However, this story I find to be a bit more complicated than a "trans" story. I am not suggesting that what I am about to write has gone into the thinking of the producers, but nevertheless here is my argument about why it might be equally subversive to have a "woman" -Nicole Kidman- play the part.

Einar Wegener -Kidman's character- is someone who lived first part of their life as a man, and went through what was considered to be the first sex exchange operation, true. But Wegener had a condition referred to as the Kleinfelder's syndrom, and that is what complicates this story. Kleinfelder's syndrom is described as a condition only seen in "men", and here is a list of characteristics: These people have an XXY chromosome structure, sparse facial and hair, enlarged breasts, a small penis and small testicles, and they do not produce sperm. What all this makes me think of right away is whyand how it was decided to refer to Kleinfelter's people as "men with an extra X chromosome" and not "women with an extra Y chromosome." These people have quite a bit of the female secondary sex characteristics (such as breasts and sparse hairless etc.), and most importantly they do not produce sperm. Biologists categorize species into male and female according to the size of the gametes they produce. Larger gametes are called egg and smaller ones are called sperm, and of course we know who is supposed to produce what. In any case, a human being who does not produce neither cannot be categorized as either. The existence of the smaller penis and testicles might have been the reason why these people are assigned male at birth, however today we know the huge problems that arise with categorizing genitals neatly into male and female from intersexuality.

Also, it is interesting Kleinfelter's it is considered a genetic "abnormality" even though it is reported to be seen in every 1000 men. I even read a statement that said "a very common genetic abnormality" which made me smile given the contradiction.

All this makes me be very skeptical about the neat categorization of people with Kleinfelter's syndrome into the "male" category. This I partly attribute to what happens in the case of intersexed: instead of revising our understanding of gender and genitalia, it comes much easier to enforce random abstract "standards" upon actual bodies. It seems much more unacceptable to let people decide their gender later in life. In the specific case of Kleinfelter's, however, I also cannot help to think that this culture's fear of masculine women has to do something with this.

In any case, as I said, I have no idea if any of this went into the thinking about casting -my guess is not. I think Kidman will have to pull of an amazing performance, which I trust she will. Though when it comes to the politics of the case, I find it equally, if not more, subversive to have Kidman play this part. And I hope that this will make a lot of people think about bodies, sexuality, and gender once again.

ps: I have to admit that I still have not read the book, i just know the story. I am sure there are more details that complicate everything I wrote above…

SaraMichelle said: If these stories are not told I don't see how we can ever get people to understand the situations so many trans individuals face and the journeys they have had to endure during their lives.

I always think this is an interesting argument for any one group and it is certainly a valid one, but from what I can tell it is one that doesn't make one bit of a difference. I know that is an extremely negative way to look at it, but the biggest problem is that the people that need to be affected by a story such as this or say Transamerica or the likes of Brokeback Mountain or the upcoming Milk, won't go see it based solely on their bias. I've been having a similar argument over on my blog (read here) and I hope society will wake up and realize people are people, but it looks like it is going to take a LONG time unfortunately.

It's like I said about Prop 8 in that blog story, I can't believe how offended I am by Prop 8 and I am not even gay. It's a sad state of affairs if you ask me.

For me, it is the performance that matters. While I tend to think it is more realistic and honest for a male actor to take on a MTF trans character (like Tom Wilkinson did so beautifully in "Normal"), I just as equally believe this does not always need to be the case. As long as the representation is honest, true and doesn't resort to cheap stereotypes, I'm all for as many genuine depictions of the trans community onscreen as you can find. If it takes "stunt" casting like Kidmans for this to happen, then so be it, because without her involvement I really do not see how this story A) would get any sort of attention from mainstream audiences and, B) would probably even get made in the first place.

If these stories are not told I don't see how we can ever get people to understand the situations so many trans individuals face and the journeys they have had to endure during their lives. The road to gender acceptance is far from an easy one and it is littered with doubt, despair and depression. But there are many triumphs, too, victories along the way that have made this community stronger and more vibrant than ever before. As long as filmmakers tap into the emotional wellspring, as long as they don't belittle and mock in ways that are hurtful and ignorant, I don't really care who plays these characters; all I care is that they get it right.

(Incidentally, of the actors listed about Mackintosh's is by far the most true-to-life and genuine, and even if the movie resorts to easy cliche and cheap melodrama during the climax this actor's performance is easily beyond reproach.)