Boys Don't Cry (1999)

A young man named Brandon Teena navigates love, life, and being transgender in rural Nebraska.

Director:

Kimberly Peirce

Writers:

Kimberly Peirce, Andy Bienen

Stars:

Hilary Swank, Chloë Sevigny, Peter Sarsgaard

Won 1 Oscar. Another 49 wins & 38 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hilary Swank	...	Brandon Teena
Chloë Sevigny	...	Lana Tisdel
Peter Sarsgaard	...	John Lotter
Brendan Sexton III	...	Tom Nissen
Alicia Goranson	...	Candace
Alison Folland	...	Kate
Jeannetta Arnette	...	Lana's Mom
Rob Campbell	...	Brian
Matt McGrath	...	Lonny
Cheyenne Rushing	...	Nicole
Robert Prentiss	...	Trucker
Josh Ridgway	...	Kwik Stop Cashier
Craig Erickson	...	Trucker in Kwik Stop
Stephanie Sechrist	...	April
Jerry Haynes	...	Judge

Storyline

Based on actual events. Brandon Teena is the popular new guy in a tiny Nebraska town. He hangs out with the guys, drinking, cussing, and bumper surfing, and he charms the young women, who've never met a more sensitive and considerate young man. Life is good for Brandon, now that he's one of the guys and dating hometown beauty Lana; however, he's forgotten to mention one important detail. It's not that he's wanted in another town for GTA and other assorted crimes, but that Brandon Teena was actually born a woman named Teena Brandon. When his best friends make this discovery, Brandon's life is ripped apart.

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Plot Keywords:

transgender | prejudice | sexual assault | sex | based on true story | 

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Taglines:

A true story about finding the courage to be yourself.

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence including an intense brutal rape scene, sexuality, language and drug use

Did You Know?

Trivia

Kimberly Peirce directed this feature film four years after making the short film Boys Don't Cry (1995) which dealt with the same subject.

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Goofs

At Brandon's birthday party, John sits down by Brandon, and Brandon's cigarette jumps from behind his left ear to his right and back between shots.

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Quotes

Dave - Deputy: Miss Brandon? Miss Brandon, we ran your Charles Behrman ID through to the computer, and this is what the Lincoln authorities faxed us over. You tell me.
Brandon: Wow... This Teena chick's pretty messed up.

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Crazy Credits

Thanks to ... everyone who volunteered to speak about his or her experiences and help with research.

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Alternate Versions

The USA version originally garnered an NC-17 from the MPAA. The film was cut and re-rated R. The European version reportedly is uncut.

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Connections

Spoofed in Family Guy: Boys Do Cry (2007)

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Soundtracks

Haunt
Written by Roky Erickson
Performed by Roky Erickson
Published by Orb Music Co./Bleib (as Bleid) Alien Saucer Publishing (ASCAP)
Courtesy of Roky Erickson

User Reviews

Everybody should watch that movie

I just watched Boys don´t cry, and I am really sad about what I saw here. It is so hard to understand that there are still people out there (in America) who feel threatened if there is a queer, transsexual or just DIFFERENT person.... Hillary Swank´s outstanding,natural performance among the other great ones... the beautiful scenery and great music... the realistic setting of a hick, disillusioned village ... it all comes together to have created a wonderful, touching film that should everybody make thoughtful about why they don´t like some other people or what kind of prejudices they have.... watch that film!!

Details

Official Sites:

Fox Searchlight

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 March 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Take It Like a Man

Filming Locations:

USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$73,720, 10 October 1999

Gross USA:

$11,540,607

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$11,540,607

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox Searchlight Pictures, The Independent Film Channel Productions, Killer Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1