Transamerica Reviews

An Honest Good Film

Not many of us knowingly encounter transengedered persons so this is somewhat of a new topic, one that could (if I am honest) be a bit uncomfortable to watch if handled wrongly, but this is sensitive, funny, sweet, educational and entertaining. Hinged on excellent very credible performances from ALL the actors, helped along by a good script. Sometimes the sound seems a little off, and it isn't a big budget film by any degree, but what a refreshing change from the usual 2hrs of pointless explosions and sex you routinely get from Hollywood.

Not just Flick's flick

A large amount of the praise this film has received centres, rightly, on Felicity Huffman's inspired portrayal of the rather ironically named, considering her later involvement in Desperate Housewives, Bree Osbourne. However there is certainly more to it than this - Kevin Zegers is also excellent, achingly naive as her son Toby, in a difficult role requiring a little more than the typical narcissistic abused teenager gig. There are some gorgeously hilarious lines, the best ones being in the exchanges between Bree and Toby ('Sh*t. I mean darn. No, I mean sh*t'), and the way in which the classic 'road trip' genre is subverted is great, allowing the audience a point of reference while introducing paradoxical content. Although this film falls a little short of spectacular, it is a pleasure to watch from start to finish, interesting, human and accessible on a subject not often attempted by Hollywood.

Needs a chop here and there...

Felicity Huffman delivers a pitch perfect performance here as a pre-op transexual – she looks the part and her clearly studied mannerisms seem entirely appropriate. Generally, she lifts the film out of mediocre status. Transamerica seems genuinely motivated, but it has an obvious and saggy script. It’s another all-about-the-lead-performance film (same vein as the recent Capote) as opposed to much else, but there are some amusing asides (Huffman’s character’s mum providing many of them) and a fairly thoughtful subtext. Certainly worth catching but should have been a bit sharper.

Towering Performance

A marvellous, truly original film built around an extraordinary performance by Felicity Huffman. Onscreen for all but a few minutes of the piece, she gives total commitment and total immersion, without ever straying into gimmick or indulgence. Terrific support as well, especially from Kevin Zeggers as the lost son our hero/-ine is trying to save, and Fionnuala Flanagan as the mother consumed by anger and bewilderment at her son's change of identity. A wonderful film about the power of truth which never stoops to sentimentality. This is the kind of film that shows why the best - usually independent - American filmmaking is so far removed from the tripe that fills the multiplexes. So typical of the Americans that they would deny Felicity Huffman the Oscar for this!!!

Mellow Road Movie!

It's nice to see a more positive portrayal of transexuals (sometimes transgender people are depicted in a very sinister light:-ie. Silence Of The Lambs). Cleverly, Felicity Hoffman offsets the viewers prejudice by being a bit eerie and off-key before gradually evoking your empathy.

What follows is a chilled out and touching road movie, in the vein of Motorcycle Diaries or Broken Flowers (but without Jim Jarmusch's self conscious coolness).

Transamerica - Huffman's finest moment!

What a bizarre film! I'm not sure what I was expecting really but this film neither gripped nor dissappointed me. The harsh reality of gender disorder is covered fairly well, some of the difficulties of living such a life are highlighted quite sypathetically - the trauma within the family is the focus of the film rather than any coverage of the actual physical issues. The most amazing thing about this film is Felicity Huffman, if the world didn't know she was really a handsome woman she would have us completely fooled as the transexual lead male..... hmmm... enjoy!

[Highly rated reviewer]

Really enjoyable film

If like me you are sick of SFX films being rammed down your throat then i recommend this film. The acting is sublime and the story brilliant and original. The story is about Bree (Felicity Huffman) who is waiting to have a sex change op when she/he hears from a son she/he never knew he/she had. I shan't tell you anymore as what happens leads to a really enjoyable film that will leave you pleasantly surprised. The humour is dry and very dark. All in all a film for film buffs who prefer dialogue to special effects.

Lame wrapper hides gem

I'd heard the name of this film here and there and in my head had it down as some kind of cross between Priscilla Queen of The Desert and Power Rangers - and it ended up being one of those you got 'just cos' but I have to say its one of the nice surprises of the year and was much more entertaining than the cover suggests.

Whilst the lead could as easily be hiding any kind of major secret that nature of the subterfuge makes for some interesting screen dynamics - you'd need to be pretty square not to get something out of this; a gem...

Literally desperate Housewife

Had heard the hype around this - now that I have watched this, it lives up to it. Felicity Huffman is fantastic as Bree, and in general the acting is great in this film. Definitely one to watch.

Tran-tastic

What a wonderful film. Fabulous portrayal of a transexual by Felicity Huffman (although the voice grates a little to start with) and her son, Toby, is played brilliantly by Kevin Zegers (it doesn't hurt that he's also rather gorgeous!). The film follows the road trip taken by Bree and Toby, with many interesting stops along the way. I would highly recommend this film to anyone, please don't be put off by the transexual element, as this is just a small part of what is a fantastic film