I Want What I Want

I Want What I Want is a 1972 British drama film directed by John Dexter and starring Anne Heywood, Harry Andrews and Jill Bennett.^[1][2][3] It is based on the 1966 novel I Want What I Want by Geoff Brown.^[4] It’s a complex and controversial film, considered one of the first attempts by mainstream cinema to depict a transgender character.

Plot

The story centers on Roy (played by Anne Heywood), a young man who feels trapped in a man’s body and longs to be a woman. Roy leads a double life: working as a mechanic by day and indulging in his feminine desires at night. He dreams of undergoing gender confirmation surgery, a procedure rarely performed at the time.

Cast

Anne Heywood as Roy / Wendy
Harry Andrews as Roy’s Father
Jill Bennett as Margaret Stevenson
Paul Rogers as Mr. Waites
Michael Coles as Frank
Sheila Reid as June
Virginia Stride as Shirley
Jill Melford as Lorna
Philip Bond as Philip
Rachel Gurney as Mrs. Parkhurst
Robin Hawdon as Tony
Anthony Sharp as Mr. Parkhurst

Controversy and Critical Reception

The film sparked controversy for its portrayal of Roy. While Roy expresses a desire to be a woman, the film doesn’t delve into the complexities of gender identity. Heywood, a cisgender woman, portrays Roy, which was typical casting for the time but doesn’t reflect the lived experiences of transgender people. Additionally, the film includes a scene of implied genital mutilation, which is disturbing and medically inaccurate.

Reviews for “I Want What I Want” were mixed. Some praised the film for tackling a then-unfamiliar topic, while others criticized its sensationalistic elements and insensitive portrayal of Roy’s struggles.

Images

Legacy

Despite its shortcomings, “I Want What I Want” holds historical significance as an early exploration of transgender themes in film. It paved the way for more nuanced portrayals in future films, even though it perpetuates some negative stereotypes.

Additional Points

The film is based on the novel “I Want What I Want” by Geoff Brown.
The film’s original title, “I Want What I Want… To Be a Woman,” is more explicit about Roy’s desires.
The film offers a glimpse into societal attitudes towards transgender people in the early 1970s.
Overall: “I Want What I Want” is a flawed but significant film. While its portrayal of trans identity is insensitive by today’s standards, it serves as a reminder of the evolution of transgender representation in cinema.