The blurb/description for this is actually quite misleading. Luke isn't insecure in his masculinity until his recently post-pubescent body starts becoming more feminine as his sexual desires become increasingly intense. The speculative fiction element proposes that Luke has a certain extra chromosome, which doesn't allow him to change sex at will, but rather to spontaneously switch gender after climax. This makes for a few rather amusing scenarios, as Luke so aptly puts it:
"I make out with a girl, I start turning into one. You've gotta admit that's a little weird."
While the science in this film is questionable at best, I absolutely love the idea of spontaneous gender-swapping.Of course this situation gets more complicated for Luke as he starts falling in love with a girl even though he sometimes finds himself more physically attracted to her brother.
Aside from the hilarity that ensues when a teenage boy starts turning into a girl, there's an underlying thread of philosophy here, an important one that raises the question of gender identity, of love in the face of flexible sexuality, and of self-actuality. It's a refreshingly light-hearted take on some serious subject matter that ultimately results in a more spiritual-sexual awakening rather than just a typical coming-of-age watershed. While not explicit, the film doesn't shy away from open discussions of sex, including masturbation and the loss of virginity so be prepared.
I'd like to leave you with another favorite quote from the movie, which not only sums up the gist of this story and why I think this film is so special:
Luke: "I am supposed to be a guy."
Michelle: "There's no supposed to be anything. You just are."
"I make out with a girl, I start turning into one. You've gotta admit that's a little weird."
While the science in this film is questionable at best, I absolutely love the idea of spontaneous gender-swapping.Of course this situation gets more complicated for Luke as he starts falling in love with a girl even though he sometimes finds himself more physically attracted to her brother.
Aside from the hilarity that ensues when a teenage boy starts turning into a girl, there's an underlying thread of philosophy here, an important one that raises the question of gender identity, of love in the face of flexible sexuality, and of self-actuality. It's a refreshingly light-hearted take on some serious subject matter that ultimately results in a more spiritual-sexual awakening rather than just a typical coming-of-age watershed. While not explicit, the film doesn't shy away from open discussions of sex, including masturbation and the loss of virginity so be prepared.
I'd like to leave you with another favorite quote from the movie, which not only sums up the gist of this story and why I think this film is so special:
Luke: "I am supposed to be a guy."
Michelle: "There's no supposed to be anything. You just are."