Ok so who doesn't love Ang Lee? His films scream quality and he has quite a knack for interpreting cultures outside of his own; from the staid, British stiff upper lip of Sense and Sensibility to bringing the classic American Western genre bang up to date in Brokeback Mountain. There seems to be nothing this director can't turn his hand to, so we're excited to see him take on the sixties in this week's bit new release, Taking Woodstock.
The film stars stand up comedian Demetri Martin (if you haven't seen him in action we highly recommend it) in his first film role but what really catches our eye from the trailer is the highly unusual sight of Live Schreiber in full drag playing Vilma; a burly transvestite hired as concert security. In his honour, we take a look at ten other characters who don't let their gender hold them back!
1. Tootsie (Tootsie)
Like Josephine and Daphne in Some Like It Hot and Victoria in Victor/Victoria, Tootsie tells the story of somebody who starts to cross dress out of necessity but then finds themselves getting used to the idea. Dustin Hoffman plays Michael Dorsey, a man with such a reputation for being difficult he can't get a job anymore. Michael decides to start again with a new identity; spunky Southern belle Dorothy Michaels. Dorothy is so successful, that she takes over Michael's life and we're not surprised, Dorothy is one of our favourite comic creations!
2. Josephine and Daphne (Some Like It Hot)
Now we know the fifties were simpler times but really how did nobody twig the fact that Josephine and Daphne were less than suited to life in an all women's jazz band... Sure, they may have studied how women act, talk and walk ("Like Jello on springs!") but they both looked decidedly suspicious! This is particularly true of Hollywood heart-throb and thoroughly manly man Tony Curtis. Though he throws himself into the role with aplomb there's no getting over the broad shoulders, chiselled jaw and odd, falsetto voice. Daphne (Jack Lemmon) meanwhile gets so carried away he finds himself a fiancé!