Transamerica

2005, Comedy/Drama, 1h 43m

145 Reviews 50,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

A terrific performance by Felicity Huffman carries this unconventional but touching transgender road movie. Read critic reviews

You might also like

See More
Secretary
Monsoon Wedding
Frida
In America
Maria Full of Grace

Where to watch

Rent/buy Subscription Rent/buy Rent/buy

Rate And Review

User image

Verified

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Rate this movie

    Oof, that was Rotten.

    Meh, it passed the time.

    It’s good – I’d recommend it.

    Awesome!

    So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

    What did you think of the movie? (optional)

  • You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Step 2 of 2

    How did you buy your ticket?

    Let's get your review verified.

    • Fandango

    • AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew

    • Cinemark Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Regal Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Theater box office or somewhere else

    By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.

    You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Rate this movie

    Oof, that was Rotten.

    Meh, it passed the time.

    It’s good – I’d recommend it.

    Awesome!

    So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

    What did you think of the movie? (optional)

  • How did you buy your ticket?

    • Fandango

    • AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew

    • Cinemark Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Regal Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Theater box office or somewhere else

    By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.

Transamerica Photos

View All Photos (31)

Movie Info

Right in the midst of important changes in her life, Bree Osborne (Felicity Huffman) learns that she fathered a son, Toby (Kevin Zegers), 17 years ago. Bailing him out of jail in New York, Bree poses as a Christian missionary. She plans to take Toby to his stepfather's house, but when she learns that the stepfather sexually abused the boy, Bree brings her son back to Los Angeles with her. As Toby begins to fall for Bree, she must find a way to reveal who she really is.
  • Rating:
    R (Language|Drug Use|Nudity|Sexual Content)
  • Genre:
    Comedy, Drama, Lgbtq+
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Duncan Tucker
  • Producer:
    Linda Moran, Rene Bastian, Sebastian Dungan
  • Writer:
    Duncan Tucker
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     original
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $9.0M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Weinstein Co.
  • Sound Mix:
    Dolby Digital

Cast & Crew

Felicity Huffman
Bree
Kevin Zegers
Toby
Fionnula Flanagan
Elizabeth
Graham Greene
Calvin
Burt Young
Murray
Elizabeth Peña
Margaret
Bianca Leigh
Mary Ellen
Jon Budinoff
Alex
Carrie Preston
Sydney
Maurice Orozco
Fernando
Duncan Tucker
Director
Duncan Tucker
Screenwriter
Linda Moran
Producer
Rene Bastian
Producer
Sebastian Dungan
Producer
Eve Battaglia
Casting
Show all Cast & Crew

News & Interviews for Transamerica

Indie Spirit Awards Distributed
2005 Oscar Nominations Are In!
Golden Globes Results – It Rhymes with "Chick Flick"
View All

Critic Reviews for Transamerica

All Critics (145) | Top Critics (47) | Fresh (112) | Rotten (33)
Full Review… Victoria Segal New Statesman Full Review… Zadie Smith Daily Telegraph (UK) Full Review… Sandra Hall Sydney Morning Herald Full Review… Marjorie Baumgarten Austin Chronicle Full Review… Jeff Strickler Minneapolis Star Tribune Full Review… James Berardinelli ReelViews Full Review… Bruce C. Steele The Advocate Full Review… Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Full Review… Veronica Vera Transgender Tapestry Full Review… David Lamble Bay Area Reporter Full Review… Micheal Compton Bowling Green Daily News Full Review… Alexander Ryll Gay Essential
View All Critic Reviews (145)

Audience Reviews for Transamerica

  • May 12, 2014
    Huffman's portrayal of transgendered person is remarkable. Unfortunately the acting triumph is wasted by a bit of wishy washy sentimentality.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Aug 29, 2013
    One of my favourite films, essentially an American version of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, filled with surprising characters and tongue in cheek jokes. Felicity Huffman is simply remarkable in her performance, so does Kevin Zegers. The complexity of the drama is so immense, it's something that everyone should watch.
    Sylvester K Super Reviewer
  • Jul 19, 2012
    Lovely movie. Huffman was awesome as the sensitive Bree. Interesting how they chose a woman for the part instead of a man, but it totally worked. I like how the emphasis isn't on the transgender theme, but in growing as a person and connecting with other people.
    Saskia D Super Reviewer
  • Jul 22, 2010
    Theoretically, I should love this movie. Huffman's performance is honest and uninhibited, complete with a crying scene that rivals Viola Davis's leaky nose. However, to quote the guy standing in line in Annie Hall, it failed "to hit me on a gut level." I think a further comparison to Doubt is in order. Both films are technically strong, but the lack the creative, raw energy that we see in There Will Be Blood and The Wrestler (other movies featuring a strong lead performance).
    Jim H Super Reviewer
See All Audience reviews

Movie & TV guides