Boys Don't Cry - R

Brutal drama that's not for kids under 17.

Rating: R for violence including an intense brutal rape scene, sexuality, language and drug use Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Directed By: Kimberly Peirce Cast: Hilary Swank Running Time: 118 minutes Release Date: 07/11/1999 Genre: Drama

Common Sense Note

Parents should know that this film contains a lot of potentially upsetting material, and should be reserved for mature teenagers. There is a brutal sexual assault, a graphic murder, and a depiction of an emotionally abusive family. There are several non-violent sex scenes as well, involving the main character, a female-to-male transsexual. And there is plenty of substance abuse (pot and alcohol), petty crime (theft, car chases, forgery, etc.) and strong language, as well as an intense discussion of self-cutting. While the film is sympathetic to Brandon, some characters express strong homophobia sentiments which may be especially disturbing to gay, lesbian or transgendered teens.

Families who see this movie will want to discuss Brandon's sexual identity issues, how he sees himself, and how the people around him react to discovering his secret. Brandon is constantly lying to the people around him; how are the lies about his past and his family different than the "lie" about his gender? Why does he befriend John and Tom so quickly, when it's clear early on that they're dangerous guys?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Will Fertman

BOYS DON'T CRY is a moving but brutal drama based on the life and death of a young transsexual man, Brandon Teena. Biologically female (his given name is Teena Brandon) Brandon's just a few days shy of his twenty-first birthday, and in trouble. He's got a court date coming up (for stealing a car), and his only friend Brian is sick of his mooching and troublemaking. But Brandon's mind is elsewhere -- he's gallant and handsome, and very successful with the girls in Lincoln, Nebraska. He's not forthcoming to them about his biological gender, though, and it's clear that Brandon likes the danger this puts him in.

After getting kicked out of Brian's trailer, Brandon gets involved in a bar fight defending the honor of Candace, a cute girl from nearby Falls City. He quickly falls in with her crowd, impressed by Eric, the violent and charming leader of the group, and Eric's disaffected "daughter", Lana.

Brandon decides to crash with Candice, basking in the acceptance of his new friends and trying to win Lana over. At first, things are going great, but as Brandon and Lana get closer, his capacity to keep his secret beings to unravel. And when Eric begins to suspect that something is wrong, events spin horrifically out of control.

Director Kimberly Peirce has made a very good film, neither a bland elegy or a sordid true-crime drama. Brandon comes off as both heroic and troubled, and each supporting character is full-fleshed and sympathetic.

Still, this is mature stuff; we don't recommend this film as a starting point for a discussion about gender or sexuality with your teenager because it's too violent and disturbing. Try lighter fare like The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert or The Incredible True Story of Two Girls in Love.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Brutal sexual assault, sex scenes.
Violence A graphic murder.
Language Very strong language.
Message
	Social Behavior While the film is sympathetic to Brandon, some characters express strong homophobic sentiments.
	Commercialism
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Plenty of substance abuse (pot and alcohol).