Transamerica

[MarieTS]

I'm curious as to what everyone's reactions were to David Letterman's interview of Desperate Housewive's star Felicity Huffman last night? The interview was focussed around her role in the newly released movie TransAmerica in which she plays an M-to-F transexual. The movie appears to be very good. During the interview Ms. Huffman came across as being very enlightened and empathetic to the challenges of TS's. Letterman seemed to be somewhat interested in learning about TS, but of course he had to throw in a few of his barbs to try and get a laugh. It was the conduct of his goofy looking (and even goofier acting) band leader that bothered me the most. He made fun of our plight. Oh well. Anyway, the one short clip of the movie they showed during the interview makes me think the rest of the film may be worth seeing.

[Julie]

On one of the Chicago based forums I saw some pretty good reviews about the movie. The director knows a TS very well and was really taken by her life and the lives of other TSs. He said he could make movies about nothing but TSs from now until the day he dies and not even scratch the surface. I'm going to wait until it's a DVD then buy it. Just another to add to my collection. :bs:

As for Letterman, what did you expect. The ignorant always make fun of what they fear.

[barbarajeanne]

I think you girls missed the point. While it was clear that Letterman was uncomfortable and tried to be funny, he also did give the movie and the issues more than the usual 30 seconds. Also, he seemed to allow Felicity Huffman plenty of opportunity to talk about the issue. This isn't the Oprah show so all in all not that bad. Just one girls opinion.

[KatieKaboodle]

It's better than the Jerry Springer stuff. I still think it took guts for Felicity to play Bree, and give her props for wanting to show the character in a somewhat truthful way instead of the stereotypes of TS people that the media normally portrays.

I'm still miffed that I can't seem to find 'Transamerica' in a local theater. Me & my g/f would see it if it were, and I'm sure a lot of other people around here would as well. *sigh* Hopefully, now that Felicity has been nominated for a SAG (Screen Actor's Guild) award for this movie, maybe it'd be more likely to run in places where TS issues are still taboo.

Oh... and hi. I'm new and posted in the Introduction forum... so... hi.

Katie

[Frances]

I saw Transamerica over the holidays in NYC with my SO. Very good protrayal of the subject, no sensationalism unlike the Nip/Tuck season finale. The actors were fantastic and some real people from the community appeared in the movie, such as Andrea James and Calpernia Addams. More importantly it provided an opening for deeper discussions into the subject of my dysphoria.

Frances

[Alison Michelle]

I just checked near me and the only place showing it is the "Bridge" in San Francisco. May be the largest G,L,TG comunity in the country and only one theater. Go figure.

[Rachel Ann]

I just checked near me and the only place showing it is the "Bridge" in San Francisco. May be the largest G,L,TG community in the country and only one theater. Go figure.
I'm still miffed that I can't seem to find 'Transamerica' in a local theater ... now that Felicity has been nominated for a SAG (Screen Actor's Guild) award for this movie, maybe it'd be more likely to run in places where TS issues are still taboo.It may just be economics. A friend of mine makes (feature-length) indie films and tells me that getting them shown in chain multiplexes is just murder.

The Bridge is an “alternative” theater, so it is always looking for movies like this. I saw it the other day there and was quite impressed. I expected it to be a “one trick pony” but it's a quite complex and layered story with many characters and a lot of fine acting and directing.

Huffman’s performance was exceptional – early in the tale she showed a lot of subtle “readable” traits but slowly lost them as the story unfolded. It must have been a very difficult character for her to learn.


While it was clear that Letterman was uncomfortable and tried to be funny, he also did give the movie and the issues more than the usual 30 seconds. Also, he seemed to allow Felicity Huffman plenty of opportunity to talk about the issue.I agree. We are starting to get more respectful and positive media attention. But, we still have to remember that the Lettermans and others in the industry need a little time to reach a level of knowledge of, and comfort with, TG/TS. After all, we ourselves are still trying to figure some of it out.

I didn't think that Letterman was mean, just awkward and at sea re: what to say and what would play (the first concern of someone in that position). He is supposed to be a funnyman, after all.

[MarieTS]

Rachel Ann, I think you're post is pretty much right on the money. Thanks. I sure wish I could find the movie around here. It's not playing anywhere. I understand your comment about the cineplex's, yet the BrokeBack Mountain flick is everywhere. Go figure :(

[Rachel Ann]

I understand your comment about the cineplex's, yet the BrokeBack Mountain flick is everywhere. Go figure :(Thanks, Marie.

