Directed by:
Kimberly PeirceCinematography:
Jim DenaultComposer:
Nathan LarsonCast:
Hilary Swank, Chloë Sevigny, Peter Sarsgaard, Brendan Sexton III, Alicia Goranson, Alison Folland, Rob Campbell, Natalie Zea, Caitlin Wehrle, Lou Perryman (more)VOD (4)
Plots(1)
In Falls City, Nebraska, Brandon Teena was a newcomer with a future who had the small rural community enchanted. Women adored him and almost everyone who met this charismatic stranger was drawn to his charming innocence. But Falls City's hottest date and truest friend had one secret: he wasn't the person people thought he was. Back home in Lincoln just seventy-five miles away, Brandon Teena was a different person caught up in a personal crisis that had haunted his entire life. Like many young people, he made costly mistakes and when he inadvertently trespassed between his new love Lana and her reckless friend John, the mystery unraveled into violence. In a single, short life Brandon Teena was at once a dashing lover and a trapped outsider, both an impoverished nobody and a flamboyant dreamer, a daring thief and the tragic victim of an unjust crime. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (8)
A film with such a strong theme should first and foremost feel believable and credible, which the filmmakers have clearly and quite convincingly managed to do. That "believability and credibility" is achieved here with the help of the actors and the script, which is vital from the author's point of view. The unique performance of Hilary Swank, who at certain moments is perhaps not even acting anymore, but simply "is" the guy, combined with an excellently written story, together create a familiar whole that warns, shocks, moves, and digs very deep into your heart.
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A breathtaking performance from Hilary Swank against prejudice in its most crystallized form. From this urgently presented drama, the desire for love and understanding resounds painfully loud and clear, especially in the closed circle of characters and hypnotically immersive environment in which it takes place. For me, however, this environment is disrupted by overly literal and almost unbearable escalation of hostility. Nevertheless, the multiple performances by the actors, the excellent direction by an unknown director, and the discriminatory theme leave a lasting impact.
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Hilary Swank is truly incredible, and I couldn't believe that an actress with such strong personal charm could portray a boy so believably. But as much she and Chloe Sevigny excel in front of the camera, Kimberley Peirce somewhat flounders behind it. The story has a strong idea and its unpleasant atmosphere easily gets deep under the skin, but the two hours drag on terribly and most of the characters are portrayed in such a way that you can hardly establish a relationship with them. After it was over, I was left with the nagging feeling that it was really all about Hilary Swank and her short haircut walking determinedly for a well-deserved Oscar, and that the rest of the film was already lost in a vague haze. For me, therefore, 3 1/2*.
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I’m not a big fun of indie films from an indie environment about indie people. The last half hour is impressive, but I still can’t appreciate the annoying eternity that preceded it. What captivated me the most is how it’s possible that the characters believe Hillary Swank is a boy. She’s good in it, but… seriously?
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Incredibly suggestive and raw filmmaking that doesn't let the viewer breathe and then surprises them in the finale. Hilary Swank delivers a masterful performance, aided not only by a wonderfully written character but also by a significant physical transformation, including a masculine haircut. It's unbelievable the way openly sexuality and relationships are addressed here. The Oscar is in the right hands, and I believe that the Academy didn't have to think twice.
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