MovieChat Forums > Different for Girls (1997) Discussion > Up and Down

Up and Down

posted 14 years ago by annuskavdpol
6 replies | jump to latest

"Different for Girls" - was a pretty good movie. I think that it is an idealistic view of a transgender. I also think that the guy, would have a bit of an inner conflict about the sex-changed highschool friend. I think that the transition between accepting that the man he knew is now a woman - was a bit shallow. I mean that process can be long and confusing - and I don't think it was realistic that the guy just stepped over his confusion. Of course, he did have one book about transgenders - but what about the personal confusion - the turmoil of ones identity of a straight man - I mean - I just think it would not be that straight forward. I think there would be a deep confusion in the whole matter - confusion on the part of the transgender and of the one that loves the transgender. I understand that certain things in life cannot be explained and I believe that love can be one of these things - but even within the concept of love - there is turmoil and confusion - that is what I missed in this movie - the feeling - the portrayal of the feeling - something like the artwork, The Scream by Edward Munch. That kind of confusion. That transition - state - from man to woman. I believe that one stays in a state of 'influx' - between both sexes - man and woman - and it is the lover of the transgendered person that needs to be able to both be in that state of influx themselves and be able to live with the constant switching of genders - like the flicking on and off of a light switch. This is my opinion - my feeling ... I liked the movie Different for Girls - just would have wanted a bit more film development regarding the actually 'feelings' - perhaps in the way of cinematic flashbacks, music or theater design.
Annuska

[–] gwencfox 13 years ago

My own interpretation of Paul's inner turmoil is a bit different, and more in line with my own views (isn't that convenient?) as a transsexual woman myself. Personally, I didn't transition to become a woman. I transitioned to take off the boy costume I was forced to wear. I was always a woman. I think Paul may have finally recognized that in Kim, especially if you look at how he acted in the shower scene, and then later when he was looking at the class picture. If you notice, Paul is looking at Kim in an almost romantic way, even though Paul thought Kim was a boy named Karl at the time the picture was taken.

[–] annuskavdpol 13 years ago

Yes, I saw the way Paul was looking at the class picture with Karl in it. And yes, I saw that he had romantic feelings there. I also saw his romantic feelings when he looked at Kim. I believe you are right. I think Paul always loved Karl and Kim. Both and the same. I think he loved the person he met. He loved that person no matter what. Unconditional. To me that was clear. I believe that Paul was inlove. It was a great love story and I'm glad it all worked out in the end. You sound like an interesting person yourself. I hope that your journey went well for you. And I am taken aback by your candor. I respect the fact that you mentioned your own personal experience and related it to the movie. That takes courage. I admire that in a person. Thank you.

Annuska

[–] gwencfox 13 years ago

You're very welcome. Personally, my experiences have been much different from Kim's, and our paths are quite different. For example, I am not a fictional character, lol.

[–] annuskavdpol 13 years ago

I bet your life is very beautiful - but it could have a complicated side to it. However complicated is often a section of the overal beauty within a person. I am glad you are not a fictional character - you seem to be interesting and at least open to share something very private about yourself and I value and appreciate that side of you. I love movies and watching television. Changing the subject - but lately I've been watching Murder She Wrote and Law and Order Special Victims Unit - I love the rules and constraints within both series. Many things happen - but at the same time - everything ties up neat and tidy at the end. I like stories with begin, middle and ends. What kind of stories do you like?

Annuska

[–] hilljayne 13 years ago

My interpretation of Prentice was that he was a 'party boy'...was very comfortable with himself. He saw his friend as a woman now and the inner conflict came and went. Party Boys tend to be more comfortable with themselves and not delve deep into their souls to find answers...they just do what comes naturally. Kim was a woman...Prentice was attracted to her. End of.

Dammit Carol Sue, where is the vodka?!

[–] nnenok 12 years ago

I agree with this comment and I'm pretty surprised about the critique that Prentice took the change "too well". My attitude is completely opposite, I thought that Kim was making too much drama since reactions towards transgendered people tend to be much harsher then the one of Prentice. So her, instead of being glad that he doesn't judge her much but just doesn't know much about the topic. It's obvious that he doesn't judge and doesn't have problems with others' sexuality or identity when he says he thought already in school that Kim/Karl was gay - for someone with the "cool" image, becoming best friends with a gay guy is very rare. So I guess what he thought is just "Oh, you're a woman now? Okay, whatever. Let's go drive a bike". Not necessarily Mr. Sensitive, but definitely of a good heart.