Rating: 
Summary: A surprising story...
Review: They said on TV that this film was based on a true story and that immediately made me think that someone in this film will have to die. So I was prepared for that, but I was really quite surprised in terms of how the story developed. Usually when this type of film is made the main character would have left earth suddenly and too early. You feel really upset after seeing it and all the injustice made against this particular person and that hasn't been made right under their time here with us, living, breathing.
This film however left me feeling comforted for his/her person and what he/she was given from his/her girlfriend. At the same time it rightfully disturbed my mind, in that way that you think such a thing should never have happened and how long will it take us humans before we learn to not interfere with other peoples right to themselves and being they way that suits them? Of course on terms where it doesn't hurt anybody else. Sure, you could argue that the perpetrator in this case was actually hurt, but no you don't get to go around hurting others because of your own hearts sorrow due to another not wanting the same as you...As for the acting on Hilary's part - it's a piece of art! You would have to work real hard to make such a convincing portrait, she's brilliant. Hilary and this unusual development of the story makes it well-worth seeing.
Rating:
Summary: Raw, unrefined, emotional, overwhelming
Review: To make a movie great, one can have all the special effects and artistic refinement in the world. But in the end, all that matters is the story, and whether the people who are behind the movie felt so strong about the story that they'd put their heart and soul in it. Watching this movie is almost like reading an ametuer's personal story. The memory and the emotion are so overwhelming that even they choose the most understated words, the feelings are still pouring out from between the lines.
Rating:
Summary: Tour de Force Performance by Hilary Swank
Review: "Boys Don't Cry" has been cited for two major Academy Award nominations: Chloe Sevigny for Best Supporting Actress and Hilary Swank for Best Actress. The film is based on a multiple murder that occurred in a run down Nebraska farmhouse in 1993. What appeared at the time to be an inexplicably brutal killing soon turned into something far more intriguing as the true story of the killers and one of the victims emerged. Among the dead was a person who had been in town only a short while but had already become one of the town's most fascinating characters: a rebel, a loyal friend, and an irresistible romancer of the ladies.
That person was Brandon Teena (Hilary Swank), not the boy he and everyone else wanted him to be. Knowing him as a dashing boyfriend to many women, people were shocked to learn after his death that Brandon Teena was, in fact, a woman from Lincoln, Nebraska, named Teena Brandon. While Teena was a young adult trapped in a world that did not accept her, Brandon Teena was a fun-loving fellow with beautiful girlfriends who publicly adored him.
"Boys Don't Cry" is one of those bizarre true stories that cannot help but fascinate and intrigue. For the film to succeed, the role of Teena as Brandon must be convincing. If everyone who knew Brandon believed that she was a he, the audience has to be convinced as well, despite the explicit information given at the very beginning of the film. Swank accomplishes this through her angular face, close-cropped hair, physical mannerisms, and lilting midwestern drawl. Though the viewer watches carefully to catch a moment in which her femininity comes through, it never does.
It is virtually impossible not to be drawn to the film because of Swank's performance, which is captivating.
The film is violent, often painfully so, as co-writer/
director Kimberly Peirce recounts the odd events surrounding Brandon's ability to endear himself to people -- particularly female -- and to make friends easily. In the few scenes in which Brandon's true sex is revealed, Swank transforms into an awkward, embarrassed, tense outcast, knowing full well she is perceived as a freak. Gone is Brandon's winning smile, gone is Brandon's confidence, and gone is the very persona Teena has adopted.
"Boys Don't Cry" is one of those films that simply must be seen. It is unique among standard Hollywood fare. Not for the squeamish, it is a look at a dark, unpleasant side of how differences in individuals are not tolerated, society often accepts the expedient lie rather than the difficult truth, and stupidity and bigotry can lead to tragedy.
Swank elicits viewer compassion on several levels. Clearly, she is emotionally troubled, yet has adjusted her persona to fit in and feel comfortable. Her Brandon can flirt with attractive girls, become friends with them, and even carry the relationship to a sexual level. In the latter part of the film, she is the object of violence simply because she has successfully fooled those around her -- primarily low-life types whose own sexuality is threatened and whose alcohol-clouded minds inspire them to a "payback" of humiliating brutality.
The script, by Peirce and Andy Bienen, moves along briskly, seldom meandering. There is no sense of padding, as each scene provides a new dimension to the story. We learn that Brandon has a police record for petty crimes, but little else about Teena's/Brandon"s past is revealed. This gives the film a suitable mystery. The viewer shares an off-balance feeling with the characters in the film. The writers based their screenplay on an assortment of trial transcripts, media coverage, interviews with local kids, real-life participants, and their own imagination. The result is an intense look at events in the life of a misfit being the "perfect boyfriend" to lonely, innocent, and underprivileged young women.
Rated R, "Boys Don't Cry" succeeds primarily because of Swank's unique, often startling performance. It transcends the ordinary and sweeps the viewer up into Brandon Teena's peculiar,
tragic life.
