I'm always on the lookout for films that are a little different from the norm. While I can numb by brain enough to get into the average pop culture flick, when I can watch a movie that allows me to pay a little closer attention, I do. Most of the times these 'on the fringe' movies are so-so, but occasionally I get lucky and happen across one that catches me unawares. Such was the case with the recent "Transamerica." "Transamerica" first came to my attention due to all the award nominations that were being bestowed upon its star, Felicity Huffman. Even before I was introduced to the plot, I pretty much guessed that it had something to do with transvestitism, just didn't know what exactly.

As it turned out, I learned that the reason Huffman was gaining so much attention was the fact that she was playing a man working towards becoming a woman. Of course, we all know Felicity Huffman is quite a lovely actress so I had to wonder just what could have been done physically to prepare her for the role. Then the first pictures started showing up and I was floored. Being that I do a little special effects makeup work on the side, I can truly appreciate the talent and work that goes into an exceptional makeup job. And let me tell you, this was an exceptional makeup job.

My strongest memory of seeing a movie that featured a transsexual character had to have been, "The World According to Garp." In it, John Lithgow played and ex football star who became a woman. To date, his was one of the best performances in this kind of role that I had ever seen (of course… it WAS John Lithgow… has he ever done any role that wasn't memorable). I can’t count Hoffman's performance in "Tootsie", because after all… he was just cross dressing to get work. But now that the Weinstein company is releasing it on DVD, I had my first chance to watch the film and see for myself why Huffman deserved every single nomination she got (as well as the handful of wins… ).

Before I even get into the movie itself, let me say that Huffman's transformation into a man who is transforming into a woman is outstanding. The makeup job, as I mentioned is incredible as you are very hard-pressed to even recognize her. But then, what is a good makeup job without a good performance? Huffman has every mannerism and vocal inflection down perfect. And we're not talking about just acting and sounding like a man, but acting and sounding like a man TRYING to act and sound like a woman. I know it seems a little confusing, but you really have to see her performance to believe it.

What surprised me the most about the film was that it was not about Stanley Schupak's trials, tribulations and surgeries to become Sabrina Osborne. That was actually more of a side note to the film. Instead, first time director Duncan Tucker chose to make a 'road picture' by uniting Stanley/Sabrina with the son who was the product of a college fling. He/she snatches him from New York, without initially telling him of his parentage. Toby (Kevin Zegers) is a 17 year old hustler who has dreams of becoming a porn star, so he joins Stanley/Sabrina on a cross country trip that will eventually land them in California. Along the way they meet all manner of people from hitchhikers to Indians, and even spend a little ill-advised time with Stanley/Sabrina's parents (Burt Young and Fionnula Flannigan).

Coming in a close second in the surprise department was the fact that it was also a comedy. Not a laugh-out-loud brainless kind of comedy, but a more intelligently subdued type. "Transamerica" offers a lot more laughs than I had expected, but not so much as to overwhelm some of the facets of human nature that it is trying to point out or the quieter moments of poignancy the main characters share.

The DVD from Weinstein caught my eye from the moment I opened the package. The DVD case has a cardboard sleeve that fits over it which sports a lenticular cover. Depending on which way you hold it, you see Felicity Huffman as she really looks or as Stanley/Sabrina. Once inside, the DVD offers a commentary by the director, two separate 'conversations' between the director and stars Huffman and Zeger, the video for Dolly Parton's 'Travelin Thru', a featurette about Parton's involvement and a short blooper reel. Of all of the features, the commentary and the blooper reel were the best, but check out the rest if you have the time.

One a side note, I really have to hand it to the voting members of the Academy Awards this year. In the category of Best Song, the pickings were really slim, but I would have picked Parton's song over that travesty of noise that was performed by 3-6 (hut hut hut) Mafia. Having that piece of garbage as a winning 'song' really lowered the playing field for anyone else who thinks they can write an Academy Award winning piece of music.

But I digress. "Transamerica" ended up being a movie that I enjoyed and appreciated much more than I expected. I loved the fact that it took what should have seemed like the central plot and relegated to the background. We are still given a story about transformation, but not in the physical sense. It is more a transformation of the soul both for our main characters and a handful of those they meet. Ultimately it is a story of acceptance.

Directed by: Duncan Tucker
Starring: Felicity Huffman, Kevin Zegers, Fionnula Flanagan, Elizabeth Pena, Graham Greene
Extras: Commentary by director Duncan Tucker, Conversation with Duncan Tucker and Felicity Huffman, Conversation with Duncan Tucker and Kevin Zegers, Dolly Parton music video "Travelin' Thru", "Travelin' Thru: Behind the Scenes" featurette
Specifications: Widescreen (1.78:1), Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Studio: Weinstein Company
Release Date: 5/23/2006
Region 1
MPAA Rating: R (For Sexual Content, Nudity, Language and Drug Use)

We'll give Transamerica a B.