XXY

Name: XXY
Genre: Drama
Released: May 2, 2008
Duration: 86 min
Rating: 67

2008

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Ratings

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7.7

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7.7	Your Score
7.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Unrated

Film Movement | Release Date: May 2, 2008

Summary: For just about everybody, adolescence means having to confront a number of choices and life decisions, but rarely any as monumental as the one facing 15-year-old Alex, who was born an intersex child. As Alex begins to explore her sexuality, her mother invites friends from Buenos Aires to come for a visit at their house on the gorgeousFor just about everybody, adolescence means having to confront a number of choices and life decisions, but rarely any as monumental as the one facing 15-year-old Alex, who was born an intersex child. As Alex begins to explore her sexuality, her mother invites friends from Buenos Aires to come for a visit at their house on the gorgeous Uruguayan shore, along with their 16-year-old son, Alvaro (Martin Piroyanski). Alex is immediately attracted to the young man, which adds yet another level of complexity to her personal search for identity and forces both families to face their worst fears. (Film Movement)
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Director: Lucía Puenzo

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: Unrated

Runtime: 86 min

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Awards & Rankings

2	#2 Most Shared Movie of 2008

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

San Francisco Chronicle - David Wiegand

As finely crafted as a great work of literature. Read full review

Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert

The shots are beautifully composed, the editing paces the process of self-discovery, the dialogue is spare and heartfelt, the performances are deeply human -- especially by Efron. Read full review

Portland Oregonian - Marc Mohan

The word "hermaphrodite" is never actually uttered, for instance, and the whole topic is revealed obliquely, mostly through the puzzled eyes of Alvaro. Most impressively, a tale that could have been handled with condescending simplicity becomes a testament to the flawed but noble humanity of both parents and children. Read full review

Washington Post - Michael O'Sullivan

XXY is, in the best possible sense of the word, an awkward film. Read full review

Variety - Jonathan Holland

Picture has more in common with standard child-parent conflict dramas than it would probably care to admit, but its sensitive treatment of an equally sensitive theme elevates it into something memorable. Read full review

The New York Times - Stephen Holden

If XXY is imagistically too programmatic (a scene of carrots being sliced is typical of its Freudian heavy-handedness) and devoid of humor, it never seems pruriently exploitative. It sustains an unsettling mood of ambiguity that lingers long after the final credits. Read full review

Los Angeles Times - Kevin Thomas

The genitally ambiguous as well as transsexuals and gay people deserve more than XXY's good intentions. Read full review

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User Reviews

Halfwelshman

Oct 17, 2011

XXY works on so many levels. It intelligently debates a highly contentious issue, it's an emotional teenage drama, and it's a story of finding acceptance, not just with the world, but with yourself. The film approaches a scarcely discussed subject - that of the intersex. It deals with thisXXY works on so many levels. It intelligently debates a highly contentious issue, it's an emotional teenage drama, and it's a story of finding acceptance, not just with the world, but with yourself. The film approaches a scarcely discussed subject - that of the intersex. It deals with this difficult topic in a relatively matter-of-fact way - it's as much a story about an adolescent coming of age and feeling comfortable in their own skin as it is about being born different to the majority of the world. Thankfully, the film is never patronising or overly sentimental, and leaves it open for viewers to make their own judgements about the complex and divisive issues being raised. Ines Efron is absolutely captivating in the lead role of Alex, and it is very easy to invest in her as a character and appreciate the gravity of the life-changing decisions she is about to make. Ricardo Darin is also exceptional as Alex's ever-proud and supporting father. There is also a very distinctive look to the film - cool hues and frequent visual cues linked to the sea and marine life give the film a sombre tone with a strong philosophical underpinning. The visuals, while distinctive, never detract from the focus of the film - character. We never lose sight of the inner (and outer) termoil of Alex and her family, and the journey all the film's characters go through is highly memorable. Irrespective of its subject matter, XXY is a fine example of thoroughly engaging and thoughtful filmmaking.… Expand

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JahneW.

Aug 30, 2008

This is a pretty good movie. I liked the directors chioce of using cool colours because that added to the mood of the movie. It had a very sad and depressing mood to it. Also, I do not speak spanish and I still enjoyed watching this and it caught my attention. For me to be interested in a This is a pretty good movie. I liked the directors chioce of using cool colours because that added to the mood of the movie. It had a very sad and depressing mood to it. Also, I do not speak spanish and I still enjoyed watching this and it caught my attention. For me to be interested in a movie I can't understand the diolouge to is a plus.… Expand

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Steve

Apr 20, 2009

Affecting and thoughtful drama with an outstanding lead performance.

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alejandro970

Oct 6, 2018

El tema del hermafroditismo contado con toda seriedad y sin prejuicios. Pudo salir mucho mejor si no fuera porque se siente que, con buenas intenciones y todo, el asunto se queda en la superficie. Buen intento pero no es un desperdicio de tiempo.

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bruces

Apr 30, 2008

This is not a very good movie...of course not it's what can i say.....it's grotesque or really strong for me sorry.

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