Movie Recommendation: Soldier's Girl

[ValleyDwellerNorth]

With the recent rash of movie talk on the message center (most of the talk has been about really bad, stupid movies) I would like to recommend something I saw on the Sundance Channel http://www.sundancechannel.com/ last night. The movie is called "Soldier's Girl". This month Sundance, like they do every June, is featuring GLT themed movies. I view Sundance as a GLT channel anyway so I don't see the big deal.

 

Since this movie is based on the true story of Barry Winchell, and I didn't remember hearing this in the news back in 1999, the movie was a complete surprise to me. Nicely done and a very moving story.

 

Aside from all the reality and true message of this movie there is some great eye candy.

 

The main character, played by Jane Fonda's son Troy Garity, is very captivating and sensual. I believe he is straight so it makes the fact he chose this role all the more alluring. He was also in Barbershop 2 playing a very macho dude.

 

http://cache.eonline.com/Features/Features/Sizzlin2003/Images/pic.garrity.jpg

 

click here for more pics: http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0004949/photogallery

 

Review of movie:

This is the story of Barry Winchell, a soldier in the 101st Airborne Division, who was brutally murdered by a fellow GI on July 4th, 1999, shortly after the installment of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. On an outing with his buddies, Barry had been captivated by the beautiful Calpernia Adams, a transgendered entertainer in a local Nashville nightclub, and the story focuses on the love that developed between them.

 

Info about Troy:

 

The son of actress Jane Fonda and political activist Tom Hayden, Troy Garity has shown interest in both of his parents' professions. (He adopted the surname Garity from his paternal grandmother's side.) As a child, he spent his summers at the Laurel Springs Arts Camp in Santa Barbara and appeared uncredited in On Golden Pond with his mom and grandfather. As an adult, he moved to New York City to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and later to Los Angeles to start a film career. After being named one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People in 1998, he landed the role of his father in Steal This Movie, the historical biopic starring Vincent D'Onofrio as '60s activist Abbie Hoffman. The next year, Garity appeared in Barry Levinson's crime comedy Bandits as a getaway driver for eccentric bank robbers played by Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Thornton. After a few more small-time features, he played token white guy Isaac Rosenberg in Tim Story's urban comedy Barbershop. His breakthrough role came in 2003 with the Showtime movie A Soldier's Girl, based on a true story. He played Pfc. Barry Winchell, a soldier who was beaten to death in 1999 after he fell in love with transsexual Calpernia Addams (Lee Pace). The job earned Garity nominations from both the Golden Globes and the Independent Spirit Awards. the actor starred in the critically acclaimed drama Milwaukee, Minnesota that same year as mentally disabled ice fisherman Albert Burroughs. In addition to continuing involvement with his nonprofit group the Peace Process Network, Garity appeared in the 2004 sequel Barbershop 2. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide

[jackhammer91406]

VDN,

I have seen this movie several times over the past year or so. If I recall, it was also mentioned in a thread maybe a year or so ago. I agree that the performances in this film are very strong and the story compelling.

[Rick Munroe]

>I believe he is straight so it

>makes the fact he chose this role all the more alluring.

 

Aren't most gay characters on TV and in film usually portrayed by straight actors? And vice versa? Examples: Eric McCormack as Will on Will and Grace, and Dick Sargeant as Darrin 2 on Bewitched. :7

[ValleyDwellerNorth]

> If I recall, it was also mentioned in a thread maybe a year

>or so ago.

 

I am sure it was and I am sure you are correct. That is why I am the best accomplice anyone could have on a crime spree. My memory is awful and I would not remember any combination, secret code, password or how many tellers we would have tied up. The fuzz wouldn't get any information out of me.

[ValleyDwellerNorth]

>Aren't most gay characters on TV and in film usually portrayed

>by straight actors? And vice versa? Examples: Eric McCormack

>as Will on Will and Grace, and Dick Sargeant as Darrin 2 on

>Bewitched. :7

 

And let's not forget veteran game show regular Rip Taylor.

 

http://www.bonusround.com/book2-9/images/75-ripflag.jpg

 

As far as Eric McCormack goes it wouldn't take much of a prison term to change his point of entry. Plus the fact he is Canadian.

 

vdn (feeling very NON-pc today)

[Mikeyz7]

>As far as Eric McCormack goes it wouldn't take much of a

>prison term to change his point of entry. Plus the fact he is

>Canadian.

>

VDN

What do you mean "plus the fact he is Canadian". Being Canadian I resemble that remark!

[ValleyDwellerNorth]

>What do you mean "plus the fact he is Canadian". Being

>Canadian I resemble that remark!

 

I wasn't feeling very politically correct today. There is an overabundance of gay Canadian men. I think countries are like students in a high school math class. We, the Americans, are all big and brawny but we can't add. You, the Canadians, are the smart kids that do our homework and give us hand jobs. In return, we will beat up anyone that picks on you (except Iceland because if you can't protect yourself from them well....that's just a damn shame). We compliment one another. That's what it's all aboot.

 

vdn (who will return to his regular global sensitivity in a month or two)

[Guest rohale]

I too saw this movie and I think I really enjoyed it. There is also another movie that I got to see last Sunday night and it's called

" The Notebook " and it stars Ryan Goseling, James Garner and Gina Rowlands. This movie in particular is a rarity nowadays. This film has a poignancy love story for all ages and combined with heartfelt drama adds to the passionate story telling of the characters. It reminds me of an era of movies once so abundant fifty years ago but now lost in an age of special effects and commercial teenage movies. Go see if you get the chance.

 

Rohale

[BigK]

plus Ryan Goseling is HOTTTTTTTTTTT}(