Just like a woman is a light comedy about a man who lives a secret life as a cross dresser. When it was made the movie was given an "r" rating but besides the taboo nature of the subject of "transvestites" there is nothing in the movie that makes it deserve such a rating. If I was to rate it I would at most, give it a PG-13 rating in America because of the sexual references. Even so, the subject matter is not really dealt with in a serious or overly dramatic way. Since the movie deals with a main character who is a Transvestite one would think that the writers of the movie would try and spend a little more time creating a more specific portrayal. However due to the fact that there are many different types of transvestites and the fact that the story changes and the main character also changes, it can become very confusing to the audience to try and understand what a transvestite is. The story itself is rather simple and the outcome is a little too easy to predict. Overall I thought the film was good. It does provide an interesting look into a way of life that is not accepted by society and how the people feel about themselves and the people around them. If you like simple comedies I would recommend this film.

Just Like a Woman follows the story of a transvestite man's life with both the elements of drama and light comedy. The film follows his struggles and process of accepting himself his relationship with society by being a transvestite.Gerald, by society's standard, seems to live a perfect life, a successful career and a family. But he lives a double life and by night turns into Geraldine, a transvestite who is only known by his friends with in the community. He struggles with this double life, and is frightened by the consequences if he ever lives an overlap between his two identities. After meeting Monica, gradually he becomes comfortable with his identity, mostly by the help of finding an accepting partner. Although there have been many films that portray human sexuality, there are less films that tells the story of particularly transvestites. For an average person to understand the motifs and psychology behind a transvestite person, this film succeeds in introducing this particular identity through its easy to watch genre. The broad definition of "transvestite" is simply explained; a man that is attracted to the opposite sex but has the urge or will to dress-up, or become a woman. . Gerald and Geraldine are both capable of living quit a successful life and are not mentally impaired but only has an disadvantage because of society's perception on his identity.It does not quiet explore the deeper reasoning behind it, but the film works in a sense that analyzing may not be always a necessity when one's sexuality is portrayed; it's just the way they are. Which is the essential goal of accepting one's sexuality or identity, is to accept them who they are.

The original book was just the (true) story of the love affair between Gerald/Geraldine and Monica Jay; the part about the business deal, the crooked boss and the Japanese clients was added for the film. I have to say that I found the sub-plot less than credible, but enormous fun all the same - especially the come-uppance. Yes, the ending is OTT, but it IS meant to be a dream sequence.The UK transvestite association "Northern Concord" was involved in the research and some of its members were extras in the filming, which perhaps goes a long way to explaining why this is one of the very rare films which shows the world of cross-dressers as it really is. In most of the others (Tootsie, Mrs Doubtfire, Some Like it Hot...) the heroes aren't transvestites at all but ordinary guys who cross-dress to save their life, career or relationship with their children.

When I heard that Adrian Pasdar was in drag in this movie, my expectations that I would watch the entire movie were low. The only reasons I gave it a chance were the magnificent Julie Walters and the recommendation of a friend.What i thought would be a broad "Mrs. Doubtfire" type of farce turned out to be a gentle and insightful comedy. Pasdar is entirely credible and empathetic as the ambitious business man who needs to release the female part of his being by cross-dressing on occasions. He transmits these needs to the audience in a thoroughly believable fashion. Julie Walters is magnificent, is as her habit, as the landlady who teaches him unconditional love.