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Review

Writer Ron Nyswaner (Philadelphia), director Frank Pierson (Oscar-winning writer of Dog Day Afternoon), actors Troy Garrity and Lee Pace have pulled off a major coup with Soldier's Girl. They have crafted a moving and entertaining film based on the true story of the murder of Pfc. Barry Winchell because of his love for the transgender woman Calpernia Addams. Every detail of this gripping tale rings true - from the superlative acting to the amazing costumes, the musical club scenes and most of all, the tear-inducing portrait of a true love.

The dashing-looking Barry Winchell (Garrity) is new to the 101st airborne division at Fort Cambpell, Ky. His roommate is the troubled, yet charismatic Justin Fisher (Hatosy) who brings him to Visions, a gay/trans club in Nashville. Justin represses his homo urges until that night, when he kisses a "girl" behind the stage. Barry finds himself drawn inexorably to Calpernia Addams (Pace), a transgendered performer - they exchange numbers before the night is over. Barry goes back to the club a few nights later - he can't get Calpernia out of mind - although he has always been straight. Regardless of his conflicted feelings about being attracted to a pre-operative transsexual, Barry lunges into a romance that can only end badly. Besides the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, the drill sargeant is a mean bigoted man who shouts homophobic comments at the men during drill and then there is Justin. Barry's roommate is a manipulative fellow and when a dim-witted new arrival Calvin Glover (Eddols) arrives, he works the new boy up into a frenzy over Barry's possible homosexuality. While Calpernia is winning the "Miss Tennessee" contest there is trouble at the base. At a drunken fourth of July picnic, Calvin calls Barry gay and they fight. Later that night Justin hands Calvin his baseball bat and goads him to brutally murder Barry in his sleep.

Many in the gay community feel that the Army was complicit in Barry's murder by the homophobic atmosphere on base and the slow response to emergency calls on that horrid night. This brave Showtime film stands firmly in that camp. But this film is not all murder and homophobia. There are tender and quite erotic love moments between the two leads. Several musical scenes lighten the film as well. Calpernia's performances of k.d. lang and Annie Lenox songs are unforgettable highlights. Combining a gripping, real story with Oscar-caliber writing, acting and directing Soldier's Girl is possibly the finest queer film of the year - an essential movie.

Scott Cranin

"Faggot, faggot down the street
You can't hide - You're dead meat."
A chant that soldiers shout while marching at Ft. Campbell