Boys Don't Cry

Rating:
Summary: ashamed
Review: Okay where do I begin, First of all this movie made me feel ashamed to be a resident in the state of Nebraska. I mean seriously, do I really want the people who see this movie to think that we're all like this? NO we are not all child abusing, pot smoking, alcoholics.

Rating:
Summary: An ex-resident of Nebraska says 'WOW!'
Review: Wow! This film knocked me off of my feet.

It is rare that I find myself repulsed, emotionally-stricken, or desiring celibacy. This film repulsed me, stirred a whirlwind of emotions, and erased my sex drive. I nearly vomited after the film's ending (and, no, it wasn't from overconsumption of beer), and that's saying alot because I've watched horror films & listened to heavy metal and punk music since I was a child, and I've actually seen dead bodies on the street (when I used to live in downtown Detroit). I had thought that I had come to such a calous state where (drawing from the Jane's Addiction title) NOTHING'S SHOCKING. There is something that shocks: reality and prejudice.

It was interesting to see the actresses/actors performing in Nebraska in the movie. I lived in Omaha and Ralston, Nebraska in 1997-1998. I had heard bits and pieces of this folklore from co-workers and at seedy bars and shopping malls. I never had the chance to see the actual town, but I'd sure like to.

The acting in the film is spectacular, with all characters playing their roles in believable manners (although some of the roles are overexaggerated, to enhance stereotypes, no doubt). The bonfire scene, the bathroom scene, the examination scene with the doctor, and the scene that leads to the examination scene with the doctor (I don't want to give any details away for those who haven't seen the film) HAUNT me. I had nightmares lastnight and horror films NEVER cause me to have nightmares.

I'm interested in reading the book, and I'm also interested in communicating with anybody from the town (or near the town) where the film took place. I'm a student of sociology and english, so I'm always fascinated by folklore and human's reactions to tragic events that happen in/near the ir community. Anybody interested in contacting me, just drop me an e-mail at [e-mail]

I totally recommend anybody BUYING this movie.

Rating:
Summary: I lived in that town
Review: I grew up in Falls City (where the real events took place). I read the book "Everything She Wanted" by Aphrodite Jones (which is about Brandon Teena's story. Very gripping book, I couldn't put it down! I can relate to the fear that Brandon had there (for my own reasons). The movie was gripping because I knew some of the people in the story. I didn't know Brandon. When I was a child, I used to play with Lana's sister, she was a good friend of mine. My mother was good friends with Tom Nissen's mother for years. I know of all the people, even if I didn't know them personally. It is sad what ended up happening. Despite all the bad reviews about that town though, (other than a few bad incidents)I had the best childhood there!

I know life was confusing, but I hope Brandon/Teena rests in PEACE! God Bless!

Rating:
Summary: Powerful
Review: Hilary Swank gives a flawless portrayal of Brandon Teena/Teena Brandon in this masterpiece. This film is exceptionally well made and very powerful. The film contains frequent scenes of raw brutality and a very graphic rape scene. The acting is near perfect (expecially by Swank and Chloe Sevigny). This film is at times hard to watch, but it is very well made.

Rating:
Summary: I Never Want to Cry Like that Again
Review: Boys Don't Cry is a very, very painful movie to watch. I loved it, but it evoked such emotion from me...I am afraid I will never, EVER watch it again. I loved Hillary Swank in this film, and I understand why she won Best Actress. Chloe was wonderful as well. I agree with the person who wrote that Hillary was not pretending to be a boy, she was a boy. She did become Brandon. This is definitely a film that everyone should watch.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful! I hope to see more of Hilary Swank!
Review: I think the biggest pro of this film was Hilary Swank's marvelous acting. It had to be tough living as a guy to do this film. This film did have a good plot, although at some moments it was slow. It shows us the difficulty's of peoples live, and how we're all different, and how we all have one major secret we don't want anyone to find out. This was such an emotional movie for me...I couldn't stop crying the day AFTER I watched it, which has never happened to me before. Most of you should know what happens in the end (if you've seen it or not), and I hope those two guys pay for what they did. I must say that the real Teena Brandon (Brandon Teena) was very courageous and strong human being :)

Rating:
Summary: Very Powerful
Review: Hilary Swank definately deserved the best actress oscar she recieved. Actually, all the performances in this movie are exceptionally superb. They really add to the gripping power of this movie.

This is a movie that revolves around the theme of self discovery. Basically, it teaches us to be who we are, and drop all our insecurities even though we may be outcasts. The movie also teaches us to drop our hate, which comes from fear about people who are different from us.

This movie has some extremely powerful sequences. Powerful enough to make you cry, even powerful enough to make you react to characters actions, I got so mad at one point I actually had genuine hate for one of the characters in the movie. But that's a good thing, because it means the film had an effect on me, as it will on you.

The DVD is nice but not great, it includes a short documentary, and an informative commentary by the director.

Highly Reccomended.

Rating:
Summary: Disturbing but true....
Review: As others have said I, too, was blown away by Peirce's darkly hypnotic film. Even though the audience knows the tragic ending you somehow hope that Brandon/Swank will find some escape from his/her plight. The Oscar was well deserved- looking at the list of other nominees this year there was no one at the same level as Swank. The film's theme of finding and being comfortable with your true identity is a challenge to anyone watching it. Thought provoking in the best sense. It also plainly displays the ignorance and hate you'll find in your own neighborhood if you look for it. One interesting point I found. When I went to a large video store to rent the film there were only four copies of it - maybe a reflection of the local audience's discomfort with the subject.But for anyone who wants a dose of honesty about their own prejudices I dare you not to see this film.

Rating:
Summary: Depressing and Sad
Review: This movie is not one to see with your young children. Not an uplifting movie but if you are looking for an interesting and unique performance by an actress this is the movie to see.

Rating:
Summary: very intense
Review: I probably had the wrong idea, thinking of some kind of jokey tootsie type movie almost, this movie had me in fear almost, throughout, because it deals with this small place, its very dark, the scenes are lit by dirty truck headlights, plus you knid of know things are going to go wrong at some point. Swank was excellent, the boys were too, the pimply one was too convincing. It is quite fun in many instances, but its the fun scenes that you watch with a very solemn face, eyes wide and prepared for something, a fall off the truck, the cracking of the facade. I think any type of attempt to really use this as a social commentary about lesbians or any of that, etc. detracts from it as an amazing piece of art, an amazing story, told and directed really well.