Transamerica (2005)

Director:

Duncan Tucker

Writer:

Duncan Tucker (writer)

Release Date:

10 February 2006 (Denmark)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Life is more than the sum of its parts.

Plot:

A pre-operative male-to-female transsexual takes an unexpected journey when she learns that she fathered a son, now a teenage runaway hustling on the streets of New York.

Plot Keywords:

Sex Change | Transsexual | Psychiatrist | Therapist | Bail

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 26 wins & 12 nominations

Cast

Andrea James	...	Voice Coach
Felicity Huffman	...	Bree
Danny Burstein	...	Dr. Spikowsky
Maurice Orozco	...	Fernando
Elizabeth Peña	...	Margaret
Craig Bockhorn	...	Sergeant
Paul Borghese	...	New York City Cop
Kevin Zegers	...	Toby
Jon Budinoff	...	Alex
Venida Evans	...	Arletty
Raynor Scheine	...	Bobby Jensen
Kate Bayley	...	Tennessee Waitress
Stella Maeve	...	Taylor
Teala Dunn	...	Little Girl
Jim Frangione	...	Taylor's Father
Bianca Leigh	...	Mary Ellen
Kelly O'Donnell	...	Kelly
Calpernia Addams	...	Calpernia
Sandi Alexander	...	Sandi
Melissa Sklarz	...	Melissa
Felicia Kittles	...	Felicia
David Harrison	...	David
Lynn Laurino	...	Lady in Pink
Forrie J. Smith	...	Sammy (as Forrie Smith)
Grant Monohon	...	Hitchhiker
Graham Greene	...	Calvin
Fionnula Flanagan	...	Elizabeth
Burt Young	...	Murray
Carrie Preston	...	Sydney
Elayne Stein	...	Phoenix Lady
Amy Povich	...	Phoenix Cop
Burton Ellis	...	Male Nurse (as Burton Elias)
Cecy	...	Filipino Nurse
Matt Young	...	Wayne
Barbara Barron	...	Mrs. Swallow (as Barbara Hubbard Barron)
Steve Hurwitz	...	Harvey
Richard Poe	...	John
Lou Lou	...	Gas Station Dog
Zero T. Poodle	...	Lucky
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Wesley Norton	...	Trucker (uncredited)
David Sotelo	...	Man in Truck (uncredited)

Directed by
Duncan Tucker

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Duncan Tucker		writer

Produced by
Rene Bastian	....	producer (as René Bastian)
Lucy Cooper	....	associate producer
Lucy Cooper	....	line producer
Sebastian Dungan	....	producer
William H. Macy	....	executive producer
Linda Moran	....	producer

Original Music by
David Mansfield

Cinematography by
Stephen Kazmierski		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Pam Wise

Casting by
Eve Battaglia

Production Design by
Mark White

Set Decoration by
Lisa Scoppa		(as Lisa Crivelli Scoppa)

Costume Design by
Danny Glicker

Makeup Department
Lynn Campbell	....	key hair stylist
Lynn Campbell	....	key makeup artist
Jason Hayes	....	wig designer: Felicity Huffman, Hot House Flowers Beauty Services
Gerard Kelly	....	wig designer: Felicity Huffman, Hot House Flowers Beauty Services
Heidi Kulow	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Celia Hallquist	....	production manager: Los Angeles
Elinyisia Mosha	....	production manager
Karen O'Toole	....	production manager: Arizona

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
David Blazina	....	additional second assistant director
Lauren Guilmartin	....	second assistant director
Urs Hirschbiegel	....	first assistant director
Sebastian Mazzola	....	first assistant director: Los Angeles
Justin Ritson	....	second second assistant director

