Transamerica

Bree Osbourne (Felicity Huffman) is about to undergo the procedure that she has been longing for her entire life in a week's time. However, she learned that she fathered a son from a previous relationship she had in college. Knowing the existence of the boy, her friend/psychologist insisted that she should deal with this new chapter in her life before proceeding with her gender reassignment.

Unwillingly, Bree travelled to New York from LA to bail her son out. Being concern with the welfare of the boy, Toby (Kevin Zegers), she decided to bring him to LA where he (Toby) wanted to go, as well, to become an actor. Along their road trip, friendship had developed. It even evolved into mutual respect and care when they learned of each other's dark past and secrets. However, the most important thing hasn't been said - she is Toby's father. Toby only knew the truth when he did what could be considered as the most humiliating he did in his life which was -- (see the film, guys!)

Transamerica may not be the best film about trangendered individuals but it is certainly one of the most enjoyable one. It has a witty dialogue and never there was a dull moment in the film.

Bree, of course, is the heart of the film which Felicity Huffman excellently portrayed and nailed to its core! She was able to bring depth and substance to the character the way she does as a desperate housewife. She perfectly emulated an individual who is both a male and a female. She made it seemed that Bree is more than a transgendered individual but rather a person who needs to be respected and loved. Rustom's words during his outing could rightfully be her lines -- "Di ako masamang tao!" (I'm not a bad person!) She truly deserved the Oscar nod and the Golden Globes award!

If Bree is the heart of the film, Toby gives her her soul! It is through Toby that she realized that, apart from caring for herself (the way other people didn't), she could be an inspiration and guide to someone else's life -- in this instance, her son. Kevin Zegers (Dawn of the Dead, Fear of the Dark, Wrong Turn, Airbud) played Toby brilliantly! He was able to show him in a 360-degree manner -- all sides being accounted for: good/bad, confident/insecure, confuse/aware. He showed the boy in the man and vice versa. Moreover, he looked darn good - whether beaten up, dirty or clean! Just plain gorgeous! I describe him as disturbingly beautiful -- because it's so hard to focus on the film when he's on it! (Of course, that's just me! I couldn't say he'd have that same effect on you.)

Transamerica is one of those independent films that needs to be watch by more people more than the blockbuster bulls*its we have around. If only to somehow educate the masses with the knowledge that trangendered people exist and they need to be respected more if not accepted. Aside from that, this film is road trip movie for a father and son relationship -- or I should say, mother and son. Oh yeah, any would do, I guess.

Here a few of the witty dialogues in the films:

Dr. Spikowsky: How do you feel about your penis?
Bree Osbourne: It disgusts me. I don't even like looking at it.
Dr. Spikowsky: And how about your friends?
Bree: They don't like it either.

Bree: My body may be a work-in-progress, but there is nothing wrong with my soul.

Toby: Beauty is relative.
Bree: Not my relatives.

Bree: Just because a person doesn't go around blabbing her entire biological history doesn't make her a liar.
Hitch hiker: I sometimes see my own death (while swimming)...
Bree: Does it involve drowning?

Toby: Your parent's house is a lot nicer.
Bree: My parent's house comes with my parents.

Bree: Did you spend your entire life in New Mexico?
Indian guy: Not yet.

To learn more about the terms used in identifying gender differences (and somehow be sensitive with it), see this: Gender Terms.

Related Films:
Normal (HBO)
Soldier's Girl (Showtime)