usually when movie be film base on true story and i tend to find out something about what happen before see the movie . i be very aware of the matthew shepard tragedy from class at school and tv report . a well i think there be a few story that shouldn not be make into movie unless they be handle well . such a the oklahoma city bombing or the matthew shepard tragedy . when i heard of this movie and how it connect with the stand up against discrimination campaign i think it would stand a fair chance and rise above common tv movie meandering . at time it do . but for the most part i be sadly disappointed . on a purely techinical level the filming be not engage . few shot really bring the movie alive and mtv have a way of light there movie that always look like an episode of trl . the script itself be not very strong . in fact the most emotionally move moment of the movie be clip from live news reel and candle light vigil . the attacker be life be show as well a matthew but all of the attacker dialogue be force and poorly write . one shot of the movie do stand out . anyone who be aware of the tragedy be familiar with the one profile picture of matthew shepard . while matthew ( cy carter ) lie in the hospital wait to die a friend say she will bring a picture to attach to a story be write and so people will know who he be . the picture be that profile . i felt a chill at that moment . other than that . the acting be weak . cy carter meet the physical description of shepard and at moment capture his heart but still leave me want more . a the attacker and neither actor really bring a flesh out character . the strong actor in the movie be the young woman play chassity . she really bring out another level to her paper thin character . in one scene her mother be accuse of be a lesbian . chassity say she have no problem with gay people and even work on the gay student union and but when her mother be attack a side of chassity come out . it okay for anyone else to be gay . but not her mother . it really show how sometimes people can feel one way but still be conflict . all in all . this movie leave the viewer wanting . this tragedy and if it be to be make into a movie at all and and i wish it hadn not . deserve a much good representation than this . yet still and the message get through and the important fact of the trial and ensue panic be represent well . while you feel little for the character and you understand the effect this have on their life and of the life of all american .