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Boys Don't Cry
Boys Don't Cry
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Boys Don't Cry

Boys Don't Cry

1999
Romance, Drama
1h 58m
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... (imdb)

Directed by:

Kimberly Peirce

Screenwriter:

Kimberly Peirce, Andy Bienen

Starring:

Hilary Swank, Peter Sarsgaard, Brendan Sexton III, Alicia Goranson, Alison Folland, Jeannetta Arnette, Rob Campbell, Chloë Sevigny, Josh Ridgway

Genres:

Romance, Drama, Crime

Country:

USA

Language:

English
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Boys Don't Cry

1999
Romance, Drama
1h 58m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 60.57% from 3110 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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seanfunkseanfunk
Rated 04 Aug 2009
80
74th
It's easy to compare this to Brokeback but for me it's more brutal and Brandon is a such a misguided and lost soul that you want to reach out. Swank plays this amazingly well and I find that her performance pulls you around emotionally while never pushing you away totally. The metaphorical capacity of this story speaks to all of that have ever withheld something of ourselves from others but in this case there not a lesson to be learned as such. I enjoyed this more than the score is telling.
Rated 04 Aug 2009
mwgerbmwgerb
Rated 20 Apr 2012
64
75th
Hilary Swank is brilliant in her role as Brandon Teena, bringing the character fully to life, and emotionally connecting with the audience, which makes it that much harder to watch the inevitable conclusion slowly unfold.
Rated 20 Apr 2012
mertz109mertz109
Rated 27 Aug 2009
87
74th
A messed-up movie. But in the good way.
Rated 27 Aug 2009
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 27 Jun 2008
80
90th
Nice
Rated 27 Jun 2008
pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 03 May 2008
7
68th
Great buildup to a tragedy. The third act could be called shit hits the fan. Hilary Swank gives one of the best performances ever. But still, this movie disgusted me. That rape shit is so uncomfortable to watch. But hey, mission accomplished cause you know that's what they were going for. Also, in real life there was a black guy that was murdered too, guess they left him out cause it would've been too much of a clusterfuck.
Rated 03 May 2008
yilbyilb
Rated 30 Mar 2008
70
79th
Well done real life white trash in a slow anxiously depressing story. While i can applaud well done portraits of misery, i find them difficult to recommend.
Rated 30 Mar 2008
john_lockeJohn Locke
Rated 27 Feb 2008
80
24th
Hillary Swank is great. Just didn't care for the movie.
Rated 27 Feb 2008
fudgiebfudgieb
Rated 14 Aug 2007
81
46th
Gripping, disturbing...the kind of movie I'll never want to see again. But really good the first time.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
citysqwirlcitysqwirl
Rated 14 Aug 2007
87
89th
I was terror-stricken this entire journey and I don't want to see this movie again, but it was lovely in spots, heartbreaking, and searing.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
brrrpbrrrp
Rated 19 Feb 2024
75
76th
This was a real challenge. It's a really well made film, but how will we judge its excesses? I guess the question is about whether this is an exploitation film or no. But the feeling of being in a place between places, being beaten around the head is palpable. The two leads are both awesome in difficult roles. How much I like it is unclear, but strong film, particularly the first half.
Rated 19 Feb 2024
kadikoykadikoy
Rated 25 Sep 2022
75
83rd
Teena Brandon'un hayat hikayesi. Kendini erkek gibi hisseden Teena, gittiği yeni yerde, Lana aşık olur. Teena kadın olduğu ortaya çıkınca olaylar kötü 1 hal alır. Hilary Swank ve Chloe Sevigny'nin harika oynadığı film, eşcinsel filmler arasında ayrı 1 yerde duracak. Etkileyici, sarsıcı. Filmin sonunda, Brandon Teena öldürülüyor. Erkekler Ağlamaz. Sil göz yaşlarını.
Rated 25 Sep 2022
tinychristinychris
Rated 04 Jan 2021
17
96th
I did not expect this to be as brutal as it was.
Rated 04 Jan 2021
sylowisylowi
Rated 25 Aug 2018
85
72nd
Painful to watch but really good.
Rated 25 Aug 2018
qwershadyqwershady
Rated 25 Aug 2015
79
81st
rape and ending scene was very strong
Rated 25 Aug 2015
vengefulkbmVengefulKBM
Rated 11 Feb 2015
97
99th
