Review of Boys Don't Cry (1999) by Ryan L — 26 Feb 2009

This movie disturbs me. I don't buy the "oh they're just dumb hicks" argument that gets attached to the supporting cast. Brandon straight up lies to them about every possible topic, and we're supposed to feel bad when they get upset about that. Now, don't get me wrong, rape and murder are absolutely no way to deal with it. Tommy and John are scum. But some of the other characters are supposed to be seen as kind of assholes for no other reason then being pissed off that they were purposefuly and drastically misled. I have a hard time buying that, because I'd be a bit pissed, too.

That aside, Hillary Swank is pretty awesome in this and Chloe Sevigny was great, too. They make the unconventional romance seem pretty real. I was initially kind of sceptical of Peter Sarsgaard playing the character he played, but he pulled it off pretty well.