BOYS DON'T CRY at the Paramount

We'd last seen this extraordinary and groundbreaking film in 1999 and were no less moved when we revisited it this evening at the Paramount.  Hilary Swank, Chloe Sevigny, and Peter Sarsgaard offer performances that are phenomenal in authenticity, courageous, bold, and bone chilling.  The story is of a teen (Brandon Teena) who transforms herself into a boy in rural Nebraska and catches hell throughout.  A young adult without a danger sensor, pushing the limits in the most violent and homophobic culture.  The abuse Brandon experiences is harrowing, but an authentic desire to love and live as a male is so pressing you admire his persistence in the face of sheer evil.  This film was directed by a woman, Kimberly Pierce, who wrote the film for her MFA thesis at Columbia.  We're all fortunate that a NY producer (also a woman) took interest and together they made this feature film.  This movie should be required viewing for anyone who works with youth. It is bold, truthful, and reminds us of the violence men choose when they are threatened.