Boys Don't Cry (1999)
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A trans man's search for identity and love in rural Nebraska leads to a tragic confrontation with the prejudices of his environment.
The story
In 1993, Brandon Teena, a young trans man living in rural Nebraska, faces a series of escalating challenges after his identity is discovered by others. Following a series of personal setbacks, he moves to Falls City, Nebraska, where he begins a burgeoning romantic relationship with a woman named Lana Tisdel. As the two navigate their burgeoning connection and plans for a future together, the reality of Brandon's situation and the local environment creates a tense atmosphere of uncertainty. The film focuses on the intimate bond between Brandon and Lana as they navigate the complexities of identity and the looming threat of external hostility in a conservative landscape.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1993, Brandon Teena, a trans man in rural Nebraska, faces threats after his identity is revealed. He moves to Falls City and befriends local men, including John Lotter and Tom Nissen, while beginning a romance with Lana Tisdel. While Lana is initially unaware of Brandon's past, they plan a future together in Memphis. After being detained by police, Brandon tells Lana he is a hermaphrodite to explain his situation, but she accepts him regardless of his gender. However, their friends Candace and others discover his true identity through documents. During a confrontation, John and Tom assault Brandon, and later, they take him to an isolated location where they brutally beat and rape him. Brandon eventually escapes but is later found by John and Tom at a house; they kill him and Candace. The film ends with Lana finding Brandon's body and reading a final letter from him expressing his love.
- First release year
- 1999
- Runtime (minutes)
- 118
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Kimberly Peirce
- Writers
- Kimberly Peirce · writer; Andy Bienen · writer
- Cast and characters
- Hilary Swank · Brandon Teena; Chloë Sevigny · Lana Tisdel; Peter Sarsgaard · John Lotter; Brendan Sexton III · Marvin "Tom" Nissen; Lecy Goranson · Candace; Jeannetta Arnette · Linda Tisdel, Lana's mother; Matt McGrath · Lonny, Brandon's cousin; Alison Folland · Kate Lotter, John's sister and Lana's best friend
- Genres
- biographical drama
- Themes
- nature of romantic and platonic relationships; causes of violence against LGBTQ people; relationship among social class, race, and gender
- Tone and mood
- tragic; somber; tense
- Setting
- Rural Nebraska in 1993.
- Premise and plot tags
- biographical; transgender; romance; true crime
- Source material / true-story basis
- The Brandon Teena Story (1998 documentary) and the book All She Wanted (1996) by Aphrodite Jones.
- Reception
- The film was acclaimed by critics, with many ranking it as one of the best films of the year; praise focused on the lead performances by Swank and Sevigny as well as the film's depiction of its subject matter. However, some people who had been involved with Brandon in real life criticized the film for not portraying the events accurately.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 91% · scale: percentage · review count: 85; Metacritic · score: 86 · scale: 100 · review count: 33
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Actress · win; Academy Award · Best Supporting Actress · nomination; Golden Globe Award · Best Actress – Drama · win; Golden Globe Award · Best Supporting Actress · nomination; New York Film Critics Circle · Best Actress · win; Chicago Film Critics Association · Best Actress · win; Independent Spirit Award · Best Actress · win; Boston Society of Film Critics · Best Actress · win; Boston Society of Film Critics · Best Supporting Actress · win; Boston Society of Film Critics · Best Director · win; Satellite Award · Best Actress · win; Satellite Award · Best Supporting Actress · win
- Production trivia
- The film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry in 2019.; The film's title was taken from the song of the same name by British rock band The Cure.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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