10 Craziest Method Acting Behind Great Performances
4. Hilary Swank Lived As A Man - Boys Don’t Cry
For her breakthrough, Oscar winning role as Brandon Teena, Swank went all in. Boys Don’t Try is based on a true story, and the importance of getting things right was not lost on the star. Boys Don’t Cry was made on a small budget - for it to work, the lead performance would have to be something special.
Swank spent 30 days living as a man in the build up to the film, and by all accounts she made a convincing transformation. Director Kimberly Pierce was insistent that the actress had this experience, and the visual makeover was complete not long after casting - it was convincing enough to fool Swank’s then-husband.
She used the same techniques as the real Brandon Teena, stuffing socks down her trousers and taping her chest - her own neighbours were fooled into believing that Swank’s brother was paying her a visit.
Swank knew that she had not just a duty to tell the story correctly but the chance to make her name in Boys Don’t Cry. She was paid just $3,000 for the role, but the hard work paid off - the performance was extremely powerful, and her career was kickstarted.