I don’t know the details re: those two movies’ backers. But I do know that you need more than great connections - you need big angels. Theaters just won't show your movie if you don't pay to advertise it. It costs many millions to advertise nationwide. And that is after you have just sunk a fortune in to production and don’t have a dime to show for it yet.

My friend has been struggling for three years to get his very charming film (also featuring Graham Greene) off the indie circuit and in to the mass market.
http://www.crossdressers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17169 (http://www.crossdressers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17169) It doesn’t seem to matter whom you know or how many awards you win, it’s all about the money.

Then again, things that fizzle out in the mainstream theater market turn up more quickly in video rental.

[Marlena Dahlstrom]

FYI, Transamerica is scheduled to go into wider distribution Jan. 20, although it will still be the top 20 markets.

But I wouldn't be surprised if it gradually goes into wider distribution -- it's a classic "word of mouth" distribution strategy, plus if (as likely) Huffman gets an Oscar nomination, they'll be able to leverage the free publicity, since I'm sure there's not a huge advertising budget. Another part of the economics, is that costs money for make a print for every theater a movie gets shown at, so indie films tend to open small and only incur the costs of a wider release if it looks like they'll be profitable.

FYI, "Brokeback" had a marquee (and bankable) director as well as two big name stars and at least one well-known writer, which is why it got wider distribution. Let's face it, if Felicity Huffman hadn't landed "Desparate Housewives" after being cast in "Transamerica," "Transamerica" probably would've played some festivals and maybe gotten into a few select theaters in NY, LA and SF for a week or two.

[MarieTS]

Marlena and Rachel Ann-- Thanks for your insights! Yep, you're both certainly right about the power of big bucks in Hollywood... it's kinda like Cubba Gooding's famous line out of Jerry McQuire... "Show me the money!" :bs:
Unfortunately, I bet you are as right as Seattle rain that if it weren't for Felicity Huffman's new found popularity, Transamerica may very well have wound up on the cutting room floor. Although I bet more than a few of us could play the part, huh?!?! ;)

[Di]

I can not wait to see it. Felicity Huffman was on the view last week...it sounds fantastic. It was directed by her hubby....the clips were very good as well

[terza]

transamerica is not out on "wide release" until jan 20th.
there is plenty of buzz about it and i think it will play
in as many theathers as Brokeback.
Brokeback is a piece of work that have so much to say
about its topic. it is a great film to see and digest... you'll get plenty full.
brokeback was shot for 13million and is not wasted hollywood's tripe.

i can't stand huffman from desperate housewife -- she is really ugly --
i would have been interested if the film used a REAL transexual. but as is,
i'm not.

well there is also "breakfast on pluto" that is out or soon to release.

[Deidra Cowen]

I can't wait to see it, ought to help put a more postive spin on how the public views us. We are trying to get a group of girls together to go see it this weekend. Should be fun!

[Marlena Dahlstrom]

From Huffman's Golden Globe Award acceptance speech:


"I know as actors our job is usually to shed our skins, but I think as people our job is to become who we really are, and so I would like to salute the men and women who brave ostracism, alienation and a life lived on the margins to become who they really are."

:thumbsup:

[KatieKaboodle]

I still can't believe that Felicity won Best Actress for it!! This bodes well for the Oscar!

Personally, I think it would be great to have a second transgender movie get an Academy award (the first, of course, being Hillary Swank in "Boys Don't Cry"). I think the more that TG's/TS's are portrayed in the media in a positive light, the more discussion it will bring, and the more we can communicate our own experiences.

And before anyone makes the comment about Teena Brandon/Brandon Teena, I am well aware that he wrote bad checks and broke the law, etc. But the movie itself is a wonderful telling of his tale, and it creates discussion. So... yeah...

Katie

[CaptLex]

Hey, Marlena:

I loved that speech (I blew her a kiss for it). Anything portraying us positively is good. We should encourage the studios to continue to show us with respect by at least watching the movie. Now that Felicity won, I hope it will be available in more theaters and more people will be curious enough to show up at the box office. :clap: I know it was only available in one theater here in NYC, so I hope to catch it soon before it's gone forever.


i can't stand huffman from desperate housewife -- she is really ugly --
i would have been interested if the film used a REAL transexual. but as is,
i'm not

Wow, terza, I think that's pretty harsh . . . you don't want to see the movie because you find her unattractive? :eek:

[Natalie x]

I guess it will eventually arrive in Britain around about 2008, then. Oh well, just have to be patient.

[Marlena Dahlstrom]

Now that Felicity won, I hope it will be available in more theaters and more people will be curious enough to show up at the box office.

