where Barry (Troy Garity) walks up and down beside the catwalk as Calpurnia (Lee Pace) performs "The Consequences of Falling" to be one of the most sensual scenes ever, and they're out in the middle of a club! Shawn Hatosy is also wonderful in his role. I thought the script was well-written. I loved the line where Calpurnia's friend said to her that she didn't think that anyone was 100% anything--I didn't think of Barry as gay, but as a man who fell in love with a woman trapped inside a man's body. This made me think about how quick we are to label one another--some have been eager to label Barry as gay, but really, does it matter? Had Calpurnia remained a man, they probably would have never met, but they did, and they fell for one another in spite of themselves. You don't need to be gay or transgendered to be touched by fate, or to be touched by this film. The choice of music was faultless. I had never been a k.d. lang fan, but after hearing a couple of her songs here I immediately went out and got a couple of her CDs, and they are great. The other songs by artists used in the film (Annie Lennox's "Cold," for example) are just as appropriate. I was stunned to see how Lee Pace looked so feminine without actually going through the transgender process himself, and you can see how this occurs as an extra on the DVD. There are also interviews that make the DVD the obvious choice over VHS if you're even mildly interested in learning more. I really look forward to more work from Lee Pace, Troy Garity, and Frank Pierson. I've since gone back to see what Frank Pierson has directed and what Troy Garity has appeared in to catch up on what I have missed. Lee Pace is new to film, but I hope he's around for a long, long time. I commend everyone connected with this production, including the real-life Calpurnia for allowing her story to be told. I hope that she has found happiness (and hopefully love) in her new life. Good for HBO to televise it--I don't watch TV anymore because it insults my intelligence--I didn't think anything this good could come over the [TV]. Nice to know something worthwhile still falls through the cracks every once in a while.
Rating:
Summary: Calpernia's True Life Movie
Review: I eagerly await to see this movie someday! Calpernia Addams is truly a sweetheart. If you haven't seen this movie rent or buy it today from Amazon.com, you won't be sorry you bought it!! Calpernia Addams has helped so many people too make their lives better for everyone. She is a Very Hard Worker! My Love and Respect go out too Calpernia Addams.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best of 2003
Review: I first saw this film on Showtime. I am particularly interested i
in watching anything with Tony Garity because he did so well in
BANDITS. I certainly wasn't disappointed with his portrayal of
this soldier who accepts the transgendered male as the woman she
experiences herself to be. Garity loses himself in this role and
as a result makes the love that develops between the two believable.
The reason I recommend this film is that the subject matter is
treated with great sensitivity, both in acting and dialogue.
Rating:
Summary: Very good, better then 5 stars
Review: I first saw this movie with a girl I was dating. I am in the military and was told people in my division might not like it as much, but I ended up owning it because people in my division watched it so much I couldn't turn it in on time and got charged by the movie place for it. I'm not going to waste space with rehashing story lines, but I will say that the actors were very good, with parts very well emotionally played. I wish that more people would watch this movie, as it brings up very good points about gays in the military. We fight so hard to give everyone freedom, and then some have to hide in the closet for their safety. The main characters in this movie though, did no hiding, just a lot of loving each other for who, not what, they were. I took this movie home and watched it with my mom, as well as my dad. Both enjoyed the movie. Give it a try, I think you will find you will as well.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully Done And Truthful
Review: I found it a wonderfully refreshing to see gender issuse in the forfront. And know that things like that really do happen. Calpernia's Story is something that needed to be told. I am glad a moving like this was finally done.
Rating:
Summary: Truly Amazing
Review: I had an idea what the film was about before I watched it on DVD but I had no idea how well made it was. The soundtrack, the acting, the directing - all totally commendable, I loved it all.
I never thought that I would be watching a love story and a heart-breaking one at that. It was really emotional and believable and I really felt for the characters. For someone who is still searching for her longtime companion, I was undoubtedly sorrowful when tragedy struck just as the love between the two lead characters were blossoming beautifully. It was a truly premature end to something sweet. Worse still, this film is based on a true story.
I must repeat - the performances and musical score are truly outstanding. I still could not believe it myself actually. I consider myself amazingly lucky to have seen such a powerful film.
Rating:
Summary: Some justice for Barry
Review: I have never reviewed a movie before until I watched Soldier's Girl. This is an absolutely beautiful film, virtuously retold by wonderful young actors who have obviously been inspired to do justice to the truth. Here is a true story about Barry Winchell, a young soldier from the heartland and fresh out of basic training setting out somewhat hesitantly into dangerous sexual territory. And what danger there is in wait for this man! His military leaders and comrades have made life on base for him, or for anyone awakening to gay feelings, a living hell. It's a wonder that he didn't snap from the constant drumming hostility and it's really a testament to his bravery and maturity that he withstood that humiliating barrage without complaining. Troy Garity's performance as Barry is, I think, Oscar worthy and Lee Pace is completely convincing as the transgendered club performer Calpurnia Addams. Sean Hatosy plays the manipulative Pvt Fisher as a kind of "Iago" character so well that I didn't realize until later how seamless his performance is. And the young actor who plays Barry's killer really captures the feeble-minded brutishness of Pvt Glover to perfection. I really must hand it to Showtime for hiring Frank Pierson and all these incredible actors to portray this still fresh tragedy with such courage. The DVD version which I bought has some great interviews with the actors and some of the actual persons that helps fill out the total story. I recommend this film to anyone in general and specifically to any young man gay or gay-curious who might be thinking of joining the military.
Rating:
Summary: A Heartbreaking Gem
Review: I imagine this film wasn't released theatrically because of obvious parallels to the Oscar winning "Boy's Don't Cry". This film, when it works--and it does frequently, goes deeper into its subject matter than that film. The major theme of the film is men's uncomfortability with homosexuality...or is it just sexuality in general that has these young men so defensive? The film provides no easy answers.
There are some flaws in the screenplay (especially when the themes are layed out to us with a capital T), and some weak acting, but it truly soars when Lee Pace and Troy Garity have scenes together. Garity reminds one of a young Nicolas Cage, and has the talent to back it up and Pace is simply amazing. His Calpernia is so tender and lovely and unself-conscious it only makes sense that Garity's character would fall for her. These two actors move together with a relaxed ease that is both romantic and sexy. You truly want them to wind up together.
This film is a tragedy however. These two enter the confused labyrinth that is a young man's sexual identity...and only one makes it out. The effect is genuinely heartbreaking.
Rating:
Summary: The most moving cinema experience EVER
Review: I live in the United Kingdom but saw Soldiers Girl on Showtime on a visit to New Jersey earlier this year. I have seen several films that touch on the subject of Transgender relationships ("Different for Girls", "The Crying Game" and "Boys dont cry" to name three) . This one, by far exceeds them all. The film handles the topic in such a compassionate way. I liked the fact that it also explores the Militarys handling of Sexual and Gender issues but manages to keep the two very different subjects seperate and in perspective. No matter what your background, this presentation will make you understand the problems, false stereotypes and misrepresentations facing Transgendered people as well as being entertained by a movie that I haven't come across in many many years. Well done to all that where involved and to you, the reader, BUY IT NOW!
Rating:
Summary: Soldier's Girl
Review: I rented this DVD and couldn't stop watching it. I think most people will miss the point of this movie...and that is the power of love. I don't think it has anything to do with gay or straight...just love between two people. I think Barry saw so much in Calpernia as a beautiful person, that he just wanted to share in that. The music selected for this movie was injected in the scenes so subtlely and yet so purposefully. I will have Annie Lennox's "Cold" running through my mind forever. The actors in this movie were superb! This movie will haunt me for a long time.
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