Friday, 10th April 2015
I remember the first time I watched Boys Don't Cry (1999), I was watching it with my girlfriend at the time, back when I identified as a lesbian. Long before I knew I was trans, before I even knew what a trans man was. I remember watching it and as the sad story unfolded, I sobbed. I was surrounded by damp loo roll and reaching for more when my girlfriend turned scathingly and said "Why are you upset? It's not even real!". When I found out it was based on real events I felt that my tears were even more justified.
It would be poetic to say that something about the film touched me because I'm trans, that it awakened something within me, but it didn't, it was many years before I even started to come to terms with my transition. Instead, what's beautiful about this film, what touched me then and still affects me now is Brandon's burning desire to be himself, despite the danger he faced by doing so.
The desire to be free, to be yourself, is key in all of us. Most of the population is lucky enough that who they want to be conforms to the social norms that we live within, but for some of us it's not that easy.
This is a film for everyone who has ever felt as if they don't fit so easily into the boxes presented to us. It is a classic for a reason and I recommend watching it; but whatever your gender identity, it's probably worth having tissues to hand.
Rating: 5*
Written by Jack Davies
Trade Community Writer
