Rent Tomboy (2011)

Wonderful performances but slow - Tomboy review by CP Customer

The main character Laure/Mikel is a wonderful actor. The film captured what a young person having gender issues must go through. My only criticism is that the pacing was a bit too slow, but I understand that the director intended this to emphasise how things evolved for Laure in her new skin.

A beautiful, delicate film with one of the best child performances I have ever seen from Hèran - Tomboy review by TB

Tomboy is a revelation. A stunning, perfect & deliberately un-provocative film. I first saw it the year it was released and fell in love with it. In that time, my reverence for it has only grown.

But one point which I do want to make, which especially today is more relevant than ever, is with regards to it's message. The issue of trans is so political, so highly charged & so toxic that in many ways to try & have a discussion is nearly impossible. Trenches are almost always dug deep on both sides & the vitriol exchanged is horrible. But Tomboy, to me so perfect for so many reasons, does one thing especially well: it takes the damn tension out of things.

For example, there is no mention of pronouns. There is no anger or upset when Laure is called Laure and not Michael by her parents or sister. There is a strong family unit around her and there is support and love.

This is a film which is so simple & delicate. It follows a girl called Laure who is masculine looking & moves to a new town. She is mistaken for a boy (not only for her looks but also calling herself Michael,) and becomes part of a new friend group. But what the film also does beautifully is show that this decision is also made to fit in. By having multiple layers to the character makes it so much more powerful. And the film goes to careful lengths to show that this isn't something which she feels forced to do. Her parents totally accept her looks. Although later on there is shock when the deception is discovered, there is never bile directed against her parents.

The film then shows Laure constructing her new identity & there is much amusement to be had in the various experiments that she does. The very close bond between her and her sister is beautifully played out. As are the interactions between Laure and the friend group. Amusingly, in real life, the children playing the friends are Zoè Hèran's actual friends, adding to the chemistry.

And speaking of Hèran, I cannot find the words to properly convey how perfect this performance is. She is incredible, flawless & heartbreaking. I loved being with her, following her journey. Over just under 90 minutes, we see her hopes, fears and triumphs. The tiny moves in her face, showing without words her feelings & emotions. To me it is a tragedy that we have not seen more of her.

And to Céline Sciamma, thank you. You have created a masterpiece, a beautiful looking, gentle & soulful work of art. This film will stay with me forever.

Finally, one reason this film has added power for me is because I also watched it with a trans-person recently. They were blown away by it and the meaning it gave them, along with the impact, added to the reverence that I already had for it. And they loved it for the same reasons I did: a simple film, without any of the tension that films about trans individuals seem obliged to feature today. This film doesn't minimise this struggle, it shows it clearly, gently and compassionately.

I love it and I hope you do as well.