A Classic

Rating: Null/10 (8 November 2004)

A lot of excellent psychology here, and a lot of excellent acting. Stamp had a handful, to play a transsexual without limp wrists, without--on the whole--stereotypes. Transsexuals tell me that--just as in this film--they've known since they were children that there was a mismatch between body and brain. It's in the story; it's in the character--right where it should be. I found the film tender, sweet, real, hard-edged, tough. The ending is full of surprises--not just one but several, all sprung on the viewer within a short space of time, almost like an Agatha Christie novel, but with even more of the "I should have known" factor. I recommend it--but it's not for homophobics, those who cannot cry, or those who are sure that homosexuality is not a hormonal accident but a sin.