Boys Don't Cry
20th Century Fox (1999)
Crime, Documentary, Drama, Queer Themes/Interest
In Collection
#479
8*
Seen ItYes
(11/30/2016)
024543574591
IMDB   7.5
118 mins USA / English
DVD  Region 1
Chloë Sevigny Lana Tisdel
Hilary Swank Brandon Teena
Matt McGrath Lonny
Alison Folland Kate
Rob Campbell Brian
Brendan Sexton Tom Nissen
Lou Perryman Sheriff
Peter Sarsgaard John Lotter
Alicia Goranson Candace
Jerry Haynes Judge
Cheyenne Rushing Nicole
Craig Erickson Trucker in Kwik Stop
Robert Prentiss Trucker
Jeannetta Arnette Lana's Mom
Jackson Kane Sam Phillips
Josh Ridgway Kwik Stop Cashier
Stephanie Sechrist April
Lisa Renee Wilson Pam
Director
Kimberly Peirce
Producer Christine Vachon
John Hart
Writer/Composer Kimberly Peirce
Andy Bienen
Cinematography Jim Denault
Music Nathan Larson


Boys Don’t Cry is a multi-award winning drama about identity and love. The film tells the true story of Brandon Teena, a man who lives in a woman’s body who was at the age of 21 was raped and murdered.

Rotten Tomatoes: "Based on a true story, this drama was adapted from the life of Brandon Teena, born Teena Brandon, a woman who chose to live her life as a man and suffered tragic consequences as a result. In 1993, 20-year-old Brandon (Hilary Swank) leaves Lincoln, Nebraska for the nearby community of Falls City, where she sports a crew cut, favors jeans and boots, and is regarded as a man by most of the people in town. While Brandon's friend Lonny (Matt McGrath) warns her that sexual outsiders aren't looked upon kindly in Falls City, she develops a reputation for being something of a ladies' man, and is soon living with a single mother named Candace (Alicia Goranson). But when Brandon meets teenage Lana (Chloe Sevigny), the two become romantically involved almost immediately. Brandon makes friends with Lana's mother (Jeanetta Arnette) and a burly ex-con named John (Peter Sarsgaard). John and his buddy Tom (Brendan Sexton) run with a rough group of men who like to drink and carouse, and they accept Brandon as one of their own. However, when Brandon ends up in jail on a traffic violation, her secret comes out, and, while Lana stands by Brandon's side, John and Tom feel betrayed -- and their anger soon boils over into violence. A distinguished feature debut for director Kimberly Peirce, Boys Don't Cry was enthusiastically received in its showings at 1999 film festivals in Venice, Toronto, and New York. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi"
Edition Details
Release Date 2009
No. of Discs/Tapes 1
Personal Details
Purchase Date 11/25/2016
Location Personal Library
Owner Brookhaven Free Library
Store Amazon.com
Purchase Price $18.33
Tags heritage, transgender
Links ++ Review: Roger Ebert
+ Review: NY Times
+ Review: Rotten Tomatoes
+ Review: TimeOut Magazine
‡ Wikipedia: Brandon Teena born Teena Renae Brandon)
‡ BFI: Ten Great Transgender Films
Boys Don't Cry at Core for Movies
IMDB
TheMovieDb.org
Rotten Tomatoes

Notes
This may be the best documentary film I have every seen of the "true crime" genre -- true, this genre is not one of my favorites -- but this film tells the story with sensitivity and nuance -- It is an important film of gay heritage -- Hilary Swank won best actress at the 72nd (2000) Academy Awards and Chloë Sevigny was nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role --
It is #2 on TimeOut Magazine's list of Best Gay Films, on many "best" lists and received numerous awards.
2019 Selected for the National Film Library of the Library of Congress.