Transamerica
By Mal Simons, Blockbuster.co.uk
“My body may be a work-in-progress, but there is nothing wrong with my soul.”
Felicity Huffman leaves the glamour of Desperate Housewives behind in this offbeat but brilliant film. Nominated for two Oscars and winner of eighteen awards, Huffman and her co star Kevin Zegars are outstanding. This is a film to write home about.
Huffman stars as Bree Osbourne, a male-to-female transsexual who is about to undergo surgery to become a full woman. Bree (aka Stanley), lives a solitary life in LA and has only his therapist as a friend. Having gone through a lengthy process to get medical permission for the surgery, Bree hopes that a new life as a real woman will bring her the happiness she has never known.
Bree’s life is turned upside down when he receives a call from a correctional facility on the other side of the country. He discovers that the police have arrested a young man (Kevin Zegars), who claims Stanley is his long lost father and only living relative. When Bree’s therapist finds out about this new development, she refuses to sign off on the surgery until Bree has dealt with this problem. Bree flies to New York and bails the boy out of jail.
Thinking Bree is a Christian missionary, gay hustler Toby informs her of his intention to become a porn star in LA. Bree’s motherly / fatherly instincts surface and in order to prevent his son from hitchhiking to California, Bree offers to drive the boy back west.
The two of them embark on a remarkable road trip where they bond and have to take on a number of challenges, not least Bree’s own family including his matriarchal and deeply disappointed mother. All the time, Bree battles with her conscience and wonders whether he should tell Tony the truth about himself.
This is by far Felicity Huffman’s finest performance to date and her vocal inflections, makeup, and acting skills combine to make her character so believable and compelling that this will have you gripped. Writer / Director Duncan Tucker gets the balance totally right between drama and comedy with plenty of fun and dramatic moments throughout the story as he gently squeezes Bree’s various revelations out to Toby on screen.
A wonderful film that is highly recommended to rent. Add to your list now.