Boys Don't Cry

USA 1999, 116 minutes
Dir. Kimberly Peirce
Rating: [R18]
Genres: Drama / Independent, Lesbian, Youth

Feat. Hilary Swank, Chloe Sevigny, Brendon Sexton III

Aroview: Widely touted dramatisation of the true-life 'Brandon Teena' tragedy set in the grim badlands of America's Midwest, where a teenage girl (Hilary Swank) masquerading as a man drifts into a heap of trouble with a gang of unsuspecting, feckless youths.

Depressingly real, with some chilling insights into modern makeshift 'families' and dead-end psychoses, but also carrying a vein of tenderness that comes out in great performances from Swank (won the Best Actress Oscar) and Chloe Sevigny.

Member Reviews

Average rating (Very Good). Showing 1-2 of 2 member reviews.

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4 stars (Very Good) Based on the real life of transgendered teen Brandon Teena, a girl that wanted to be a boy, which makes it even more compelling. Highlights how ignorance and prejudice can bring out such brutality and violence. Only the heartless wouldn't shed a tear. ~GenXGirl
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3 stars (Good Enough) Swank and Sevigny are perfectly cast and give impressive performances - they are well supported by Arnette, Sarsgaard and Goranson. The dramatisation of events is believable and well handled. ~Tubbs