As a transgender woman, this beautiful, tragic movie speaks to me in ways it can't really speak to most people. It's amazing that a movie this sensitive and honest about a subject that's misunderstood even today was made 16 years ago, far ahead of its time. Hilary Swank completely loses herself in Brandon Teena. Just amazing.
Rated 11 Feb 2015
zipsterZipster
Rated 25 Dec 2014
90
81st
The movie has fittingly been compared to In Cold Blood and Badlands, plugging a tough, objective reality into a dreamlike eloquence, but also showing a core romantic longing all its own. For such a painful tale, Peirce manages to soak it with many moments of extraordinary happiness, due to lots of poignant cinematic touches and the brilliant presence of Swank.
Rated 25 Dec 2014
johnsandwichJohnSandwich
Rated 11 Dec 2014
70
63rd
don't really rmember it needs rewatch
Rated 11 Dec 2014
midasoMidaso
Rated 28 Nov 2014
9
94th
Amazing film, I understand the way most view this film but as much as anything I look at it as a bleak depiction of the utter desolation and hopelessness of being stuck in a small town with little prospects
Rated 28 Nov 2014
shaunnn1212shaunnn1212
Rated 22 Jul 2014
100
90th
A tour-de-force of emotion, "Boys Don't Cry" showcases some of the best acting ever done on film. Hilary Swank and Chloe Sevigny are phenomenal.
Rated 22 Jul 2014
closedmouthclosedmouth
Rated 07 Jul 2014
90
89th
Simple, compelling, and disturbing. The only sour point for me is that there's no actual Cure songs on the soundtrack, just a shitty cover.
Rated 07 Jul 2014
glm01glm01
Rated 23 Mar 2014
82
71st
82.000
Rated 23 Mar 2014
ddrudgesd_drudges
Rated 27 Dec 2013
50
56th
It's an ok story and Hilary Swank manages a great performance despite the consistently weak characterizations. I know you'll have to bend the facts a little to make a filmable, entertaining story but in this case the blame for an epidemic problem falls too conveniently on two ex-convicts (you know how those are, right?) from Hicktown, Nebraska. Downplaying the role of the corrupt local police in the tradegy is a disgrace.
Rated 27 Dec 2013
nilooravaeinilooravaei
Rated 24 Dec 2013
78
44th
it was a well acted film, and interesting enough to keep you watching, but it was a REALLY bad film, and i don't mean that in terms of quality, but in terms of subject matter and plot. what the characters were going through didn't really make you sympathize with them, because you never develop that bond with any of the characters, it just made you cringe at the fact that such things actually happen in the world ... a really depressing movie.
Rated 24 Dec 2013
alienindieAlienIndie
Rated 28 Oct 2013
70
68th
I was really surprised I wasn't angry in the end, since the subject matter touches me personally. In that sense, the movie can be said to have failed big time. But I still don't want to give it a low score. I just say it could have been better.
Rated 28 Oct 2013
abunchofcatsABUNCHOFCATS
Rated 05 Sep 2013
85
68th
Fantastic performances from Hilary Swank and Peter Sarsgaard really make this movie. The movie would serve well to be a little shorter and I wish it had followed the facts more but Hollywood.
Rated 05 Sep 2013
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 27 Jul 2013
77
51st
There's not much I can point out as being wrong here. It's an interesting story with a compelling arc, and while you can sense the tragedy coming from the very start it handles things well. The performances are strong, particularly Swank who gives one of the best I've seen in a while. Despite all this good stuff, it just wasn't something that really drew me in or was particularly emotionally effective. The story is enough to make it worth watching, but as film it wasn't that special.
Rated 27 Jul 2013
braddad68braddad68
Rated 28 May 2013
92
65th
Great performance by Hilary Swank. Fairly depressing movie though.
Rated 28 May 2013
wezzoWezzo
Rated 02 Apr 2013
85
67th
Honest, unflinching, and genuine in its portrayal of transgender identity. It takes serious talent to make such a sensitive film about such a tough subject. Hilary Swank is astonishingly good, and the screenplay grips to the end.
Rated 02 Apr 2013
nepetaNepeta
Rated 05 Feb 2013
50
17th
In some regards very well-handled, but I can't stomach the sheer hatred shown in the final act.. hits too close to home..
Rated 05 Feb 2013
mattorama12mattorama12
Rated 08 Mar 2012
36
5th
This is probably a movie I should revisit. I hated it when I saw it, but my tastes have certainly developed since then...
Rated 08 Mar 2012
begoniabolbegoniabol
Rated 27 Feb 2012
76
