BOYS DON'T CRY

US, 1999, 114 minutes, Colour.

Hilary Swank,  Chloe Sevigny,  Peter Sarsgaard,  Brendon Sexton III,  Jeannetta Arnette.

Directed by Kimberley Peirce.

Boys Don't Cry is based on the true story of Tina Brandon who wanted to pass as male and called herself Brandon Tina.  She was killed in Fall City, Nebraska, in 1993.  Her killer, at the time of the making of the film, was on Death Row for her murder.

Hilary Swank is persuasive as the young woman who wants to pass as a man, to have a sex operation and become a man in a man's world.  She also falls in love with a factory worker, Lana, played by Chloe Sevigny.  All goes well and she is able to pass herself off as a man by being very careful in a macho small town Midwest atmosphere.  However, as a petty criminal, she made mistakes with credit cards and identity and was arrested by the police.  A young man obsessed with Lana persuades his friend to attack Brandon and Brandon is killed.

The film is directed by first-time feature director Kimberley Peirce, who went to fall City, interviewed many of the characters involved and the police authorities there, in order that the film might seem more authentic.

The film is a plea for understanding of differences, for tolerance.  However, in the American way, intolerance bursts into violence and death.

1.The title of the film and expectations, a macho world, gender issues? 

2.Nebraska and the small towns, the countryside, the American Midwest?  Musical score?

3.The credibility of the plot, based on a true story?  The film-makers interviewing the characters that they represented?

4.The film contributing to a campaign for understanding of teenagers and questions and crises of sexual identity?

5.American violence and prejudice?  The fear of difference?  The shattering of American dreams and innocence?

6.Hilary Swank as Tina becoming Brandon?  The initial haircut, the clothes, the swagger?  Her brother and his comments on affection for women?  Her unwillingness to accept the lesbian tag?  Her coping with the difficulties in the town?  But as a petty thief, the stealing of the cars, the court appearance?  Attraction to girls?  Her fear of being lesbian?  Her wanting to be a boy, wanting an operation?  Hilary Swank and her appearance, voice, manner? 

7.Brandon going to Fall City and being at home, in the bar, one of the boys, drinking, boys' activity, conversation?  The meeting with Candace and defending her?  The attraction?  Staying with Candace and her child?  John and his friend Tom and their coming out of prison?  John and his obsession with Lana who wrote to him in prison as a little girl?  The boys' behaviour, fights, drinking, driving? 

8.Meeting Lana and the infatuation?  Lana in the karaoke bar and the meeting, working in the factory (and Brandon watching her through the window)?  At home, meeting her mother?  Everybody liking Brandon, women being charmed by him?  The falling in love with Lana, the meetings, going out, the sexual encounters?  Brandon's birthday and the celebration? 

9.The effect on Brandon, having to be careful, covering up?  Going back to his brother, not going to court for the hearing, returning to Fall City?

10.Tom and John and their background in prison, ignorant, drinking, John infatuated with Lana?  The houses?  The drive and the pursuit, the rivalry, out-driving the police?  John urging Brandon on, Brandon having to take the blame?  The ticket investigation, the arrest?  Brandon in the cell, Lana coming to see him, her reactions?  The boys and their wanting to check the truth of Brandon's sexual identity - Lana and her vouching for him?  Her mother and her reaction against Brandon - after his being kind when they first saw her prostrate with alcohol? 

11.The young men and their violence, the mother giving information?  Brandon being interrogated by the police, the flashbacks and the brutality of the rape?  Brandon with Lana, John and Tom trying to find him, the violent confrontation with the guns, Candace's death?  Brandon's death?

12.Lana and her life, wanting to get out of Fall City, Brandon offering hopes and love?  Her work, friendship with Kate, the karaoke bars?  Her distance from John - and having written letters when she was a child?  Loving Brandon, his transforming her, her vouching for him?  Her final grief?

13.Candace and her child, helping Brandon, the initial disgust at the truth, change of heart, helping him and her death?  The loneliness of the little boy?

14.The portrait of macho men, poses and strutting, drinking, language, fights, fast driving?  Inability to accept responsibility?  The brutality of the rape?  Their arrest?

15.A piece of Americana, issues, prejudice and fears, difference and violence, American dreams and the death of innocence?