Soldier's Girl

[silentsoul]

I just saw one of the most touching movies I have ever seen. The movie was "Soldier's Girl" on showtime.

This is showtime's description of the movie:
The true story of a young soldier who fell in love with a trans-gendered nightclub singer forms the basis for this original drama starring Troy Garity ("Bandits") as 21-year-old Army private Barry Winchell. When he falls for Calpernia Adams (Lee Pace), an alluring trans-gendered entertainer, Barry ignites the jealous fury of his homophobic brothers-in-arms, particularly his roommate Justin (Sean Hatosy), an anti-social misfit whose rage spurs violent action. Andre Braugher costars in this drama from director Frank Pierson ("Citizen Cohn").

I'm literally speachless at this movie. I've always been the most femenine guy I've ever met and with the fact that I am bisexual, I've always felt that I would be as good of a woman as a man. Sometimes I feel I'd actually make a better woman. I was so shocked at the ability of the movie to truely express the feelings of Calpernia (what a beautiful name). The ability to portray the feelings that barry had for her and the willingness to do anything for those feelings. The only part of the movie I didn't like was basically how they potrayed justin and a later character that joins in later. The reason for not liking that part was actually because it reminded me of how fucked up MY life is. The actor over-played the way that he acts and the outbreaks of wild emotions out of nowhere a little bit but overall the movie portrayed very well what a battle it is to have several mental problems.

The entire movie is just amazing, I don't know if any of you have seen it and I don't want to give away anything. I think this movie made me appreciate love. I am just SOOOOOOO touched by this movie and I didn't know it was based on a true story until after the movie.

At this point I'm simply babbling so please, if anyone else has seen this movie, please share.

[silentsoul]

here is showtime's synopsis of the movie:

SOLDIER'S GIRL is the true story of Barry Winchell, a soldier at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, who in 1999 fell in love with Calpernia Addams, a beautiful trans-gendered nightclub performer from Nashville. In the closed, rigid world of the army, their love affair created jealousy and misunderstanding among Barry's fellow soldiers. Rumors spread that Barry was gay. Eventually, on Fourth of July weekend, as Calpernia was winning Miss Tennessee Entertainer of the Year, Barry's Iago-like roommate Justin Fisher goaded another soldier into brutally murdering Barry.

When Barry Winchell (TROY GARITY) is assigned to the Airborne Infantry at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, he joins the "Screaming Eagles," a division with a prestigious history that includes the D-Day assault and Vietnam's infamous Hamburger Hill. The only section of the army that is not open to women, the infantry is a place where young men bond with the knowledge that someday they may be called upon to lay down their lives for one another.

Barry shares a room with Specialist Justin Fisher (SHAWN HATOSY), a self-styled "maniac" who is fascinated with guns, the Mafia and strip clubs. At first, Barry is intimidated by the rigors of the infantry and Justin's relentless hazing. But he improves in the field and comes to admire his roommate. Justin grows attached to Barry as well, discovering that he can confide in Barry his occasional frustrations and details of his psychiatric troubles.

On a Saturday night, Justin drags his posse, including Barry, to a popular Nashville nightclub that features trans-gendered performers dancing in flamboyant costumes and lip-synching to hot songs like Garbage's "Number One Crush." Barry is captivated by Calpernia Addams (LEE PACE), sultry and brazen on stage, but soft-spoken and ultra-feminine off stage. The details of Calpernia's gender status are vague, but Barry senses a warm, womanly essence, a welcome respite from the aggressive, macho world of the infantry. At once terrified and attracted, Barry begins to see Calpernia.

Calpernia tells Barry of her Appalachian childhood, her experiences as a combat medic in the Navy, and her desire -- from an early age -- to live as a woman. Only halfway through her transformation, Calpernia is saving money for sexual reassignment surgery.

Barry comes to accept this newfound element of his personality: namely, his taste for a relationship that is "outside of normal heterosexuality." He and Calpernia settle into a sweet, sexy romance. Eventually, Barry persuades Calpernia to abandon her plans for sex change surgery; he loves her as she is. For the first time, Calpernia feels the healing warmth of unconditional love.

