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PORT PERRY "WEEKEND STAR" THURSDAY APRIL 20, 2000-9 Swank delivers a searing performance in film SCREENING ROOM By John Foote BOYS DON'T CRY (Yedevededy) Directed by Kimberly Peirce Now on video Hilary Swank won the Academy Award for best actress for her stunning perfor- mance in this small miracle of a movie that deserves rapt attention. Swank's per- formance is nothing less than a complete inhabitation of the role, a transformation into the character, and utter genius. | dare say that this is the finest performance by an actress since Meryl Streep's jaw drop- ping work in Sophie's Choice (1982). Swank's background certainly is not indicative of her obvious talents, as she languished for a year on the hit TV series Beverly Hills 90210, and earlier was cast in The Next Karate Kid (1990). Cast as Teena Brandon, a young Nebraskan woman who makes the deci- sion to live her life as a man, Swank is astonishing in a performance that is a rev- elation. She disappears under the skin of _ this character with such ease, one can scarcely believe we are watching a film rather than a documentary. The movie is based on a true story. Teena Brandon never felt like a girl, and certainly did not see herself as a lesbian. Her sexual desire was directed towards women, but she herself did not feel that she was a woman. By the time she was 18, she was living her life as a boy and quiet- ly dreaming of a sex change operation that would correct the mistake nature had apparently made. In the meantime, she cut her hair, wrapped her small breasts tight, stuck socks in her jeans, changed her name to Brandon Teena and moved from Lincoln to one of the more red- necked areas of Nebraska. She fell in with a strange group of misfits, and fell in love with one of the young women she met. When her secret was found out, two brothers who had become friends with the young Brandon, raped and later mur- dered her. By no means a conventional movie, Boys Don't Cry is something of a landmark independent film in that its main attrac- tion is its realism. Neither a soul search- ing character study, nor an in depth study of transsexuality, the film instead looks at a person and their progression through their life as the opposite sex.- Swank's heartbreaking performance dominates every frame of the film, reminding us of the beauty and purity of the art of acting. She is very much one with the role, owning every piece of dia- logue she speaks, and capturing the fierce rebellion of Teena, as well as the agoniz- ing realization that her world is about to fall apart. In her walk, in her voice, and in her gleaming lively eyes, Swank delivers a performance for the ages, and one that richly deserved the Oscar, and the many other awards she received. In strong support is Chloe Sevigny as the young woman who falls for Teena, and maintains that attraction and love even after she finds out the secret. In a careful- ly etched performance, Sevigny finds the soul of a lonely girl who finally discovers someone who loves her for what she. is, who will not use her, and finally, whom she can love back. Director Kimberly Peirce, who also wrote the screenplay with Andy Bienen, helms the film in a straightforward manner that adds aching realism to the work. This is not a showcase for the talents of an actress or a director, but rather a group of artists passionate about a story they want to tell. In every single frame of the film, that passion shines. Deeply moving, and ultimately harrow- ing, Boys Don't Cry was among the best films | saw last year. What a shame it was denied a best director and picture nomi- nation. ON PAUL NEWMAN Last year, during a press trip to Los Angeles, | had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing actor-director Paul Newman, one of the great acting icons of the 60s. As he approaches 80, Newman has managed to maintain his health and humour, but what I found charming about the man was his sense of his personality, and his limitations as an actor. We dis- cussed much of his work from the 60s, including his riveting performances in The Hustler (1961), Hud (1963), and best of all, Cool Hand Luke (1967), all for which he should have collected Oscars. When the Academy Award finally came, it was for his performance in the sequel to The Hustler, The Color of Money (1986), directed by Martin Scorsese, and co-starring Tom Cruise. Newman was very aware of the fact he was awarded the Oscar for being snubbed in the past, and a touch of dis- dain for Hollywood came through. He became the anti-hero of the 60s, a tough but cynical character tackling the establishment and usually being destroyed by it. In his best roles he could portray an absolute bastard, yet still make us care for him. After coming to Hollywood in the early 50s, he made a hasty retreat for New York's esteemed Actor's Studio, where he studied with Lee Strasberg. The difference was notable when he returned to replace James Dean in two films, The Left Handed Gun (1957), and Somebody Up There Likes Me (1958). Before our eyes he would become a movie star and an actor, first and foremost always an actor. His new film, Where the Money Is, will not be his swan song, though the actor has admitted that his next picture will indeed be his last. As | left the room, | was struck by what a gentleman he is, what a remark- ably nice guy, and after meeting him, what a tremendous talent. His new film is not very good, and photos of Newman being wheeled to the set in a wheelchair have hammered home mortality, which is why | so love movies. For me, Paul Newman in the flesh will always be the grey haired gent I met in L.A., and on screen, always, Fast Eddie Felson, Luke, Butch Cassidy, Reggie Dunlop, or Frank Galvin. | have great hopes he makes another film worthy of his immense talent. Oven Ready Breaded o 1 Our Chicken Breast Strips are cut Chi en Breast from solid chicken breast fillets, seasoned and breaded in an Oriental style crumb mixture. 5b Strips 99 1.36 kg Gourmet Chicken Breasts Chicken with Broccoli 8 Cheese Hh Chicken Cordon Swiss Chicken California 170g New! Chicken Caesar 6 oz Sur Ready reme Homestyle Lasagna 1322 Ready to Serve Old Style Smoked Half Ham 29- aver age Thaw n' serve Deep Dutch Browni 8x12" Tray Port Perry Store 1874 Scugog St., Port Perry » 985-1202 SAN SH 0 [O10 J 240% Open . 7 days a week i * Quality Windows and Doors for: - Replacement - New Home Construction * Expert Custom Installation e 23 Years Experience REPLA WINDOWS AND DOORS . © 193 North St., Port Perry 1-800-788-0270 985-4910