Rating: 
Summary: BOYS DO CRY
Review: 'Boys Don't Cry'is a honest and at times sad story about the story of Brandon Teena. This film is charming, compelling yet the outcome is sad. What drew me to liking this film is the love story between Brandon and Lana. Hilery Swank did a fantastic, believeable job of portraying the ... identity crisis of Teena Brandon. Chloe' Sevigny was mesmerizing as Lana. There was fantastic chemistry between the two, and I completely understood what the director was saying. This is a important film that should be seen with a important massage. By Justine Ryan
Rating:
Summary: Painful to watch
Review: When I originally saw this movie I gave it 4 stars. Now on rewatching I'm giving it 5. It lost a star because though an excellent movie I did think it dragged in some sections and parts became quite tedious. However, it is on rewatching that you can really appreciate the mastery of the movie. The true life story of Teena Brandon, who masqueraded as a man and found a place among a family in Nebraska as well as a girlfriend, Lana (Chloe Sevigny), who upon discovering he's really a she realises she loves Teena/Brandon anyway. What makes it better second time round is the ominous sense of foreboding over the whole scenario once you have the ending in mind the whole time. It's difficult to know where to begin with explaining why the movie is so good. The obvious point is Hilary Swank, who gives in one of the truly great female performances of all time as Teena/Brandon. She reportedly prepared for the role by living as a man for 4 months and all of her mannerisms, the way she holds herself and how she talks are all evident of this. You will actually believe that a very attractive woman (just see her doe-eyed performance in Insomnia) is a young man. Every single part of her performance here is multi-faceted, speaking anguish, pain and fear of discovery in every gesture. Her best scenes though are those where she is interviewed by unsympathetic police officers after her rape, stumbling over the words as she is forced to reveal not only to the police officers but herself what she really is. This is an absolutely heartbreaking moment that, for me, had more power than the horrific rape scene. A lot of people will have a problem with this scene and it's understandable because it is horrific to watch, and you will find yourself repeating to yourself that you can't believe this really happened. Incidentally, the questions asked at the police station at the end are reportedly the real thing, a tape of the questions asked to the real Teena Brandon. Of course, to praise Hilary Swank isn't to forget Chloe Sevigny, who is perfect in her role as a bored small-town girl who's looking for something, anything to break the boredom. Her wide-eyed performance works wonders and she complements an all-round impressive cast. Yet the movie also works as an emotional catharsis and besides perhaps depressing you horribly does ask some pretty important questions about identity and prejudice. There are a few scenes that will probably stick in your head, such as the mother's firm avowal that she hates Teena/Brandon simply because he lied to her, something that goes hand-in-hand with freely admitting people she knows as rapists into her home. In the end this is basically a story of not love gone wrong but love forced off its path by petty prejudices and narrow-minded ideals of what love should be about. And whilst this ideas are never shoved down your throat by Pierce, you will definitely be left wondering this. Boys Don't Cry is a magnificent piece of filmmaking that may stand as one of the truly great indie films of all time.
Rating:
Summary: tragic tragic tragic
Review: I found this story so incredibly sad.I haven't seen the documentary but would like to and probably will,I've read the reviews about it.Its a very disturbing movie especially the total failure of law enforcement to help this young woman.I also couldn't believe that the mother would tell where Teena(Brandon) was staying, she must have know of the intent of the two boys.Its just unbelievable that she would do that.
After reading the true story I was a bit dissapointed in the liberties taken by the film makers.Especialy that Brandon thought that Lana had betrayed her to the two rapists because Lana said that "she would be ok in their company". That was must have been heart breaking to Brandon, actually shattering when you think about it. The movie gave no inkling of this.
But it is still a riveting movie and an absolute tragedy...
Enough said cold blooded murders like this are horrible and the movie did a good job shedding light into this dark little corner of America.
Rating:
Summary: the best movie .... will make you cry :(
Review: This story is a story that needed to be made into a movie. The movie is made and written by a lesbian. Chloe Sevigny and Hilary Swank shine in this movie. Swank manages not to portray a man, but a woman passing for a man. Swank allows her character to show the bravado, pain and courage it took for Brandon to be who he was. He is sweet and not agressive, completely unlike the boys in town. This movie doesn't pull punches when it comes to the sex or the violence in this story. It can be hard to take as I was crying in the end, but it is ultimately important to show how hate can be so destructive.
Rating:
Summary: Great movie but last 15 minutes are hard to watch
Review: Boys Don't Cry is based on the true story of Teena Brandon (or Brandon Teena). It's about a young girl who is gay in the south and she meets a girl and they fall in love, even after she funds out that Brandon is a girl. It's a very touching story, a very compelling film and a great movie in general. But here's the hard part... The final 15 minutes of this movie are EXTREMELY difficult to watch (because of a rape scene). I first thought that this was a great drama (unfortunately for me being ignorant to the story) and I figured that it was just going to be a good movie and really nothing else. For me, I personally couldn't get the last 15 minutes of this movie out of my mind for weeks. Trust me, I was that disturbed about it. But I don't want anyone to pass up this movie because it is a great movie and Hillary Swank showed why she won her Best Actress with this one. That and this movie is a lesson to anyoone to be tolerant. Seriously, anyone should appreciate this movie and everyone should also see this because it will teach you to be more tolerant in life and to appreciate the life that you have.
Rating:
Summary: Boys don't cry but this gal did!
Review: If you are depressed, then this is not the film for you. Incredibly life like in it's depiction of a young lesbian on a quest for love. Trueism also in the way the narrow minded people treated her after they found out that "he" was a she. I do not cry easy-way to butch for that- but this film brought me to the verge of tears. A must have, but view only when you need a dose of reality.
Rating:
Summary: Troubling yet compelling
Review: i first watched the movie version - and it really struck me. How fragile life is, and yet some people just snuff it out as easy as snuffing out a candle flame. Hilary Swank portrays Brandon very well - and it was a well deserved award she won. Brandon at least had the desire and courage to search for his niche in life, and to follow his dreams. How many people actually achieve that in this day and age? The roughnecks didnt understand him (which is understandable cos of the way their lifes were structured and their nurturing from young). This is exactly the kind of discrimination that goes on even in freedom proclaiming USA, what more other homophobic countries? Everyone artiste in this film had a vital part to play to keep the film moving, which is exactly what they did. Its not one of those 'brainless' movies you can just pop into your player and watch, but it still deserves a place in your video cabinet for the messages of hope and dreams it carries. In some ways, its an inspirational movie.
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