Art Department
Pastor Alvarado III	....	prop assistant
Kat Donahue	....	set dresser: New York
Neil Driscoll Jr.	....	leadman: New York
Jeff Everett	....	art director: Los Angeles
Sam Gutierrez	....	leadman: Arizona (as Samuel Gutierrez)
Duke Scoppa	....	property master (as Edward P. Scoppa Jr.)
Todd M. Serkland	....	set dresser: Arizona
Emily Gaunt	....	scenic (uncredited)

Sound Department
Carlie Bergman	....	adr assistant
Carlie Bergman	....	foley assistant
Louis Bertini	....	supervising sound editor
Leslie Bloom	....	foley artist
Laura Congleton	....	assistant sound editor
David Diamond	....	sound mixer: Los Angeles (as Dave Diamond)
Christopher Fondulas	....	boom operator: New York
Katherine Gordon Miller	....	assistant sound editor (as Katherine Miller)
Douglas Murray	....	adr mixer (as Doug Murray)
Douglas Murray	....	foley mixer (as Doug Murray)
Griffin Richardson	....	sound recordist
Christopher Rich	....	sound facility supervisor
Gabriel Sanders	....	boom operator: Arizona
Tony Volante	....	sound re-recording mixer
David Corcoran	....	sound recordist (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Markus Janner	....	opticals: Duart Digital
Jennifer Russomanno	....	opticals: Duart Digital
Keith Yurevitz	....	opticals: Duart Digital
Charlie Kirby	....	MTI artist (uncredited)

Stunts
Manny Siverio	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Tom Camarda	....	director of photography: Los Angeles
Jay Coolidge	....	second assistant camera: Arizona
Ricardo Fernandes	....	camera production assistant
Ryan Hill	....	gaffer: Los Angeles
Bob Izzo	....	key grip
Denisse Kindl	....	camera loader: Los Angeles (as Denise Kindl)
Josh Madera	....	key grip: Los Angeles
Jim Mickle	....	best boy grip
Jessica Miglio	....	still photographer: New York
Laura Nespola	....	second assistant camera: New York
Doug Oh	....	first assistant camera: Los Angeles
Joseph Paolini	....	third grip
Marialuisa Ramirez	....	third electrician
Eddie Rodriguez	....	first assistant camera
R. Samul	....	swing
Steve Siddell	....	best boy electric
Jason Velez	....	gaffer
Rafael Winer	....	still photographer: New York & Arizona

Casting Department
Gaye Gilbert	....	casting: Arizona, Producers Network (as Gay Gilbert)
Gil Kruger	....	casting assistant (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Erika Munro	....	wardrobe supervisor
Tara Wise	....	wardrobe production assistant (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Ed Beyer	....	film timer (as Ed Beyers)
Mara Farrington	....	assistant editor (as Mara Safransky)
Joe Monge	....	technical supervisor: Duart
John Rehberger	....	on-line editor: Duart
Jane Tolmachyov	....	colorist: Duart (as Jane Tolmachov)

Music Department
Doug Bernheim	....	music supervisor
Katie Bull	....	vocal coach: Felicity Huffman
David Mansfield	....	musician

