Rating: 
Summary: Girls Will Cry
Review: I saw this movie, enjoyed all of the scenes in which she was Brandon Teena undercover But when she was discovered, i started to cry my eyes out. The graphic rape scenes were so intense, I had to close my eyes so I could catch my breath. The acting was phonomenal, especially Chloe Sevigny and Hilary Swank. *****
Rating: 
Summary: This movie was ok but it was not the best movie of 99
Review: Hilary Swank was grate in this movie and you hav eto give her credit because this was a hard role to play. Chloe Sevigny was also grate in this movie. But this movie did have its rusty moments.
Rating:
Summary: overrated, simplistic
Review: This was very good, for a TV movie. For a film, it was sub-par. Although fairly well acted, it was melodramatic and didn't amount to much beyond a simplistic political statement - an important political statement, yes, but a simplistic one.
Rating: 
Summary: Glorified TV Movie
Review: At its best, Boys Don't Cry is a feverish testament of love amidst the most depraved and unlikely of situations. At its worst, it's seriously misguided; a simplistic account of the events leading to an American tragedy. In 1993, Teena Brandon (Hilary Swank) a young man born into a female's body, befriended a group of teenage yokels, fell in love, and was then raped and murdered when two men in that group discovered her biological gender. It's to writer-director Kimberly Peirce's credit that Brandon isn't portrayed as a martyr, but she isn't developed into much of a person either. Beyond the fearful dishonesty resulting from her "sexual identity crisis," Peirce fails to define the character on any other level. All of the actors do brilliant jobs with the little they're given, but only Brandon's affection-starved girlfriend Lana (Chloe Sevigny) is developed into anything more than an unsympathetic plot device. Had the movie concentrated more on her, and the hope of escape which she and Brandon see in their love, Peirce would have had an interesting thesis and perhaps not taken such a sensationalist approach to this material. If you're to dismiss the anti-male sentiment that runs through the whole picture, Boys Don't Cry says only two things: ignorance is bad, gays have a right to life. Good thing I endured the excruciatingly graphic, 30 minute finale to learn THAT.
Rating:
Summary: A Remarkable Film!
Review: This film features a tour-de-force by Hilary Swank, her jaw-dropping performance is one of the pillars of 90's movie acting. The true-life story is fascinating and while provocative it is never uncomfortable. Beautiful visuals and performances, Chloe Sevigny also shines and really inhabits her character, as does Hilary Swank. Expertly written and directed by Kimberly Pierce. Emotional, Powerful and unforgettable story of people struggling to just be themselves. Powerhouse performances, nice script, intelligently directed, beautiful visuals and music. Touching and ultimately tragic, this is one of the best films of 1999. From a scale of 1-10 I give this movie a 9!
Rating:
Summary: A truly unforgettable film
Review: I bought the dvd without seeing the movie first because I have always been fascinated with the story of Teena Brandon. I haven't regretted buying this movie one bit and watched it twice this weekend. Its a truly interesting and moving film that stays with you long after its over. Its the story of a transgender drifter searching for love and friendships with all the wrong people and who pays the ultimate price in the end by losing her life to a couple of homophobic small town young men.A disturbing movie, I couldn't help but cry in the end. Its power comes in the simple storytelling which never condemns Brandon's lifestyle but shows it as it truly was, a chaotic world which was overshadowed by her fear of discovery. You knew it was going to happen but the scene where the rednecks rip off her pants and force Lana to face the truth was disturbing. What comes after is the worst degradation inflicted on a human being, the rape and I couldn't help but cry during this scene. All in all, it was a superb film and a scary look at homophobia which is still quite alive in our country. Brandon's life will forever live on in this film.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful, flawed, moving, beautifully acted.
Review: Boys Don't Cry garnered excellent reviews across the board, so it was with incredibly high expectations that I walked into the theatre. As it turns out, I think I held this film to much higher standards than usual and found some problematic areas. That said, I still find Boys Don't Cry to be a powerful, touching, and harrowing story of misunderstanding, ignorance, and love, with one of the most powerfully Quixotic characters to have graced the screen in ages. Hilary Swank and director Kimberly Peirce chose the right approach by exploring thoroughly the joy Brandon experiences at his/her own transformation, making the tragedy at the end a moving experience. Dramatically the film sometimes gets too heavy-handed and it is the light-fingered moments (Chloe Sevigny's Lana lying in bed with girlfriends thinking back to her first seduction by Brandon; Lana and Brandon sharing the excitement of moving away; Brandon watching Lana sing karaoke) that really shine. The film does show off technically, with a flashy editing style, unsubtle use of music and, again, moments that are almost delirious in their heavy-handed presentation of events and characters. However, Boys Don't Cry still manages to stand on its own thanks to the utter sincerity of the performances, total sympathy with its characters, and thematic depth.
Rating:
Summary: A Must See
Review: Anyone who fell in love with this movie, Brandon, and his story as much as I did, has to see the DVD version of this film. The directors commentary alone is worth every penny. Kimberly Pierce (the co-writer and director) takes the viewer through a step by step tour of her inspiration for the film, her choices for everything from music to camera angles, and her hopes for what this movie would do to honor Brandon and his amazing spirit. She even provides tidbits of backround information on each of the actors, the making of the film, her encounters with the real life people portrayed, and her extensive knowledge of Brandon, his short life, and heartbreaking story. This movie is to be learned from. It is a eulogy to an amazing individual done with the respect he deserves. It is a lesson in the importance of tolerance and the ignorance of many. I believe I will never forget Brandon and all his story has taught me. I give the highest credit to Ms. Pierce for her drive and passion, her excellent storytelling ability and her perfect choices in casting. I also give high complements to Hilary Swank and Chloe Sevigny for their ever sincere, powerful performances.
Rating:
Summary: The Recipe For Critical Success
Review: First, find a depressing, controversial topic. Add in a boring, overly-dramatic script. Throw in a cast of completely unlikable characters devoid of any redeeming qualities. Mix thoroughly and add a tragic end and you have a favorite of movie critics everywhere. Unfortunately, you also have a long, boring movie that will thrill film school students and deep-thinkers, but will leave those who watch movies for entertainment with nothing more than two wasted hours. This film is not all bad. The performances by the cast are excellent. Hilary Swank does a fantastic job as Brandon Teena, and clearly deserved the Oscar. The supporting cast also does admirable work. But, that work is portraying characters that viewers cannot connect or relate to in any way. The story of Brandon Teena is worth telling, but it is best told by a documentary, not by a movie meant to entertain. If you like movies with a serious, important message and very little entertainment value, see this movie. If you watch movies for entertainment, avoid this movie at all costs. Despite the fine performances, when I finished this DVD, I wanted my two hours back. It is a depressing, long, boring movie that only a critic could love.
Rating:
Summary: Painful to watch, but worth it
Review: All of the actors in this movie were incredible. Highly recommended.
|