72nd
Swank's performance as a male is very believable, damn! Pretty impressive what she pulled off. The ending is very depressing and quite hard to watch..
Rated 27 Feb 2012
mkellinsmkellins
Rated 14 Dec 2011
65
65th
Not the strongest film, but the highly convincing performances makes up for a lot of it. The film has a coherent atmosphere but occasionally the directing is very clumsy.
Rated 14 Dec 2011
majikatmajikat
Rated 10 Dec 2011
90
95th
This film left me utterly speechless, such an emotionally charged story based on real events. This has to be Hillary Swank's role of a lifetime, she obviously put everything into playing this part. This film is described as 'Powerful and shocking' which describes it perfectly, I felt the power of this film, for quite a while after watching.
Rated 10 Dec 2011
ilumosilumos
Rated 28 Apr 2011
95
98th
Fantastic film, very moving. Even more so if you read Brandon's wikipedia entry after the film's finished.
Rated 28 Apr 2011
matthew_parkinsonMatthew Parkinson
Rated 26 Mar 2011
80
89th
Boys Don't Cry is quite a good film. I can't necessarily say that it's an enjoyable one, or one that you will even like, but it's well-made and tells an important story. The acting is great, and because of that, you will likely care about the characters within it. It's a difficult watch, but it's a film that I would say is worth watching anyway.
Rated 26 Mar 2011
lady_moeLady Moe
Rated 11 Feb 2011
88
77th
Hilary Swank gives an exceptional performance as Brandon Teena, a girl who wishes to be a boy. This movie is all about being who you want to be. We all want to be accepted for who we are, but for some people it isn't easy. Sometimes we like to tell ourselves that our modern world is accepting. We tell ourselves "racism isn't prevalent anymore" and that "women are equal now" without actually looking at all the injustice that is still out there. Very upsetting, yet great film. Beautiful.
Rated 11 Feb 2011
caimancaiman
Rated 22 Jan 2011
87
85th
A terrifying portrait of the very real intolerance, violence, and simple-mindedness spewing from rural USA. Swank deserved her Oscar for this. I don't know of too many female actors who would put themselves through a role like this.
Rated 22 Jan 2011
glmglm
Rated 13 Jan 2011
84
77th
83.750
Rated 13 Jan 2011
hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 25 Sep 2010
72
86th
The ultimate train wreck. You can feel it coming but can't look away. Swank is excellent.
Rated 25 Sep 2010
tvfilm_hubTV+Film-Hub
Rated 02 Sep 2010
10
52nd
An emotionally charged/moving story about sexual confusion but by extension about life and it's struggle.
Rated 02 Sep 2010
blockrockerBlockrocker
Rated 02 Aug 2010
87
78th
Great casting :) The ending drops a few points for me.
Rated 02 Aug 2010
vreyVrey
Rated 19 Jul 2010
75
76th
i'd like to get into that guys pants. hardy har har.
Rated 19 Jul 2010
etherielEtheriel
Rated 13 Jul 2010
90
91st
Adorable story of young love. The headline element doesn't make itself a conflict until relatively late in the game, but, when it does, what follows feels like a real tragedy. Despite the rural Nebraska setting, there isn't an over-reliance on stereotypes.
Rated 13 Jul 2010
marianecmariane.c
Rated 07 Jul 2010
70
36th
Interesting.
Rated 07 Jul 2010
jamesdepaolojamesdepaolo
Rated 24 Jun 2010
83
73rd
the true story of Brandon Teena...this movie is very well acted and as much as I hate Hillary but she really fit the role..the movie is a touching drama that will stick with you..
Rated 24 Jun 2010
wicheWiche
Rated 14 Feb 2010
77
74th
Well-told, emotional and hard story. It makes you think about a lot of things, partly because you know these are things that really happen, things that have happened. Great acting.
Rated 14 Feb 2010
minusfiguresminusfigures
Rated 27 Jan 2010
10
94th
Heartbreaking and utterly compelling. I cry every time I watch it.
Rated 27 Jan 2010
freqflyerfreqflyer
Rated 07 Dec 2009
83
72nd
Touching movie about sexual identity confusion, bigoted hatred, and the blindness of true love. Swank does an incredible job of being an 'almost boy,' with a perfect touch of swagger and insecurity.
Rated 07 Dec 2009
scbmcmxcscbMCMXC
Rated 02 Dec 2009
94
96th
It was a great film, was also very emotional, top praise to Hilary.
Rated 02 Dec 2009
tripper54tripper54
Rated 29 Nov 2009
65
12th
i just didn't get this film. couldn't wait for it to end.
Rated 29 Nov 2009
pigletPiglet
Rated 25 Jul 2009
78
87th
