Educational Media Reviews Online

Creature examines a sub-culture through the journey of a North Carolina runaway named Kyle who finds his version of L. A. fame as a woman named Stacey Hollywood. This documentary takes the viewer into the complex and much misunderstood world of transvestism and transsexualism. Kyle Dean is the subject of this documentary titled Creature as this was the name given to him in high school when he made it known that he “was a boy who wanted be a girl”.

There is no moralizing or manipulation throughout this documentary. Kyle aka Stacey, his parents, and friends speak openly about Kyle’s impending transformation. Parris Patton and his film crew went on a five-year odyssey to create this documentary with no comments or voice over narrations to tell the viewer what to think and purposely avoid the politics this subject often times generates among many people.

This documentary is a candid picture of a young man who feels trapped in his current position. It illustrates a family struggling to come to terms with their son’s decision, their disapproval of Kyle’s (Stacey’s) lifestyle, and yet, their overwhelming love for “their son.” What Patton does point out is that Stacey is not a freak, nor is she perfectly normal as the viewer sees the change over a five year period.

Creature is an emotional landmine for anyone not familiar with this subject matter. It will undoubtedly raise controversial issues as well. The one thing that captured my attention was its honesty. Despite the fact that these deeply religious parents completely disagree with “their son’s” lifestyle, the love of “their son” is still there and quite obvious throughout the dialogue. I invite viewers to watch this film carefully and objectively.