It's due to go into a wider release this weekend -- top 20 markets, I believe -- although with the Golden Globe win and Oscar buzz, I suspect it might go into additional markets.

[Joanne08]

I caught the Golden Globe Award speech by Huffman as well. Was in mixed company at the time but I wanted to stand up and applause!! Congratulations Felicity Huffman.


Love, Jo

[Rachel Ann]

:clap: La Huffman! :cool: For the speech and for her portrayal.


And before anyone makes the comment about Teena Brandon/Brandon Teena, I am well aware that he wrote bad checks and broke the law, etc. But the movie itself is a wonderful telling of his tale, and it creates discussion. So... yeah...Committing certain crimes does not necessarily make you a bad person. The tale is to be told and each person must draw their own conclusions. Ditto for actors/actresses, and other entertainers. Their art is to be separated from their personal character.

The family registered complaints about the portrayal of Teena/Brandon, but these may have really been about money. Apparently, once you have been in the news, you lose all rights to your name and image, and how they are depicted. However, people with a lot of money seem to have a magical way around this. :angry:



I caught the Golden Globe Award speech by Huffman as well. Was in mixed company at the time but I wanted to stand up and applaud!!Acceptance is a slow process. I got some raised eyebrows just for mentioning that I had seen the film. :rolleyes:



Wow, terza, I think that's pretty harsh . . . you don't want to see the movie because you find her unattractive? :eek:Amen to that!

[Donna tv]

Thank you Marie for directing me to your thread, I was beginning to think no one cared or had any opinions. Cudo's from me as well for Felicity however I just can't seem to think that most of the "general" public would have much intrest other than treating this movie like another Mrs. Doubtfire or Tootsie. I think this movie strikes a cord with all of us here, I just hope it gets enough recognition to advance to our cities

[MarieTS]

You're very welcome, Donna. I'm Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for your input. Like you, I hope it will appear in our theatres sooooon.

[Wendi {LI NY}]

Hi Girls ,,
I seen transamerica last month in tribeka NYC ..It was showing for genderpac and there was a after party . It was shown in Robert Denaro Tri Breka film festval theater .. The Movie was not GREAT ,it was FAB,Wonderful ,a true to life film! Felicity Hoffman played a very beleiveble part and there was transwomen and men in the movie too . A fewgood friends had few bit parts in the movie . My great friend Binaca Lee who is a trans -women was wonderful in playing a southern transgender women that was having a party in the movie.. She was also at the after-party too.
Well go see this movie ,you will love it ! hugs,Wendi:thumbsup: :clap:

[CaptLex]

My great friend Binaca Lee who is a trans -women was wonderful in playing a southern transgender women that was having a party in the movie.. She was also at the after-party too. Well go see this movie ,you will love it ! hugs,Wendi:thumbsup: :clap:

Finally got to see the movie last night and it was excellent! I highly recommend it to everyone. Fortunately, it did open in a few more theaters here this weekend and the theater I went to was sold out, so that's very encouraging. Hopefully, through word-of-mouth, more people will hear about it and want to see it.

Wendi, your friend was great - loved the party scene. ;) In fact, I thought the whole cast was great. Well done, everyone. I've got my fingers crossed for an Oscar nom for Felicity. :clap:

[Tamara Croft]

I watched it a couple of nights ago. I didn't know that a real female played the character.. the c**k scene was pretty realistic, had me fooled. Not much of a storyline, but it did portray a TS pretty well. I did some research after the film only to find she is in desperate housewives and looks pretty different all glammed up ;)

[Marlena Dahlstrom]

I just saw Transamerica last night and Huffman did a brilliant performance, definitely outshining the movie, which is the cliched sort of indie "road movie" that's been done to death (apparently in a world where no one's ever heard of interstate highways). But as the director has said in interviews, it's really not a movie about transsexualism. It's about an individual finding herself and learning to connect to others.

At the start of the movie, Bree has let her fears marginalize herself. (Of course there's no telling what she went through prior to the first act.) But Bree seemingly has constructed a protective bubble around herself. She works as dishwasher (where she doesn't need to interact with anyone and the restaurants staff only speaks to her in Spanish, which she only marginly understands) and as a telemarketer, where she's just a voice on the phone. One reviewer asutely commented that her heavy make-up, which she shouldn't need any more after electrolysis, was a form of armor. (It's notable that as Bree comes out of her shell, the make-up becomes lighter.) While she makes a reference to having friends, there's no evidence that she has any -- the only person she ever calls for advice during the trip is her therapist. In interviews Huffman has said Bree's wardrobe is so bad in part because Bree does all her shopping via catalog, so she won't have to interact with sales people. As one reviewer said: "this heroine would just as soon not be watched, for fear of being truly seen." In short, by distancing herself from others, she's minimized the chance she can be hurt -- but also the chance that she can be loved.