Transportation Department
Tony Diaz	....	driver: grip/electrician truck

Other crew
Roni Armstrong	....	craft service: Verna's Viddles
Michele Baker	....	location manager
Kate Bayley	....	assistant: Felicity Huffman
David Bianchi	....	assistant location manager: Arizona
Kathryn Blacker	....	set production assistant
Matthew Braman	....	set production assistant
Emerson E. Bruns	....	production counsel
Federico Brusilovsky	....	key production assistant: Arizona
Blake Davis	....	set production assistant
Sharif Davis	....	set production assistant
Jason Dorris	....	additional production assistant
Scott Ferlisi	....	location scout: New York
Rebecca Fulton	....	script supervisor
Christoper Gerrit	....	production assistant: Los Angeles (as Christopher Gerrit)
Bret A. Haines	....	set production assistant
Verna Hampton	....	craft service: Verna's Viddles
Ryan Horrigan	....	set production assistant
Greg Houston	....	production assistant
Sondra James	....	loop group coordinator
Markus Janner	....	title designer: Duart Digital
Theis Jessen	....	assistant to producers
Nathan Kappel	....	additional production assistant (as Nathaniel Kappel)
Alexandra Keen	....	head of legal and business affairs
Todd Kruger	....	production assistant: Los Angeles
Jesse Lehrhoff	....	set production assistant
Marlon Marcelle	....	production assistant
Dominic Mazzola	....	production assistant: Los Angeles
Marcy McKenzie	....	assistant location manager: New York
Danielle Motti	....	office production assistant
Chad Nicholson	....	set production assistant (as Chad Richard Nicholson)
Shane O'Dell	....	office manager
Jason Perez	....	set production assistant
Rachel Richwine	....	production intern
Camilla Rubis	....	production intern
Jennifer Russomanno	....	title designer: Duart Digital
Katie Scholz	....	set production assistant
Gwen Schroeder	....	assistant production office coordinator (as Gwen Schmitt)
Michael Sledd	....	production coordinator
Sally Steele	....	publicist
Cordelia Stephens	....	clearances
Cordelia Stephens	....	product placement
Jesse Toledano	....	key production assistant: New York
Jeremy Walker	....	publicist: Jeremy Walker + Associates Inc.
Kristel Wedin	....	set production assistant
Tara Wise	....	additional production assistant (as Tara R. Wise)
Keith Yurevitz	....	title designer: Duart Digital
Blanca Camacho	....	adr loop group (uncredited)
Blake Davis	....	production coordinator: second unit (uncredited)
Lauren Fritz	....	location scout (uncredited)
Dan O'Meara	....	sales representative (uncredited)

Thanks
Lawrence Blume	....	special thanks
Brian David Cange	....	special thanks
Marília Pêra	....	special thanks (as Marila Pera)
Laila Robins	....	special thanks
Barbara Sukowa	....	special thanks (as Barbara Sukova)

Production Companies

• Belladonna Productions

Distributors

• ContentFilm International (2005) (worldwide) (all media) (sales)
• A-Film Distribution (2006) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Alfa Films (2006) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Ascot Elite Entertainment Group (2006) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Bac Films (2006) (France) (theatrical)
• Cathay-Keris Films (2006) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• Falcom Media (2006) (Germany) (theatrical)
• First Distributors (2005) (Hong Kong) (theatrical)
• Hopscotch Productions (2006) (Australia) (theatrical)
• IFC Films (2005) (USA) (theatrical)
• Pathé Distribution (2005) (UK) (theatrical)
• Weinstein Company, The (2005) (USA) (theatrical)
• A-Film Home Entertainment (2006) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Barbar Film (2006) (Turkey) (all media)
• Canvas (2008) (Belgium) (TV)
• DNC Entertainment (2006) (Italy) (all media)
• Gateno Films (2006) (Peru) (all media)
• Impuls Home Entertainment (2006) (Switzerland) (DVD)
• Nordisk Film (2006) (Finland) (DVD)
• Oy Nordisk Film (2006) (Finland) (DVD)
• Prorom Media-Trade (2006) (Romania) (all media)
• RTL Entertainment (2009) (Netherlands) (TV) (RTL8)
• Sandrew Metronome Distribution (2006) (Denmark) (all media)
• Universum Film (UFA) (2006) (Germany) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Du Art Digital (opticals) (as Duart Digital)

