Boys Don't Cry

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Boys Don't Cry ★★★ 1999 (R)

Falls under the truth is stranger than fiction category. Brandon Teena (heavily awarded Swank) moves from Lincoln, Nebraska, to the small town of Falls City hoping to start over and keep his past a secret. Brandon gets a girlfriend, Lana (Sevigny), and runs afoul of the reckless John (Sarsgaard). And then Brandon's secret is discovered—he is actually a girl and the gender revelation leads to tragic consequences. Based on a true story, which is also the subject of the documentary, “The Brandon Teena Story.” Pierce's version, not unexpectedly, was subjected to the charges of dramatic license, but the story is still forceful. 116m/C VHS, DVD . Hilary Swank, Chloe Sevigny, Peter Sarsgaard, Brendan Sexton III, Alison Folland, Alicia (Lecy) Goranson, Matt McGrath, Rob Campbell, Jeanetta Arnette; D: Kimberly Peirce; W: Kimberly Peirce, Andy Bienen; C: Jim Denault; M: Nathan Larson. Oscars '99: Actress (Swank); Golden Globes '00: Actress—Drama (Swank); Ind. Spirit '00: Actress (Swank), Support. Actress (Sevigny); L.A. Film Critics '99: Actress (Swank), Support. Actress (Sevigny); N.Y. Film Critics '99: Actress (Swank); Natl. Soc. Film Critics '99: Support. Actress (Sevigny); Broadcast Film Critics '99: Actress (Swank).