Boys Don't Cry (1999)
- Starring:
- Hilary Swank, Chloƫ Sevigny, (more)
- Director(s):
- Kimberly Peirce
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R
- Category:
- Independent Films
My RatingTheatrical Release Information | See Details About All Versions
Based on a true story, this drama was adapted from the life of Brandon Teena, born Teena Brandon, a woman who chose to live her life as a man and suffered tragic consequences as a result. In 1993, 20-year-old Brandon (Hilary Swank) leaves Lincoln, Nebraska for the nearby community of Falls City, where she sports a crew cut, favors jeans and boots, and is regarded as a man by most of the people in town. While Brandon's friend Lonny (Matt McGrath) warns her that sexual outsiders aren't looked upon kindly in Falls City, she develops a reputation for being something of a ladies' man, and is soon living with a single mother named Candace (Alicia Goranson). But when Brandon meets teenage Lana (Chloe Sevigny), the two become romantically involved almost immediately. Brandon makes friends with Lana's mother (Jeanetta Arnette) and a burly ex-con named John (Peter Sarsgaard). John and his buddy Tom (Brendan Sexton) run with a rough group of men who like to drink and carouse, and they accept Brandon as one of their own. However, when Brandon ends up in jail on a traffic violation, her secret comes out, and, while Lana stands by Brandon's side, John and Tom feel betrayed -- and their anger soon boils over into violence. A distinguished feature debut for director Kimberly Peirce, Boys Don't Cry was enthusiastically received in its showings at 1999 film festivals in Venice, Toronto, and New York. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 116 mins
Complete Cast:
- Hilary Swank - Brandon Teena
- Peter Sarsgaard - John
- Alison Folland - Kate
- Matt McGrath - Lonny
- Jeanetta Arnette - Lana's Mom
- Chloƫ Sevigny - Lana
- Brendan Sexton III - Marvin Thomas 'Tom' Nissen
- Alicia Goranson - Candace
- Rob Campbell - Brian
- Lou Perryman - Sheriff
- Director(s):
- Kimberly Peirce
- Writer(s):
- Andy Bienen, Kimberly Peirce
- Producer(s):
- Eva Kolodner, John Hart, Jeff Sharp
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R(Profanity, Nudity, Violence, Not For Children, Rape & Sexual Abuse, Sexual Situations, Substance Abuse)
- Categories:
- Independent Films
- Closed Captioning:
- Check All Versions
- Subtitles:
- Check All Versions
- 1999 - Boys Don't Cry - Broadcast Film Critics Association - Best Actress
- 1999 - Boys Don't Cry - Chicago Film Critics Association - Best Supporting Actress
- 1999 - Boys Don't Cry - Chicago Film Critics Association - Best Actress
- 1999 - Boys Don't Cry - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
- 1999 - Boys Don't Cry - Independent Spirit Awards - Best Supporting Actress
- 1999 - Boys Don't Cry - Independent Spirit Awards - Best Actress
- 1999 - Boys Don't Cry - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Actress
- 1999 - Boys Don't Cry - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Supporting Actress
- 1999 - Boys Don't Cry - National Board of Review - Best Breakthrough Performance by an Actress
- 1999 - Boys Don't Cry - National Board of Review - Best Directorial Debut
- 1999 - Boys Don't Cry - National Society of Film Critics - Best Actress - Runner-up
- 1999 - Boys Don't Cry - National Society of Film Critics - Best Supporting Actress
- 1999 - Boys Don't Cry - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Actress
- 1999 - Boys Don't Cry - Toronto Film Critics Association - Best Actress







