by Joe Buffaloe
Daily Lobo
Early in "Transamerica," the main character Bree - formerly Stanley - drags her finger over an opera record, transforming the soprano voice into a lethargic baritone. It's an obvious metaphor for transexuality, and the mechanical, purely physical way our society designates someone as either male or female.
In truth, like the record, one person can be both. But that's not what the movie is about.
In the warmest, sweetest film ever made about a transsexual masquerading as a church lady driving her coke-addicted, illegitimate prostitute son from New York to Los Angeles to work in the porn industry, one comes away with an understanding of humanity far beyond any ham-fisted slogan of acceptance.
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Instead, it's about overcoming self-absorption and learning to care for each other, no matter what situation our lives are in.
In the beginning, Bree - played by Felicity Huffman, who won a Golden Globe for the role - goes to see her son Toby - in an equally brilliant performance by Kevin Zegers - only so she can be declared psychologically fit for a final surgery to transform her into a woman. She avoids divulging the fact that she is Toby's father because of the inconvenience involved, allowing him to wallow in fantasies of a millionaire, half-Indian father in California.
As they drive across America, though, their relationship slowly evolves into that of a mother and son, until, without realizing it, their lives are entangled to the point of no return. By the time of her surgery, Bree cares far more about the people around her than her genitals.
It is a dramatic, moving story, but instead of making you cry, it will make you laugh until your stomach hurts. Irony pops up around every corner, whether it's Toby giving Bree a "Proud to be a Christian" trucker hat as a present or a group of make-up telemarketers all turning out to be former men. The dialogue is witty, smart and authentic, driving the story along without melodrama or cheap gags.
The plot and characters are full of surprises - as soon as you assume something, the movie will prove you wrong. This stems from writer/director Duncan Tucker's ability to inject every character with life - he shows that all people, not just transsexuals, are full of secrets and surprises, drama and laughter.
A brave, unflinching film, Tucker never hesitates to go where the story takes him. He strikes a masterful balance of comedy and substance, aided by creative cinematography and flawless performances. Most importantly, he reminds us what it means to be human whoever - or whatever - we are.
