Rating: 
Summary: A Superb job by Hilary Swank!
Review: This movie was difficult to watch and it had a disturbing, unoriginal plot, but Hilary Swank and Chloe Sevigny are absolutely brilliant. Hilary Swank should have won hands down and I applaud the Academy for NOT being politically- correct and giving the coveted award to the deserving actress, Hilary Swank rather than the expected winner, Annette Bening for AMERICAN BEAUTY. As for Ms. Sevigny, she was brilliant, although one can't make a very good case for her with Angelina Jolie against her for her equally haunting performance, in GIRL INTERUPTED. Sorry Chloe, Angelina was just great. Over all, an incredibly disturbing film, which probobly should have been rated NC-17. Lastly, I congratulate the producers and financers of the film for taking a risk, and creating an exceptional film.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Excellent Film
Review: Roger Ebert said in his review that this story - based on true events - could have been handled badly - could have gone wrong at many turns - but everything was handled just right, and I couldn't agree more.From the start, even those unfamiliar with the documentary surrounding this dramatization will feel the essential sense of fatality and inevitability that drive this tragic tale to its logical end as it begins its slow progression from a quirky slice-of-life comedy to a dark study of many conflicting characters and a powerful social commentary. A second viewing will reveal still further what a finely crafted gem this picture is. The reality-based events are placed as strategic set-pieces with a sometimes warped chronology and given fascinating spins - I don't know how much artistic license was employed (I imagine it must have been a lot) but fully justifiable for such a satisfying end result. The documentary is the shell and THIS is the filling, the substance, the meaning. The questions that arise from any study of this case are ANSWERED here, in a very satisfying way. There is phenomenal acting on display here in all roles particularly the lead (Hilary Swank). And before I leave, I must mention the masterful dialog utilized in this film - It strikes the perfect balance between believability and significance. Lines are as realistic as possible within the context they're spoken yet still allow characters to say what NEEDS to be said - I'm talking about PROFUNDITY with a capital P. Outstanding movie - well worth anyone's time and money.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best films made.
Review: Odd cinematography, but appropriately chosen. Boys Don't Cry has a feel to it you know stirs inside a part of you that is very afraid...very buried and doesn't want to surface. The movie is a true story with the creepiest elements of over-entitled male mentality, along with social biases against a girl who so strongly feels invested in being the opposite gender. The movie is first and foremost, a poignant love story...and then a case against society for their close-minded and sick fears about when someone doesn't fit in the box made for him or her. The movie can at times be gruesome and if you're in touch with yourself at all, it will take a lot of energy out of you.
Rating:
Summary: Horrific and Teriffing
Review: When I saw a preview for this movie I not only knew I had to see it but I also had to buy it. When I saw it for the first time, I was heart-broken. This movie, although a little graphic, is a well written protrail of this girls life. It is and awsome movie if you are willing to see the truth, not the normal cover-up accepted life!!!
Rating:
Summary: a frightingly and sorrowful film
Review: This movie deals with the ignorance of white trash. Hilary Swank did a superb job in this movie and Kimberly Pierce must have had some huge balls to direct such a controversial film. Chloe Sevigny's acting was beyond your average Joe. I was in tears by the time the movie ended. It deals with the cruelty of human actuality. All of the media scrunity the movie recieved was positive and it deserved every award that was given to it.
