TRANSAMERICA
CAROLINE: We were pleasantly surprised by “Transamerica” tonight at the IFC (Independent Film Center) Theater in the village.
RYAN: Well I wasn’t pleasantly surprised by the IFC.
CAROLINE: No. Nor I. It’s a crap theater that I would really prefer never to have to go to again.
RYAN: Totally.
CAROLINE: But sometimes it’s the only place in New York playing these little indie movies.
RYAN: Speaking of lil’ indie movies, we saw little indie director tonight at the show.
CAROLINE: Yes we did.
RYAN: One whom I actually interviewed, at length, for VH1, several years ago. He’d never remember me.
CAROLINE: Who goes by the name of?
RYAN: Julian McSchnabel.
CAROLINE: (laughs) I didn’t know he was Irish!
RYAN: He directed “Before Night Falls” and “Basquiat.” And he’s walking right past us right now with his family.
CAROLINE: Yes he is. And it’s 15 minutes after the movie got out, on another street!
RYAN: It’s our destiny, I tell you. Anyway. I have to say this. I’m very, very angry about this movie and Felicity “Hussman.” Here’s my problem. Without naming names, there are gay, but closeted, huge Hollywood leading men who won’t come out for fear audiences will not take them seriously in heterosexual roles… and yet Felicitous Huffman is getting lauded, nominated and awarded for taking on a role that should be a stretch for an audience to accept.
CAROLINE: Ok.
RYAN: You know? Why are we supposed to take a woman seriously, playing a male to female transsexual? Why not cast a real transsexual? You know? Why not award a gay actor for playing a straight role? You know who you are, you men of Hollywood! Come out, come out wherever you are!
CAROLINE: Come out!
RYAN: That being said, Felicitous was outstanding.
CAROLINE: She was outstanding. I see your point. But the problem is… a movie like this is going to get very little recognition, were it not for the fact a star is in it.
RYAN: Right. And there are not any transsexual stars.
CAROLINE: Right. But truly, she was amazing and, truthfully, she’s the reason I wanted to see this movie. I wasn’t that excited to see it, I have to be honest. But she was nominated for a Golden Globe and I figure she’ll be nominated for an Oscar. And after seeing this, I have to say, “Well deserved.”
RYAN: Yes. Absolutely deserves the nominations. She was fantastic. I mean, the makeup! How did they make her upper lip look…
CAROLINE: She looked like a man! I don’t know how they did it. Ok, granted, Felicity Huffman is not a classically beautiful woman. But if you’ve ever seen her on the red carpet, she’s got a rockin’ bod.
RYAN: She cleans up well.
CAROLINE: And they made her… I mean, she looks like a man!
RYAN: Yeah. It was in the hair, the base makeup being two shades too light… And why is it, by the way, that all American transsexuals cannot do their own makeup?
CAROLINE: (laughs)
RYAN: Not to be all un-P-C… Nothing against transsexuals, but…
CAROLINE: But it appears to be true.
RYAN: It was funny. I thought there was a lot of good comedy in it.
CAROLINE: Definitely. And dramatic. There were some “Oh God, Oh God” moments, where you’re like, “I can’t believe this is about to happen.” A bit heart-rending; the guy who plays her son is very good. And cute!
RYAN: And hot and sexy and good lookin’ and if you’re reading this, call me at 917.555…
CAROLINE: (laughs)
RYAN: But how effed up can American families be?!?!
CAROLINE: I mean, wow. This movie will make you feel good about your own problems, that’s for damn sure!
RYAN: Yes!
CAROLINE: I’d like to give a shout out to whomever came up with the title; because of the nice double entendre.. on her transgengered-ness as well as they’re taking a cross-country journey trans America.
RYAN: And how. And I liked seeing the situations that arose, putting a tranny in rural America.
CAROLINE: Yeah.
*******SPOILER ALERT*******
RYAN: And the costumes were great. The mother’s costumes, etc…
CAROLINE: Oh. Brilliant.
RYAN: And she was the actress from “The Others.” But every costume was so authentic, crossing the Atlantic.
CAROLINE: (laughs)
RYAN: Alright, final thoughts.
CAROLINE: I was honestly not looking forward to seeing this movie. I was doing it for the sake of our blog. I’ll fess up. But I was pleasantly surprised. It got a little slow at the end; though, overall, for an independent film, this was great. And it looks good.
RYAN: Great performances. Great script. Great direction. Some shots were really well done. And I think people should see this film. Overall, good. And not only her performance is deserving of the accolades, but perhaps even screenplay… should get nominated.