Boys Don't Cry

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When Brandon Teena, a young man with an infectious, aw-shucks grin and an angelic face that's all angles, wanders into Falls City, Nebraska, he takes to the town like it's a second skin. In little time he's fallen in with a gang of goofy if temperamental redneck boys, found himself a girlfriend, and befriended enough people to form something of a small family. In fact, it's the best time Brandon's ever had. However, there are shadows looming over Brandon's life: a court date for grand theft auto, a checkered criminal record, and a seemingly innocuous speeding ticket that could prove to be his undoing. Why? Because as it turns out, Brandon Teena is actually Teena Brandon, a woman masquerading as a man.

This fascinating story was based on real-life events (as documented in The Brandon Teena Story) that occurred in 1993 and ended in tragedy: Brandon's rape and murder by two of his supposed friends. Despite this horrible outcome, however, in the hands of director Kimberly Peirce (who cowrote the unfettered screenplay with Andy Bienen), Brandon's story becomes not oppressive or preachy, but rather oddly and touchingly transcendent, anchored by Hilary Swank's phenomenal, unsentimental performance. Swank inhabits Brandon's contradictions and passions with a natural vitality most actresses would refuse to give themselves over to. Brandon's deception is doomed from the start, but Swank's enthusiasm is infectious, and when Brandon starts romancing the sloe-eyed Lana (a pitch-perfect Chloë Sevigny), he finds a soul mate who wants to transcend boundaries and fated identities as much as he does. The last part of the film, when Brandon's true identity is discovered, is truly painful to watch, but in between the agony there are touching moments of sweetness between Brandon and Lana, who wrestles with the truth of who Brandon actually is. You'll come away from Boys Don't Cry with affection and respect for Brandon, not pity. --Mark Englehart

Description

A true story about hope, fear, and the courage it takes to be yourself, "Boys Don't Cry" is "One of the 10 best films of 1999" (National Board of Review). Critically acclaimed and nominated for two Golden Globe Awards, this four-star, "must-see" (People), "riveting" (Enterainment Weekly) drama features incredible performances by newcomers Hilary Swank and Chloe Sevigny.

Customer Reviews:

Boys don't cry.......2007-09-16

Good story, good actors, I just don't like how the event went, it's a sad movie...

Disturbing and Extremely Emotional.......2007-09-11

Hilary Swank is phenomenal in her role as Brandon Teena. This film is true to life regarding most of the circumstances surrounding the tragic story. With the exception of a few changes made from the book "All She Wanted" by Aphrodite Jones, the film is perfect. The tragedy of this story and struggle that Brandon went through in his short life is heartbreaking. It shows the dangers of intolerance. No one should be subjected to such ignorance. If you have never cried watching a movie, you will cry watching this one. It leaves a lasting impression.

Haunting Midwestern Tale based on actual events.......2007-09-08

Boys Don't Cry is based on a story that stemmed from one of the most famous hate crimes that happened during the 1990s. 1993 was an interesting year because it was roughly marking the end of a soon to be archaic era, with the days of everyone owning a cell phone and having an Internet connection just over the horizon. With that in mind, the films stark and serene fields of open roads and lonely highways make Nebraska all the more frightening.

Beyond the road is the story of a person trying to not necessarily find their way in life, but find friends along the way. The film looks at a small group of young friends, and one of them is named Brandon Teena. Teena (played by Swank) is soon discovered to not be what he appears, but suffice to say that nothing is what it appears when the themes of love, hate, rape, murder and self discovery all crash into one moment in time. Amidst the trailer parks and wide stretches of road, the film is able to really show the best in people as well as the worst. Overall a very moving story that all should see.

picture was dark.......2007-08-13

The majority of the film was dark, the scenes I especially wanted to see were very dark. My picture tube is fine, brand new TV but I will watch it again when I have nothing to do.

Boys Don't Cry.......2007-07-11

This gritty, compelling film by debut director Kimberly Peirce examines homophobia, sexual identity, and unconventional love in a small, dead-end town. Based on the real-life story of Brandon Teena (born Teena Brandon) who was murdered in 1993, "Boys" is a first-rate docudrama with a lot on its mind, but Peirce never lets the issues diminish the emotional impact of her story. Swank's unusually brave performance, honored with an Oscar, is gut-wrenching to watch, while arthouse darling Sevigny breaks your heart as Brandon's love interest. Brutal subject matter, but "Boys" demands to be seen.

Sundance Film Festival Collection: Celebrating 25 Years

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Sundance Film Festival Collection: Celebrating 25 Years
Starring: Sundance Film Festival Collection
Manufacturer: Sundance Channel Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000BF0DCO
Release Date: 2005-12-13

Description

This limited edition, special collectors' DVD set celebrates 25 years of the Sundance Institute. It contains ten ground-breaking films that embody the sprit of independence, creative risk-taking, and diversity that define the Sundance Film Festival. Bonus materials include a booklet and an 11th disc with behind-the-scenes footage from the Sundance Institute Labs and never-before-seen interviews with filmmakers and founder Robert Redford.

Charlie Rose with Meryl Streep; Joschka Fischer; Kimberly Peirce (November 5, 1999)

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Charlie Rose with Meryl Streep; Joschka Fischer; Kimberly Peirce (November 5, 1999)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The actress Meryl Streep discusses her performance in Wes Craven's Music of the Heart, about a music teacher and single parent who talks her way into a job teaching violin to children at a public school in Harlem. Then, an interview with Joschka Fischer, the foreign minister of Germany, about NATO's war against Serbia and his nation's relationship with the United States. Last, the director Kimberly Peirce discusses her film Boys Don't Cry, which stars Hilary Swank as a young girl who lives as a boy.

