Transamerica Review

by [email protected] (dnb AT dca DOT net)
January 29th, 2006

TRANSAMERICA
A film review by David N. Butterworth
Copyright 2006 David N. Butterworth

*** (out of ****)

Desperate housewife Felicity Huffman is the number one reason to see "Transamerica," a craftily titled road movie about a pre-op transsexual who ferries the teenage son s/he never knew s/he had cross- country from NYC to LA, all the while keeping her ma/paternity a heavily guarded secret.

Kevin Zegers, who plays the son, is the number two reason to see the film: fans of the DiCaprio-esque young actor will quickly recognize "Transamerica" as being a long, long way from the "Air Bud" series of films (in which Zegers played second banana to a talented golden retriever).

But back to Felicity... In "Transamerica" Ms. Huffman wows us by playing a Mr.. A male (Stanley), that is, well on the way to becoming a female (Sabrina, or Bree by which s/he goes). That transformation has slowly been taking place care of a daily hormone regimen and some *very* heavy makeup. That's something we notice right away about "Transamerica": it favors a woman looking/acting masculine-- receding hair, deep voice, awkward posture (especially in tight skirts), and an unsightly bulge where we shouldn't be looking--rather than asking us to relate to a guy in drag. That gives the film genuine credibility from the outset, a credibility it maintains due in no small part to Huffman's unfailing performance as Bree. It's a performance of the all-encompassing kind, an engaging immersion laced with compassion and tenderness.

With Huffman firing on all six cylinders the film needed an appropriate foil, a character--a performer--who would augment her sizable contributions, not take away from them. Zegers' Toby is just what the doctor ordered: he's every bit as good as Huffman on a completely different level (of course). Together this winning twosome makes "Transamerica" a deeply diverting experience.

Within a week of having "corrective surgery" to complete her transition from rejected male to accepted female, Bree learns that as Stanley she sired a son, now hustling for significantly less change on the streets of New York City. Bree heads to Manhattan and, posing as a Christian social worker, begins a road trip back to Los Angeles with Toby in tow. (The kid wants to make it in the movies anyway--gay porn movies don't you know--and Hollywood's in the same general direction.) Along the way imminent mother and prodigal son agree on little but learn much. And at some point, obviously, Toby needs to spot the penis. (But do we?)

Writer/director Duncan Tucker succumbs to a few obvious transgender slip-ups like this but for the most part keeps his film upbeat and consequential. The film reminded me a lot of "Tumbleweeds," another mother/offspring road trip similar in structure and featuring an equally ebullient lead performance. In "Transamerica" things culminate in a reunion, of sorts, between the soon-to-be Bree and her crass, ignorant parents (briefly played by veterans Burt Young and Fionnula Flanagan), both of whom would seem more at home in a circus sideshow than their "freakish" son/daughter.

With "Brokeback Mountain" making alternative lifestyles "respectable" again (at least as far as multiplex material is concerned) you might wish to check out the cross-engendered "Transamerica." It's a laudable change for the better.

--
David N. Butterworth
[email protected]

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