Gun Hill Road

Well acted and rounded movie
This movie is about a transsexual teen and her harsh new journey after her father gets out of prison. However, even though the father is the destructive force, who in many ways pushes the teen into defending and demanding her sexual identity even more, his journey is also depicted on screen in a way to get the audience to relate on a basic level. Therefore, the most potent feeling in the movie is pain instead of say pity or disgust. The viewer can experience the pain felt by the overly abused teen, and the pain the father feels as he acts on what he believes will help while also dealing with a world that treats him just as badly. In the end, it’s a movie that accepts transsexual identity, but from which perspective, one of reluctant tolerance or personal need, is up to the viewer to decide.

A Sensitive And Refreshingly Understated Indie About Acceptance And Family
I tend to get a bit worried when I come across a low budget indie such as "Gun Hill Road," which has an important message of unqualified love and acceptance. Sometimes these earnest endeavors can lack a subtlety and realness in their characterizations and they often go for what I like to call BIG MESSAGE MOMENTS. So I was pleasantly surprised by the restraint first time writer/director Rashaad Ernesto Green brings to the proceedings. It is a movie that could have devolved into easy stereotypes, but instead the screenplay keeps things focused on a family that is refreshingly multi-layered and believable. Perhaps not everything is perfect (the boyfriend storyline occasionally strained credibility in its presentation), but Green demonstrates a big heart for his flawed characters. And it is this clear vision and even-handed tone that allows "Gun Hill Road" to work quite well. I didn't know anything about the film before watching it, and it's a solid recommendation.

I've...

Love the Boogie Down Bronx!
I cannot believe I knew this writer/director as a child! Hope your future is very successful, Mr. Green! This film was awesome!

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