Saturday, May 3, 2008

Soldier's Girl (2003) R - 3½ Stars

I really like movies that are based on true stories. This was a really good, but oh so tragic movie showing the anger that exists with prejudices of a gay nature. Barry Winchell was a soldier in the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell Kentucky, who was brutally murdered by a fellow GI on July 4th, 1999.

Barry Winchell (Troy Garity) volunteered to join the Army. He became room mates and friends with Justin Fisher (Shawn Hatosy), who's fascinated with guns and strip clubs. Justin is a high strung, macho GI with a drug problem. One night the two and some other buddies attend a drag show. The type of show where men dress in drag and lip sync to the music. A beautiful transvestite named Calpernia Adams from Tenesee, entertained for them and Barry met her after the show. Refreshed to have a conversation with a feminine voice, Barry begins spending more and more time with her. Calpernia [Lee Pace], is saving her money for a sex change operation but the more time Barry spends with her, the more he realizes he loves her just the way she is.

This is driving Justin crazy who wants to bring Barry back into reality of the infiltry and he finds a half wit soldier Calvin Glover and starts feeding him the fuel of a "homo" living in these quarters. Calvin claims he's a skin head and hates "faggots."

One night when Calpernia is out recieving her award for Miss Tennesee Entertainer Of The Year, Barry is home unfortunately studying for a test. Justin is having a party with a bunch of guys getting drunk and rowdy. He puts a basball bat into the arms of Calvin and feeds him more anger over the "homo." He eggs him on to "mess up" Barry with the bat. Calvin proceeds to beat Barry to a horrible bloody death.

If you'd like to read more about Calpernia side of the story you can do so by visiting this link.

Calpernia's Story

ShowTime Movies
Director: Frank Pierson
Writer: Ron Nyswaner
Producers: Doro Bachrach, Linda Gottlieb
I viewed 12/06

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