A Girl Like Me: The Gwen Araujo Story (2006) (TV)

Director:

Agnieszka Holland

Writer (WGA):

Shelley Evans (written by)

Release Date:

19 June 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

He was just who she was.

Plot:

The true story of a young transgendered teen and his self discovery of living life as a woman.

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Transgender | Transsexual | Male To Female Transsexual | Based On True Story

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Rondel Reynoldson	...	Pediatrician
Mercedes Ruehl	...	Sylvia Guerrero
J.D. Pardo	...	Eddie / Gwen Araujo
Lupe Ontiveros	...	Mami
Henry Darrow	...	Papi
Corey Stoll	...	Joey Marino
Leela Savasta	...	Chita Araujo
Avan Jogia	...	Danny Araujo
Jacqueline Samuda	...	Angie
Zak Santiago	...	Carlos guerrero
Jay Brazeau
Hrothgar Mathews
Marilyn Norry	...	Dr. Martin
Tegan Moss	...	Lisa
Michael Dillman	...	Eddie at age 7

Also Known As:

Just a Girl: The Gwen Araujo Story (USA) (working title)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Company:

Braun Entertainment Group

Trivia:

Eddie Araujo took the name "Gwen" for her female identity after Gwen Stefani of No Doubt, her favorite singer.

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: The defense attorney noted that Joey had punched a wall and broke his hand after Sylvia had told him that Gwen was not really a female. A day or two after Sylvia tells him, a drunken Gwen walks along the fence of the construction site in which Joey was working; Joey walks up to the fence and you can clearly tell that none of his hands looked damaged in any way.

Quotes:

Sylvia Guerrero: [speaking to Eddie and Chita] You know what time I got up this morning? 4:30. I bet you didn't know that. I made the breakfast, did a laundry, I packed three lunches, I payed the bills and then I went to work. And do you know why?
[grabs Chita]
Sylvia Guerrero: Could I have your attention?
[grabs Eddie]
Sylvia Guerrero: Could I hve your attention? Do you know why? Because this life, is, exactly what you make it.

Soundtrack:

Vasilon

So many mistakes, such terrible tragedy as a result

6 stars out of 10

This film, based on a true story, tries hard, and it IS well told, but it is definitely NOT the best vehicle to carry the message of tolerance and acceptance.

I have friends who are transsexuals, so I do know people who have dealt with this problem in their lives. None of them, however, ever tried to deceive others in regards to themselves. Also, all of them eventually had sex reassignment surgery - something that was never even mentioned in this film. Nor was hormone treatment even mentioned.

So while I definitely have strong sympathy for transsexual people, Eddie's deceitfulness is not going to "win friends and influence people", as the old cliché goes.

Of course it is horribly wrong to mistreat someone simply because they are somewhat different from the mainstream group, and it certainly is past time that kind of thinking ended.

Nonetheless, there are also the realities of life, and Eddie/Gwen absolutely and totally refused to accept that. With Eddie/Gwen, it was "my way or the highway." This led him to a great deal of unnecessary suffering. A transsexual person can suffer enough without adding to their own woes.

The mother does come to accept Eddie as Gwen, but makes the huge mistake of turning her back on a therapist who could have offered a great deal of help to both herself and Eddie/Gwen.

How much more beneficial a film on this subject COULD have been if it had revolved around a character who was honest about himself---and tried to fit in, but was still discriminated against--now THAT kind of film could have possibly opened a few minds. As it is, many people who see this film aren't going to bother to look beyond Eddie's misrepresentation of himself to others.