Average customer rating:

Boys don't cry
Disturbing and Extremely Emotional
Haunting Midwestern Tale based on actual events
picture was dark
Boys Don't Cry

Boys Don't Cry [Region 2]
Starring: Hilary Swank , Chloë Sevigny , Peter Sarsgaard , Brendan Sexton III , and Alicia Goranson
Director: Kimberly Peirce
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00005UWNB

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Customer Reviews:

Boys don't cry.......2007-09-16

Good story, good actors, I just don't like how the event went, it's a sad movie...

Disturbing and Extremely Emotional.......2007-09-11

Haunting Midwestern Tale based on actual events.......2007-09-08

picture was dark.......2007-08-13

The majority of the film was dark, the scenes I especially wanted to see were very dark. My picture tube is fine, brand new TV but I will watch it again when I have nothing to do.

Boys Don't Cry.......2007-07-11

Charlie Rose with Hilary Swank; David Crosby & David Bender; Doc Severinsen (March 10, 2000)

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Charlie Rose with Hilary Swank; David Crosby & David Bender; Doc Severinsen (March 10, 2000)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

First, a conversation with actress Hilary Swank, whose role in the film Boys Don't Cry, based on true events, transformed her career. She played the part of Brandon Teena, a gender-tormented teenager who disguised herself as a boy and was subsequently raped and murdered by her male friends. Later, the authors of Stand and Be Counted, a book and companion documentary about music as weapons in the fight against social injustice and oppression: veteran musician and song writer David Crosby of The Byrds, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and a new group called CPR, and David Bender, a founding and contributing editor to George magazine. Finally, a conversation with Doc Severinsen, the principal pops conductor of the Minnesota, Milwaukee and Phoenix symphony orchestras. He also tours with his own big band, has recorded more than 30 albums, and can be heard each week playing the famous trumpet theme of the CBS News broadcast Sunday Morning.

Charlie Rose with Robert Redford; Kimberly Peirce, Stanley Tucci & Glenn Close (April 23, 2002)

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Charlie Rose with Robert Redford; Kimberly Peirce, Stanley Tucci & Glenn Close (April 23, 2002)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose, Inc.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Description

Actor, director, and film producer Robert Redford talks about his founding of the Sundance Institute. In addition, filmmaker Kimberly Peirce and actors Stanley Tucci and Glenn Close discuss the Sundance Film Festival on its 20th anniversary.

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How does one say "pretty awful" in Polish?
One of the funniest Polish comedies ever made

Boys Don't Cry -- Cholpake nie placza

Manufacturer: MGE
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ASIN: B0009W2XRW

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One of the best Polish comedies of the late 1990's, "Boys Don't Cry" is a satirical look at the gangsters of Poland and some teens who accidentally get involved with them. The humor is black, sometimes vulgar, and always hilarious. The cast comes from the new generation of Polish actors, and all are very talented.

Customer Reviews:

How does one say "pretty awful" in Polish?.......2005-06-20

Just to set the record straight, I'd already seen Hilary Swank's Oscar-winning performance in the American film BOYS DON'T CRY (1999), so I knew the difference between it and this Polish film of the same title, albeit translated from CHLOPAKI NIE PLACZA.

In this lesser version of BOYS DON'T CRY, a virginal Polish teenager with acne problems, Oskarowi (Wojciech Klata), is convinced by his equally nerdy buddy Kuba (Maciej Stuhr), a music student, that his skin problems will be solved if he has sex. So, the two hire a couple of hookers from an escort agency run by Bolec (Michal Milowicz), the bumbling, gangster wannabe son of a Mafiosky bigshot. An unfortunate misunderstanding over the girls' fees cause their pimp to confiscate the valuable bust of a wizard belonging to one of the boys' uncles. Later, while attempting to buy the art piece back, Kuba is the awkward witness to the exchange of a suitcase of dirty money between Bolec and two tough guys from out of town sent to the former by his Old Man to do business. In the ensuing confusion, gunfire and wounds are exchanged, and the suitcase of cash disappears along with Kuba.

Perhaps some of the humor of this clumsy satire was lost in translation from the Polish dialog to English subtitles. But my wife, who's of Polish heritage and has a working knowledge of the language, gave up on the film after thirty minutes. In any case, the screenplay and quality of the acting reminded me of a goofy 1970s porn flick without the redeeming presence of any hardcore sex.

In my estimation, the only worthwhile scene was one in which Bolec, who thinks the Polish Mafia would benefit if its members adopted the smooth moves of Black rappers seen on American videos, has explained to him the historical origin of those same rappers - an explanation that wouldn't have made it past the ever-vigilant Stateside PC Police, but which I found positively endearing for its lack of political correctness.

A reluctant two stars.

One of the funniest Polish comedies ever made.......2005-06-08

"Boy's Don't Cry" (Chlopaki Nie Placza) is essentially a comedy about gangsters. These range from real tough guys, to imitations or posers, who don't stand a chance to make it in the real world. A violinist (Maciej Stuhr) and his friends accidentally complicate the lives of some local gangsters, and then must figure out how to regain their normal lives.

I laughed throughout the entire film, and feel it ranks among the funniest Polish comedies ever made. What makes "Boy's Don't Cry" successful is how the film augments the humor with excellent action scenes. The action-packed opening sequence is one of the best I've ever seen, and from the very beginning to end, this film had my total attention.

Olaf Lubaszenko did a remarkable job directing "Boy's Don't Cry" and, I feel, created a modern Polish classic. Although the humor can be a bit subjective, and I can't guarantee everyone will find it funny, I give this film my highest recommendation for someone interested in great Polish comedy. There really isn't a dull moment; and well worth the price of ownership.

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