By the end of the movie, she's learned not how to be a woman, but to be a multi-dimensional person. I think Huffman summed it up nicely in this interview:


"She's a freak," Huffman said of Bree fondly. "Not because she is transgender but because she's trying to fit herself into this image of what she thinks a woman is. She can't just let herself be who she is. Until the end. When she does, a little."

I also liked how the movie touched on how transitioning isn't a magic bullet -- afterwards you're still "you." While the therapist refusing to sign Bree's letter to greenlight surgery is really just a McGuffin to get the plot rolling, there is a certain amount of plausibility to it. Not that Bree needs to bail out her son as a prequisite for GRS per se, rather her reaction of trying to sweep it under the rug indicates that she hadn't yet accepted that she wouldn't be able to leave her past behind.

For those of us within the TG spectrum, there's more than few details in the film to quibble over. For example, if Bree is as broke as she's supposed to be, she'd be going to Thailand, not having her surgery done locally (although to me this was an acceptable bit of dramatic license, since it was necessary for a crucial scene). Likewise, it's dubious that Bree wouldn't know what a GG is, but it's just one of those things necessary to explain things to a lay audience.

The one unfortunate thing is that since so few movies have been made about TSs, Bree may be taken as emblematic of TSs rather than an individual who happens to be TS and that her personality isn't reflective of TSs collectively. But even though she's a flawed character (as are most of the characters in the movie) she's a deeply sympathetic character.

A couple thoughts on the audience. The theater was half full (mostly couples from what I could see) -- not bad for a Sunday night and at the end the audience gave a rousing round of applause. There were gasps when Huffman's prosthetic (named Andy) was revealed -- in a key scene in which another character learns Bree's secret -- but part of it may have just been that Andy was a bit big boy and audience aren't used to full-frontal male nudity.

FYI there's an interesting interview (http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/living/13678263.htm) with the director among other tidbits, he said, he considered casting a TS actress but couldn't find one with the acting chops, or who were willing to come out deep stealth, to play the part.

As far as the casting, I've heard some griping elsewhere about not casting a TS, but I think it's worth considering what Betty (the TG partner of Helen Boyd, author of "My Husband Betty" and actor herself) said on the issue:



What I really wanted to comment on was this notion of "acting" that's been bandied about here. You see, you can't play being a transexual. It's not possible. Or being a hunchback. Or blind. Anymore than you can play being angry. Or sad. Or happy. Those are things that describe a character but they don't define a character.

What you play is a person. Now, a person may be trans or blind or a hunchback. Or a happy blind transexual hunchback. But what you're really playing is a person who happens to have those characteristics.

Truly, being blind or trans or a happy hunchback will have an effect on a person's outlook on life. No question. But... it's the person you play. Not the characteristics.

Which is why I never had a problem with FH being cast. She's a really good actress. And, for me, talent should always win out. Because a talented actor will find the person and play that. Not the characteristics.

[Rachel Ann]

... It's notable that as Bree comes out of her shell, the make-up becomes lighter. ... Huffman has said Bree's wardrobe is so bad in part because Bree does all her shopping via catalog ...
I was struck by how at the beginning, when Bree was giving lots of attention to her makeup and clothes, Huffman played her with a lot of "clunky" readable traits. But later in the film, when the character had lost access to a change of clothes or a bath for a few days, Huffman began playing her as much softer and more naturally feminine. :)

You write an excellent movie review, Marlena!

[MarieTS]

Well, now I get to answer my own thead :) However, in some respects the movie left me with more questions than answers.

* For starters, the Doctor's remark that "Gender Dysphoria is classified as a serious mental illness," really through me for a loop. I never thought we were crazy, but apparently the medical establsihment does?!?

* I wish a few minutes was spent with Bre talking about the gender conflicts she endued throughout her life. The dilogue with her therapist and her sister provided ample opportunity to do this. The viewers would have come awy with a bit more understanding of the trials endured by TS beginning with childhood . Other than Bre's comment to her mom, "You never had a son," the film did not allude to his/her struggles to reconcile who she was growing up.

* I found her to be overly awkward in the basic routines of life given she had already experienced a significant RLT. But I guess the film was trying to chart the transformational progress for the viewers.

* Does anyone have any thoughts as to why she was so stand-offish with the TS folk in Texas? Now, I can understand why she initially panicked with her son there, she feared he would find out about her, etc. I felt reallly bad for her in that situation.

