Today it seems films addressing these issues are still underexposed and maligned at times, the message is important and this film should be recommended in schools.The third time I watched this film I understood the clear severity of discrimination and hatred that is deflected onto various individuals in American "society". This film is based on a true story wherein J.D. Pardo portrays a trans-gendered high school student. Mercedes Ruehl is excellent as the single mother, struggling to understand her son, and what is plaguing him.The screenplay is particularly well-done, in that we see the family unit, how much Ruehl and the grandparents love their children, and the build-up to ensuing tragedy.The court scenes could be tiresome, but are not as the film flashes back to what actually occurred, and the murder trial. Of the three culprits, none were charged with hate crimes. Highly recommended. 9/10.

6 stars out of 10 This film, based on a true story, tries hard, and it IS well told, but it is definitely NOT the best vehicle to carry the message of tolerance and acceptance.I have friends who are transsexuals, so I do know people who have dealt with this problem in their lives. None of them, however, ever tried to deceive others in regards to themselves. Also, all of them eventually had sex reassignment surgery - something that was never even mentioned in this film. Nor was hormone treatment even mentioned.So while I definitely have strong sympathy for transsexual people, Eddie's deceitfulness is not going to "win friends and influence people", as the old cliché goes.Of course it is horribly wrong to mistreat someone simply because they are somewhat different from the mainstream group, and it certainly is past time that kind of thinking ended.Nonetheless, there are also the realities of life, and Eddie/Gwen absolutely and totally refused to accept that. With Eddie/Gwen, it was "my way or the highway." This led him to a great deal of unnecessary suffering. A transsexual person can suffer enough without adding to their own woes.The mother does come to accept Eddie as Gwen, but makes the huge mistake of turning her back on a therapist who could have offered a great deal of help to both herself and Eddie/Gwen.How much more beneficial a film on this subject COULD have been if it had revolved around a character who was honest about himself---and tried to fit in, but was still discriminated against--now THAT kind of film could have possibly opened a few minds. As it is, many people who see this film aren't going to bother to look beyond Eddie's misrepresentation of himself to others.

This movie is amazing. I enjoyed it very much. The story is very sad, and its even sadder that its a true story. J.D Pardo acted out the parts very well. He did an amazing job. I love the moral of the story and I think everyone should learn from it. The moral would be to accept people for who they are, don't judge people for that's on the outside, love and accepted them for what's underneath. This movie will definitely make you stop and think how cruel society can be. I'm glad they brought Gwen Araujo's story to life. I think it was time her story was heard. The people who acted in this movie did an amazing job. I can't see anyone else better for his movie then these people. I'm glad they made this movie as touch as it was. May Gwen rest in peace.Thanks: Nicole

I had no idea this movie even existed until it was announced in the local newspapers a few days in advance. I made a special point of viewing it, as I had attempted to follow in the news the complex court case that took place many years after the tragedy.The movie was very well done. I think the music was a bit heavy-handed, ditto some of the "dream" sequences. But the writing was solid and the performances strong, especially the dual leads played by relative newcomer J.D. Pardo as Eddie/Gwen, and veteran accomplished actress Mercedes Ruehl as Sylvia. I also thought that Joey, Joey's ex-girlfriend, and Sylvia's other two children were well portrayed.I hope this movie will enlighten some viewers as to how difficult life for a transgender person can be and how real the phenomenon is. I have a middle-aged friend who recently became a male-to-female TS person (hormones, surgery, etc.), and it is not something that anyone would do because of a phase, a whim or any other trivial motivation.