Review of Transamerica (2005) by Jodie C — 05 Aug 2013

Written and directed by Duncan Tucker (Boys to Men (2001), this is a road movie with a difference, it's one which became a huge independent hit when it was released. It was made for a very meagre $1 million, but it captured the minds and hearts of critics and cinemagoers the world over, despite it's controversial subject matter, which it takes seriously, but there are some laughs to be had along the way, thanks to some winning performances.

Sabrina 'Bree' Osbourne (Felicity Huffman) was once Stanley Schupak, but Bree is in the process of becoming a woman, and is a week away from having a vaginoplasty, but Bree's world is thrown into disarray when she gets a call from 17 year old drugs dealer and hustler Toby Wilkins (Kevin Zegers), who claims his father was Stanley.

Wanting nothing to do with her past, Bree's doctor Margaret (Elizabeth Peña) threatens to refuse Bree's operation if she doesn't face up to her past. Bree goes to New York from Los Angeles.

Toby's mother killed herself years ago, while his stepfather Bobby Jensen (Raynor Scheine) is abusive, feeling guilty Bree decides to take Toby to Los Angeles with her. It's a touching film, with a lot of gentle if honest humour along the way.

Huffman is brilliant in the lead as our transgender hero who is struggling to come to terms with this bombshell, it's a shame writer/director Tucker hasn't done anything since.