Other Companies

• Abel Cine Tech  camera equipment (as Abel Cinetech)
• Cars On Location  picture cars
• D.R. Reiff & Associates  insurance
• David Gatti Accountant  payroll accountant
• Directors' Catering  catering: New York
• Du Art Digital  titles (as Duart Digital)
• Duart  dailies
• Duart  post-production facilities
• Eastman Kodak  film stock
• Echo-Technicolor Sound Services  additional adr facility (as Technicolor/Echo Sound)
• Extra Mile  extras casting: New York
• Fathers' Garden Catering  catering: Arizona
• Hot House Flowers Beauty Services  wig design: Felicity Huffman
• J.G. Films  negative cutting
• JV Electrics  grip & electric equipment: New York
• Jeremy Walker + Associates  publicity
• Jeremy Walker + Associates  unit publicity
• Massive & Crew  parking coordinator
• Nettwerk Records  soundtrack
• Phoenix Film Office  special thanks
• Producers Network Associates  casting: Arizona (as Producers Network)
• Reel Men  grip & electric equipment: Arizona
• Soundtrack F/T  post sound facility
• Verna's Vittles  craft service

MPAA:

Rated R for sexual content, nudity, language and drug use.

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R | UK:15 | Australia:MA | Finland:K-15 | Ireland:16 (theatrical rating) | Netherlands:MG6 | Malaysia:18PL | Philippines:R-13 | Singapore:R21 | Portugal:M/16 | Germany:12 | Canada:18A | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Argentina:16 | China:(Banned) | Japan:R-15 | Brazil:14 | Iceland:14 (original rating) | Iceland:16 (video rating) | France:U (with warning) | South Korea:18 | Chile:14 | Ireland:15 (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

Arizona, USA

Company:

Belladonna Productions

Trivia:

The initial idea for the screenplay occurred in a conversation between screenwriter/director Duncan Tucker and intersex actress Katherine Connella. While discussing male/female perceptions, Connella shocked Tucker (they had been sharing a house for about four months at the time) with the revelation that she had been raised as a male.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: In the wide shot of the first scene in the car, as Brie tells Toby to "take his feet off the dash," the camera truck can be seen in the reflection on their car.

Quotes:

Elizabeth Osbourne: Look at your life. You've never been able to stick to a decision. I mean, 10 years of college and not a single degree. How do you know you won't change your mind about this, too?
[brief pause]
Bree Osbourne: Because I know.
Elizabeth Osbourne: Don't do this awful thing to yourself, please. I miss my son.
Bree Osbourne: Mom, you never had a son.
Elizabeth Osbourne: [crying] How can you say such a thing?
Bree Osbourne: Now you know how I felt when you hired those private detectives.
Elizabeth Osbourne: [crying] We only tried to do the best for you.
Bree Osbourne: Is that why you tried to have me committed?
Elizabeth Osbourne: [shouting] You tried to kill yourself!
[...]

Movie Connections:

Features Finding Your Female Voice (2002) (V)

Soundtrack:

We're All in This Together

Felicity Huffman's wry performance is Oscar quality

I first saw Transamerica as the closing film for the Frameline film festival in San Francisco where it won the "The Frameline Audience Award for Best Feature". The film was obviously a labor of love. Duncan Tucker wrote, directed and wisely cast Felicity Huffman as Bree (before she had been cast as a "desperate housewife"). Huffman's husband William Macy was executive producer.

The plot line is certainly the tried and true formula of the transformational road trip, yet the irony of Bree's concurrent sexual transformation freshens a story that could easily have been cliché. Kevin Zegers and the rest of the supporting cast are superb, but Huffman's characterization of Bree is Oscar caliber.

See Transamerica! It's not tragic like "Boys Don't Cry". It's not about sexuality, fetish, or camp. It's a movie about otherness, transformation, family, and ultimately acceptance. Felicity Huffman's Golden Globe winning and Oscar nominated performance is absolutely astounding. Her acting skill fills Bree with insecurity, pathos, warmth, humor, and growth which ultimately transforms the audience's involvement from freak show curiosity to empathy and identification.

Thankfully the Weinstein brothers recognized just how outstandingly strong this performance is and decided that Transamerica would be one of the first films they would choose to distribute after their great success at Miramax.

I saw this movie again during it's limited distribution, again in general distribution and now own the DVD. Each time I've watched it I find even more to like. Transamerica is an indie classic.