No Ordinary Man *** (documentary, 2020) – Movie Review

The beautiful, complex and thoughtful 2020 Canadian documentary No Ordinary Man takes an in-depth look at the life of American jazz musician, bandleader and now trans culture icon Billy Tipton (December 29, 1914 – January 21, 1989), who was born a woman but lived a life as a man.

But he was No Ordinary Man. The remarkable Billy Tipton assumed a male gender identity in the male-dominated music environment for decades and Tipton’s female birth sex was not publicly revealed until after Tipton’s death, a surprise to family and friends.

The compelling story remains relevant, but contemporary relevance is added with a heart-on-sleeve series of fascinating, poignant and revealing interviews with trans people, who are auditioning before the camera for the role of Billy Tipton. HIs son, Billy Tipton Jr, speaks bravely and movingly, and the trans cast all turn up at his house in an emotional climax.

Complicated issues are raised and examined, but the film is mostly kind, warm, reflective and restorative. What is restores, at least a little, is faith in people, the goodness of some people.

It is written by Aisling Chin-Yee and Amos Mac and directed by Aisling Chin-Yee and Chase Joynt. They bring out the best in their story.

It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on 10 September 2020 and was screened at BFI Flare London LGBTQ+ Film Festival on 17 March 2021.

Tipton played piano and saxophone in dance bands in the 1940s and recorded two trio albums for a small record label in the mid-1950s.

In 1989, at the age of 74, Tipton was suffering from a haemorrhaging peptic ulcer and refused to call a doctor. While paramedics were trying in vain to save Tipton’s life, Billy Tipton Jr learned his father was physically female. The news got out, and a media circus followed, and, extraordinarily, Tipton’s family even made talk show appearances, including the Oprah show. This thought-provoking footage is included in the documentary, along with endless, painstakingly researched photographic material, all the remaining record of Tipton’s life. It is a fine tribute.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Movie Review

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