 |
|
 | |
 | |
|
|
| |
| |
This is a slow, analytical film about a young man, Sebastian. He isn't doing very well at school, and his parents are anxious that he should apply himself more. And his father, Hank, (played by Clark Gregg) announces early on in the film that he is going to transition as a transsexual; he chooses the name Henrietta.
But the film handles the relationship issue in a more enlightened way than many other films; we don't analyse Henrietta's agonies, and the son is not disproportionately affected by Henrietta's decision.
Although the film develops rather slowly, my interest was riveted by a brief fight scene when Henrietta and Sebastian were practising baseball together. A man who knew Henrietta started to make mocking remarks. Sebastian, up until now, had not been positive towards Henrietta's choice, but now stoutly defends his father. However he is unable to overcome the other man physically, so Henrietta steps in and successfully beats him. The fight scene is a thousand times more believable than any other fight scene in films; the sudden flare-up of filial loyalty is inspiring. Henrietta's body language walking away from the fight is rather masculine too; all very believable.
I liked the film; the transgender issues were all in there, but with none of the usual dwelling on agonising dilemmas; it's a good entertaining film.
HF May 2005
 |
This Page: The Adventures of Sebastian ColeReturn to Alphabetical Index PageReturn to Home Page |
Hazel Freeman's |
 |
Hazel Freeman |
and hosted at |
|
