Deciding on which lesbian films I would consider to be in the top 5 is sure to be a difficult choice for not only myself, but for any lesbian film lover. There are many elements that come to play for each movie. Sure, anyone can play a role, but can they really live it? Convincing the audience that there is more to the role than just a few lines and captivating the viewers is what breathes the life into many lesbian films today.

Oscar Award-winning Boys Don’t Cry is on my top five must see lesbian films list. Directed by Kimberly Pierce, the actors and actresses in this movie bring to life the true story of harassment and bigotry shown towards a transgender teen, Teena Brandon. Actress Hillary Swank (who won an Oscar for this role) portrays Teena, who has such great inner conflicts with herself and her sexuality, but eventually chooses to live her life as Brandon. Brandon, falls in love with Lana Tisdel, portrayed by Chloe Sevigny. Life proved to be difficult for Brandon, as he was living in rural Kansas in the early 1990s, and as a secretive transgender teen. Brandon moves in with his aunt and uncle, as the living situation with his father tends to be an unhealthy one. As Brandon’s aunt begins to notice that he is coming home late and eventually sees him with Lana in bed, she tries her best to “fix” the situation and discourages Brandon from such actions.

The powerful movie takes riveting turns thru Brandon and Lana’s relationship; including the inner turmoil that Brandon has on not telling Lana that he is really a girl. For Lana to find out the truth would be devastating, as he fears that he would not be loved anymore by his true love. Fights ensue throughout the movie as people become more and more suspicious of Brandon’s true identity. Ultimately, Brandon’s identity is discovered, which ends up being his demise at the end of the movie.

Knowing that Boy’s Don’t Cry was based on a true story about the search for following one’s soul, and the brutal injustices that were rendered, can bring anyone to the sad fact that there is still so much that needs to be done today for awareness. Although it may not be considered as a lesbian film as it could easily be a movie about a transgender teen, the awareness that the movie brought to the LGBT community can not be outdone. With such riveting movies as Boy’s Don’t Cry revealing the injustices that many teens and adults face in life, there is only sure to be much more lesbian-geared awareness in the movies ahead.

1999, 116 min

Country: US

Studio: Fox

Cast: Hilary Swank, Chloë Sevigny, Peter Sarsgaard, Brendan Sexton III, Alison Folland, Alicia Goranson, Matt McGrath

Director: Kimberly Peirce