Boys Don't Cry (1999) Hilary Swank, Chloe Sevigny, Peter Sarsgaard, Brendan Sexton III, Alison Folland, Alicia Goranson, Jeanetta Arnette. Screenplay by Kimberly Peirce and Andy Bienen. Directed by Kimberly Peirce. 116 minutes. Rated R, 4.5 stars (out of five stars)
Review by Ed Johnson-Ott, NUVO Newsweekly www.nuvo.com Archive reviews at http://us.imdb.com/ReviewsBy?Edward+Johnson-Ott To receive reviews by e-mail at no charge, send subscription requests to ejohnsonott@prodigy.net or e-mail ejohnsonott-subscribe@onelist.com with the word "subscribe" in the subject line.
Some words of warning: "Boys Don't Cry" is difficult to watch. The film, which chronicles the events leading up to the December 30, 1993 death of 21-year old Teena Brandon, features images of intense brutality, including an almost unbearably realistic rape scene. Even in its quiet moments, a sense of impending doom washes over the screen. This is powerful moviemaking. Over two months have passed since the critics' screening of the film, but it still remains vividly etched in my memory.
So why should you subject yourself to "Boys Don't Cry?" Because it will transport you to a place you (hopefully) have never been before. After experiencing this film, you'll have a better understanding of homophobia, of misogyny, of unbridled hated. You'll have a better understanding of compulsive, self-destructive behavior. After spending two hours in Falls City, Nebraska, those shrieking yahoos on "The Jerry Springer Show" won't seem so comical anymore.
"Boys Don't Cry" is based on a true story. As usual, the filmmakers change some facts, including a couple of significant ones, but the core of truth remains. On a regular basis, Teena Brandon strapped down her breasts, stuffed a tube sock into her jeans and headed out to live and love as a man named Brandon Teena.
Teena was a fairly convincing man. His gait, mannerisms and vocal cadences were credible. Only when he feared his physical gender was about to be revealed did his feminine traits betray the disguise. Make no mistake, Teena was neither a gay activist nor a gay saint. A product of a socio-economic underclass where ignorance is the norm, Teena acted out of a drive he couldn't explain or contain. Following heartfelt warnings from friends and numerous scrapes with locals and the law, Teena simply moved his actions to a neighboring town.
There Teena (Hilary Swank) becomes friends with John Lotter (Peter Sarsgaard) and Thomas Nissen (Brendan Sexton III), a pair of ex-cons given to heavy partying and bursts of violence. He also meets, and falls in love with, young Lana Tisdel (Chloe Sevigny), remaining oblivious to the fact that Lotter and Tisdel had once been involved, and that the volatile Lotter still pines for his ex.
And so the pattern for disaster falls into place. As Teena and Tisdel draw closer, the good old boys get more twitchy. Sitting in the theater knowing what's coming, you want to climb into the screen, grab Teena and shout, "Snap out of it! These people are dangerous! Pack your gear, move to a college town and hit a gay bar, for Christ's sake!"
No such luck. Teena continues his dance with doom, just as so many others do. While the individual story of Brandon Teena is particularly nightmarish, especially in light of the increase in violent assaults against gays, it is just one of many. Teena also represents every woman who stays in an abusive relationship with a man; every aging gay male who pretends his trophy boy loves him for his soul and not his money, every person who remains in terrible circumstances because they see no alternative.
There's more. Watch the men in this story. Their contempt of women is overwhelming and all too common. When they learn of Teena's true physical gender, the motivation behind their horrific reactions is blurred. Is it because of the deception, because of the gay thing, or because they have learned that their buddy is (shudder) a lowly female?
The visceral power of "Boys Don't Cry" comes from the skills of director Kimberly Peirce and a slew of amazing performers. Hilary Swank, a Best Actress Oscar nominee for her work here, is astounding as Teena. At no point in the film does she ever hit a single false note. Chloe Sevigny, a nominee in the Best Supporting Actress category, works magic, using her languid eyes and tentative smile to great effect. And don't overlook the guys – Peter Sarsgaard and Brendan Sexton III are skilled enough to humanize their characters, making their outbursts all the more chilling.
"Boys Don't Cry" is difficult to watch, but I hope you'll make the trip. In addition to seeing a hell of a good movie, you'll get a tour of the darker portions of our societal landscape, where monsters in baseball caps cruise the streets, striking out blindly at anything they do not understand.
© 2000 Ed Johnson-Ott
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