‘Boy Meets Girl’ a Complex Tale of Love, Friendship

“Boy Meets Girl” is more complex than its title suggests. By the end of the film, this reviewer was still debating to whom the title is referring.

Issues of sexuality, love and friendship are dealt with in a much more diplomatic way than one might expect in the primarily white, middle-to-upper-class society in the state of Kentucky. A lot of ground gets covered regarding what it means to be transsexual or transgender. Some assumptions are obliterated, such as that male-to-female trans people must be sexually attracted only to males.

“I wanted everyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, to have a chance to identify with the film’s themes of wanting to be unconditionally loved and accepted for who we are,” said Eric Schaeffer (“If Lucy Fell”), the film’s writer-director.

And as this film shows, a person’s identity isn’t always clearly defined. Newcomer Michelle Hendley is an attractive, compelling, real-life trans actress who allows the coming-of-age romantic comedy to work. The film also stars the delightful Michael Welch (“Twilight” franchise) and the lovely Alexandra Turshen (“The Handout Saint”).

The recent focus on trans people in shows such “Transparent” and “Orange Is the New Black,” as well as the current coverage of star athlete Bruce Jenner, has allowed for a better understanding of trans people. “Boy Meets Girl” is a film that can help put the conversation about trans people into the mainstream.

“The message in this film is the same as in all my work,” said Schaeffer. “Labeling leaves no room for who we really are, or how we really experience life. I think our only chance is to bury those labels forever in favor of a singular new one, human. Hate is easy. The real courage is in love.”

“Boy Meets Girl” was released on VOD this month through Wolfe Video, and is available on DVD as of April 28.