* Great job showing Bre's commitiment and need to have her SRS. But I was really thrown for a loop by the comment she made to her therapist while recovering in the hospital following her operation. She said in a fit of tears, "I F----d up." Now, will someone who saw the movie please help me with this, because I'm at a loss of exactly what she felt she f----d up on. Was she saying she screwed-up by having the operation? Was she regretting that? Was she implying she should have remained a male and stayed with her one-time girl friend in order to raise her wayward son?

Overall, I feel the film was an excellent demonstration of the seemingly never-ending barriers TS face in life.

[Marlena Dahlstrom]

For starters, the Doctor's remark that "Gender Dysphoria is classified as a serious mental illness," really through me for a loop. I never thought we were crazy, but apparently the medical establsihment does?!?

"Gender dysphoria" is listed in the DSM-IV-TR, which is the standard diagnosic reference used by U.S. therapists, although there are a number of specialists in the transgender field who are lobbied to have it removed from the next revision (similar to how homosexuality was declassifed as a mental illness).


I found her to be overly awkward in the basic routines of life given she had already experienced a significant RLT. But I guess the film was trying to chart the transformational progress for the viewers.

In interviews Huffman has said she was trying to show Bree was "in transition." Also as I mentioned in my review, she'd sort of isolated herself.


Does anyone have any thoughts as to why she was so stand-offish with the TS folk in Texas? Now, I can understand why she initially panicked with her son there, she feared he would find out about her, etc. I felt reallly bad for her in that situation.

Imagine you brought your family to somewhere and it unexpectedly turned out to be a CD/TG/TS event -- assuming you're not out to them. You'd probably panic as well, even if they wouldn't necessarily connect it to you. Also, Bree is such a prude (remember, she's (almost) a 40-year-old virgin) that the references to sex probably freaked her out as well. Admittedly, I thought the scene was a bit over the top -- incorporating pretty much everything that she was uncomfortable with.


Great job showing Bre's commitiment and need to have her SRS. But I was really thrown for a loop by the comment she made to her therapist while recovering in the hospital following her operation. She said in a fit of tears, "I F----d up." Now, will someone who saw the movie please help me with this, because I'm at a loss of exactly what she felt she f----d up on. Was she saying she screwed-up by having the operation? Was she regretting that? Was she implying she should have remained a male and stayed with her one-time girl friend in order to raise her wayward son?

Avast! Potential spoiler alert
To me it was pretty clear she was regretting not telling her son upfront -- which is what her theraptist had wanted her to do. Without giving the movie away to those who haven't see it, remember what the son had done and why he was undoubtedly freaked out about it. So she'd finally opened up to someone, but now, because of her deception, she thought she'd never she'd never see him again. Plus, she was finally realized that GRS wasn't going to magically change her life for the better. As her therapist said at the beginning, she was still going to be the same person she was, just with different genitals.

[Maria D]

"Gender dysphoria" is listed in the DSM-IV-TR, which is the standard diagnosic reference used by U.S. therapists, although there are a number of specialists in the transgender field who are lobbied to have it removed from the next revision (similar to how homosexuality was declassifed as a mental illness).

It's classified as a mental illness in the U.K. too. From our point of view, really annoying. From a 'normal' point of view, it kinda makes sense. I mean, think what we want, from their point of view. I don't think I'm crazy, but I do think I'm abnormal. If I could be given drugs as done for, say, depression, to make this go away, I'd take the drugs.

Anyway, enough off topic. I hope it comes out near me.

xxx

[IAMDONNA]

It was my pleasure to see Transamerica last evening with a group of friends. I think it was a good movie, deserving of praise for the acting and subject. I believe it only scratches the surface and that so many stories need to be told. I would hope that it raises enough awareness that it brings more film on the subject. It's time to make people aware that TG's are people too. That in most cases we are as valuable to society as anyone else. Let's hope that it wins an award or two and goes out for distribution to the major theatres. I for one would see it again.:thumbsup:

Hugs to all
Donna

[TaraB]

I think you girls missed the point. While it was clear that Letterman was uncomfortable and tried to be funny, he also did give the movie and the issues more than the usual 30 seconds. Also, he seemed to allow Felicity Huffman plenty of opportunity to talk about the issue. This isn't the Oprah show so all in all not that bad. Just one girls opinion.


completely agree.


he's a comedian who makes light of any subject....so what did people expect??

[Rachel Ann]

It's classified as a mental illness in the U.K. too.
Then again, this is a society that treats pregnancy as a disability. Diagnoses get fudged all the time for insurance purposes too - but there is that pesky stigma. :angry: