Soldier's Girl
Soldier's Girl is a 2003 biographical drama television film written by Ron Nyswaner and directed by Frank Pierson. It is based on the true story of the relationship between Calpernia Addams and Barry Winchell and the events that led up to Winchell's murder by fellow soldiers Justin Fisher and Calvin Glover on the 4th of July 1999.
The film stars Troy Garity as Winchell and Lee Pace as Addams. The film premiered on Showtime on May 31, 2003.
Soldier's Girl was listed among the ten best Television Programs of the Year by the American Film Institute.
Plot
Barry is a private with the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army, stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, while Calpernia works as a showgirl at a transgender revue in Nashville, Tennessee. Barry's roommate Justin Fisher brings Barry to the club where Calpernia performs. When Barry and Calpernia start dating, Fisher, out of jealousy, participates in spreading rumors about Barry's alleged affair, which appeared to be a violation of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy that forbids discussion of sexual orientation of military personnel. Barry faces increasing harassment and pressure, which explodes into violence over a Fourth of July weekend after Barry easily beats Calvin Glover in a fight. While Calpernia performs in a pageant in Nashville, Barry is beaten to death in his sleep by Glover with a baseball bat given to him by Fisher. The film ends with a discussion of the aftermath.Production
Soldier's Girl was filmed in Toronto and Barrie in Ontario, Canada.Reception
Critical response
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 88% based on reviews from 8 critics.John Leonard of New York magazine wrote: "All three principal performances are superb."
Carin Gorrell in Psychology Today calls Soldier's Girl a "gut-wrenching and provacative work" adding that Troy Garity's "performance is so strong that it's nearly impossible to react without sympathy"
In Variety David Rooney wrote: "Both Garity and newcomer Pace give complex, controlled performances, full-bodied and richly empathetic, making the union between this unlikely couple seem entirely plausible and natural".