Rating: R
Genre:
Drama
Theatrical Release: 10/08/1999(USA)
Release Date: 05/10/2003
SubTitles: English/Espanol
Dubbed: English
Sound: DDS/DD5.1
Run Time: 118 Minutes
Flags: Violence, Nudity, Rape & Sexual Abuse, Not For Children, Profanity, Substance Abuse (Alcohol, Drugs), Sexual Situations
Distributor/Studio: 20th Century Fox
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, All Movie Guide