The protagonist does a lot of really stupid decisions, but you can't help but feel for him/her. A well deserved breakthrough performance by Swank and Sarsgaard.
Rated 25 Jul 2009
thursday555thursday555
Rated 03 Jul 2009
87
92nd
This film brought out some pretty strong emotions and stayed with me for a long time afterwards.
Rated 03 Jul 2009
ruderude
Rated 08 Jun 2009
60
33rd
"Boys Don't Cry" puts a face on white trash, which is like putting a face on baby seal clubbing.
Rated 08 Jun 2009
sumanaustinsuman.austin
Rated 05 Jun 2009
87
88th
This was my first Hilary Swank movie. I knew that she was an Oscar winning actress but I had not yet seen her. I also knew nothing about the story of the movie. The first 30-40 minutes of the movie I spent searching who was Hilary Swank, then I searched on the internet and figured out. I was astonished by her performance and also ashamed about my stupidity.
Rated 05 Jun 2009
melvin_smifMelvin Smif
Rated 06 Feb 2009
70
79th
Swank is just incredible in this film, suffers a mite from some pacing issues but its hardly noticeable.
Rated 06 Feb 2009
turinturin
Rated 29 Jan 2009
70
66th
Great performance of Hilary Swank
Rated 29 Jan 2009
willxcorewillxcore
Rated 02 Jan 2009
79
53rd
A little drawn out through most of the beginning and middle of the film but the tension runs high as you await the inevitable reveal. Admittedly I thought more highly of this after learning it was based on actual events, although I hate to fall into that cliche and chose not to raise my initial rating too much based on that fact.
Rated 02 Jan 2009
determinist1determinist1
Rated 15 Nov 2008
80
16th
A great story, but the "movie" was alright.
Rated 15 Nov 2008
delirium9Delirium9
Rated 15 Sep 2008
95
82nd
Solid acting throughout.
Rated 15 Sep 2008
ofallpiecesofallpieces
Rated 01 Jun 2008
78
50th
Hilary Swank delivers a convincing performance in a heartfelt movie about gender identity and the trouble that a crossed identity can get you in. It was a hard role to pull off, but she managed to do it.
Rated 01 Jun 2008
rrevellrrevell
Rated 30 Apr 2008
82
39th
Hillary Swank is not my favorite actress, but she did a good job in this one.
Rated 30 Apr 2008
cinematicespCinematicESP
Rated 14 Nov 2007
78
42nd
This film really pulls you in and tugs on your heart strings a bit. A well-deserved Oscar for Best Actress.
Rated 14 Nov 2007
merhellermerheller
Rated 19 Oct 2007
85
72nd
hard to watch, but beautifully acted
Rated 19 Oct 2007
bleepnikbleepnik
Rated 14 Sep 2007
88
94th
A film I hated to watch, but had to be made, and must be seen.
Rated 14 Sep 2007
taleaTalea
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
89th
Powerful, painful true story. I cried buckets.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
richsheridanrichsheridan
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
43rd
Watching movies like this about unbelievable violence wreaked upon those who are different, convinces one of the existence of real and true evil in the world. This is a heartbreaking movie.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
vincentevincente
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
73rd
null
Rated 14 Aug 2007
imperialistIMPERIALIST
Rated 14 Aug 2007
97
91st
It's quite emotional and painful to watch, and I'm hardly moved by movies. A very good film, well executed in telling a story of someone who's out of the norm in search of love, validation, etc only to be met with ridicule and a very tragic ending.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
spoonerspotspoonerspot
Rated 14 Aug 2007
77
45th
Terrible tragedy. Decent movie
Rated 14 Aug 2007
jacobkoshjacobkosh
Rated 03 Aug 2007
78
42nd
Relentlessly pessimistic but leavened by some gorgeous if sinister rural countryside. Swank's performance is firstrate.
Rated 03 Aug 2007
juicejuice
Rated 26 May 2007
40
17th
Depressing.
Rated 26 May 2007
spunkieSpunkie
Rated 30 Mar 2007
55
52nd
Top level acting, mediocre film.
Rated 30 Mar 2007
chipleChiple
Rated 23 Mar 2007
70
38th
great plot, nice screenshots, inventive acting
Rated 23 Mar 2007
teddedonTedDedon
Rated 18 Mar 2007
79
57th
Intense and emotionally engaging, not to mention well acted by Hilary Swank. This is a great movie that can be appreciated on a lot of levels. Highly recommendable.
Rated 18 Mar 2007
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 01 Mar 2007
60
62nd
Good film.
Rated 01 Mar 2007
hojohojo
Rated 20 Feb 2007
50
17th
Gay as hell.
Rated 20 Feb 2007

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