Rating:
Summary: Mindblowing & Heartbreaking
Review: Imagine---you're a smalltown girl in the heartland of the US, canning spinach for a living, with an alcoholic mom. The guys in town get drunk and "bumper-ski" for fun. Along comes a stunning young man, quiet, soft-spoken, who fights for your friend's honor in a bar on his first night in town. He talks about taking you away from all this---then the dream starts to unravel as all the signs start pointing toward a secret. The young man you've fallen for is , biologically speaking, a woman. I first saw "Boys Don't Cry" at the Reel Affirmations film festival in Washington, DC.---the first time it had been shown to a primarily queer audience and it floored me. By now, lots of people are aware of this fabulous film (one of those rare "crossover" hits that is popular with gay & straight audiences). Granted, it is not 100% true to the original story. For instance, the name "Brandon Teena" is a fabrication by activists. Teena Brandon never used that particular name during hir life. It is impossible for us to determine what terminology s/he would have used if s/he had been in a more open environment or had lived longer. Regardless, the movie is an anguishing love-story-gone-wrong. An issue that is often raised around this film is the director's decision to put Lana at the scene of the crime. Kimberly Peirce (the director) spoke to the audience about this at the film festival. She extensively interviewed Lana and many of the others involved in the actual events. Apparently, Lana's statements were greatly conflicted around this issue. Lana's "standard" statement had been that she had called the house where Brandon was staying from a local gas station/convenience mart. However, phone records showed that no phone calls had been made from that phone around the right time.. Her other statements had similar holes; thus, Peirce made the decision to explore an alternative situation. There is a great deal of artistic license taken with the storyline, but this does not detract from the film's effect. The actors, of course, are terrific---with the side effect that it now turns my head to see Hilary Swank in a female role (in other movies). I am surprised to see other reviewers flinching at the nudity, violence, etc. I doubt anyone went into this film without knowing how it was going to end. You must realize that even in the US, violence of this level is perpetrated on a daily basis for reasons as various religion, skin color, sexual orientation and gender identity. I can only hope that this film will open people's minds, eyes, and hearts.
Rating:
Summary: A Lesson in Tolerance
Review: Probably the most important film of last year, "Boys Don't Cry" takes an unflinching look at sexual identity and the disturbingly monstrous hate crimes that topic can, on occasion, inspire. Brandon Teena, as portrayed by Hilary Swank, is no pillar of virtue. In fact, she's presented as a dishonest thief who spends her life telling lies to get what she wants. That's what makes this film so devastating, its truthful representation of all these characters as deeply flawed human beings careening toward inevitable tragedy. The senselessness of the hate crime resonates deeply, and hopefully will make everyone take a breath and think twice about their own levels of tolerance. Hateful thoughts lead to hateful speech which leads to hateful actions. "Boys Don't Cry" is a reminder that our actions have enormous power and that power can be used to prevent this sort of tragedy in the future.
Rating:
Summary: This is one movie you will not soon forget!
Review: Based on a true story, "Boys Don't Cry" will keep you riveted to your seat. Hillary Swank is brilliant and incredibly believable as Brandon Teena, a troubled girl going through a "sexual identity crisis". With Chloe Sevigny as Brandon's girlfriend Lana, you will follow these two through a tragically romantic tale of love, strength and courage. This movie will touch you deeply as the heartbreaking final scenes unfold. This is one movie you will not soon forget!
Rating:
Summary: Disturbing....
Review: Boys Don't Cry is a good -- yet distrubing -- movie. What makes it a good movie is the acting, particularly Chloe Sevigny, in my opinion. Chloe's acting is absolutely superb in a challenging and complex role. That the she was bypassed for an Oscar is an omission that I hope does not get repeated in her next movie. What makes the movie disturbing is that it is a true story. The portrayal of lower-middle class white was pretty well done; although in one spot I think it unnecessarily relied a little to overtly on cliches when Teena discussed her dream to start her own trailer park. One other criticism that I would like to make is that I thought Teena's character was a little under-developed. Little effort was made making her a sympathetic character. Not enough effort was made elaborating on her juvenile delinquet past. And not enough insight was given into her psyche. So well acted is her part that these shortcomings of the screenplay can be overlooked. But still, I left wanting more insight into her character. As in "The Crying Game", the gender confusion is believably presented. "Boys" actually handles it better, than "Crying" by skipping the easy, quick, and opportunistic shock value -- and letting it unfold in a much more lengthy and dramatic way. So a good movie, disturbing because of it's reality, and most of all....Chloe, Chloe, Chloe!
Rating: 
Summary: Boys Don't Cry
Review: Bought it, watched it, threw it in the trash.
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