Review of Boys Don't Cry (2000) by Richard D — 10 Mar 2014

I think the biggest obstacle any film of this story has to overcome is getting an audience to understand and at least empathize with someone who engages in clearly dangerous behavior. It's not difficult to get an audience to feel regret over needless and insanse violence, but it's harder to get them to see why somebody might ignore the obvious signs that they are in danger, and Peter Sarsgaard certainly radiates danger in this film.

Hilary Swank really succeeds in painting a picture of Brandon Teena as somebody so isolated by differences that ignoring the danger is an understandable response to feeling accepted. The film itself is a bit too long, but the performances are great.