But Justin Fisher is disturbed by this turn of events. Abusing pills and alcohol, Justin develops a passionate desire to control Barry and "reclaim" him for the infantry -- and perhaps, though he never states it -- for himself. Justin's obsession with Barry and his "mutant girlfriend" is fueled by his own, convoluted sexual history and identity.

Justin befriends and manipulates an immature, dim-witted solider named Calvin Glover, using him as a "weapon" in his campaign against Barry. Calvin, the product of Oklahoma youth homes and social services, professes to be a skinhead and a bank robber, although no one believes his tales. Barry feels the heat, but never complains about the relentless taunting and name-calling he experiences on base.

On July 4, 1999, Calpernia enters the "Miss Tennessee Entertainer of the Year" Pageant. Barry stays on post studying for an important exam. Calpernia is disappointed that Barry will not be in the audience to cheer her on, although he promises to be with her in spirit.

At Ft. Campbell, Barry, Justin, Calvin and others are having a rowdy, drunken bash. Calvin begins calling Barry a "homosexual." Barry tries to avoid a fight but ends up on top of Calvin, punching him. Calvin is humiliated to be beaten by a "faggot" and -- with Justin egging him on -- vows revenge.

Later that night, as Calpernia performs in the pageant to the Annie Lennox song "Cold," Justin puts a baseball bat into Calvin's hands and urges him to "mess up" Barry. Drunk, angry, and eager for Justin's approval, Calvin finally picks up the baseball bat and, as Barry is sleeping, bludgeons him to death. Justin, author of the murder, is found cradling Barry in his arms and begging him not to die.

Calpernia learns of the news when she returns home, after winning her pageant. Devastated, plagued by guilt, she believes that her one hope for love has been lost.

As she watches the ensuing court-martials, during which Justin Fisher and Calvin Glover are both found guilty (Glover getting life, Fisher three and a half years), Calpernia is alone once again. Eventually she returns to the stage, to the world she has known. But she does so, now, with a newfound sense of herself. Barry's love for her has made her see herself as a desirable, worthwhile woman, and though she is heartbroken, she is secure in the knowledge that she has been truly loved.

[LixyChick]

WOW! This does sound like an excellent movie....and something I think even Mr. Lixy (after much persuasion) would watch as well. But then...I have to persuade him to watch most movies he doesn't know he'll like...lol!

I'll keep my eye out for it silentsoul...but as yet, I haven't seen it. Is it a PPV movie.....or was it on network TV? I wonder if it's a book as well?

If it hadn't of stated it...I was going to say that it seems as Justin was jealous of Calpernia (yes...a beautiful name) and wanted Barry for himself, although he didn't know why.

Well....I can see it's touched you deeply and I TY for the synopsis!

[silentsoul]

I typed "soldier's girl" into the amazon.com search area and it was the first thing that popped up. You can probably find at the local blockbuster but it came out sometime in 2004 so it's fairly new. I guess I must have caught the premier or something.

Salina on amazon.com gave this review of the movie and I think it describes the movie PERFECTLY.

"Finally a true depiction of what love without gender boundries can really be. A beautiful love story, truly beautifully acted with a horrific ending. A good education for those who not realize what can exist between two people without regard to gender. That love can grow between two minds and not just between the sheets. Watch with an open mind and come away with a fresh outlook. A must see."

This movie is definitely worth looking for at the local blockbuster, you will not regret it.

[BlondeCurlGirl]

I was fortunate enough to study the Barry Winchel/Calpernia Addams case in a Sociology of Gender course that I took my final semester in college. While we had many, many case studies revolving around the issues of sexuality, gender identity, and other sociological trends, I found this one to be the most intruiging, inspiring, and truly sad. Sadly, Calpernia lost her one true love, and I admire her for her strength to do this movie in the midst of her loss.

Knowing the background and inspiration of this movie before seeing it will add more depth to my viewing experience, I am sure. I've heard such excellent reviews and can't wait to see it! I think this movie will raise awareness and have soem positive impact in the shadow of tragedy.

[silentsoul]

I'm not surprised the case is studied as it is extremely touching. This is one movie that I kinda feel should be mandatory viewing in high school. It's got a decent amount a titty shots and about as sexy as it is touching so I'm sure it'll never actually happen but it really opens your mind up to different ways of life. It's a movie that can't really be explained so do yourself a favor, see it. I PROMISE you won't be disappointed.