Boys Don't Cry

I know a blog post wasn't assigned for this piece, but I really enjoyed watching this film. I was unaware that this was based on a true story and that Hilary Swank actually won an Oscar for this role. If you're interested in the workings of gender identification in today's society and problems that not only young adults, but also children are facing when it comes to gender and sexual orientation, then this movie is a great watch. The film started off a little slow (in my opinion), but it picks up quickly. There isn't much back story in the beginning which may be why I felt it started off slow, but it's not really important.  This film, released in 1999, deals with ideas and material not socially normative for the time. In today's society, there are many girls with short hair and acting more masculine then feminine. It's not weird or unacceptable to see a women wearing a sweat shirt or something other than a skirt and high heels. Hilary Swanks' character, Brandon Teena/Teena Brandon, goes to great lengths to convince people she's a boy. She is aware of the genitalia she was born with, and can't ignore the fact that she was and has a female body. For instance, during one scene, she drives alone to the gas station to buy tampons. She also wraps her chest, so her breast aren't noticeable. Brandon's girlfriend Lana becomes aware that Brandon is actually a girl, but doesn't let Brandon or anyone else know that she knows.Their relationship was based on loving the person who they truly are on the inside, and not what gender, race, sexual orientation, etc. they are. I was shocked by the ending, without giving anything away, and glad the two "bad guys" got what they deserved.