Despite its careful planning and execution, it is this sequence which has unfortunately marred a great deal of the film's reputation. Almost every review of the film references the scene as having gratuitous shots of the teenager's breasts and the atmosphere being permeated with a distinctly lesbian quality. What these reviewers, to an author, did not mention was that this isn't a scene about sex, or love, or relationships, but about female empowerment.

In the single shot where Legs is leaning over the flame preparing to tattoo Maddy, it is extremely apparent that she is not being framed by the camera as a sexual object, but as a woman who is comfortable with her gender. There are indeed some homoerotic stirrings which can be seen in Maddy's expression, but they are far more suggestive of typical teenagers feeling their way through the obstacle course of becoming a woman.

This emotional turmoil strikes directly at the growing feelings Maddy has for Legs. Maddy, despite having an understanding and supportive boyfriend (Peter Facinelli), finds herself attracted to this self-sufficient outsider. As she makes the transition from girl to woman, Maddy is unable to clearly label and understand her feelings. Burress's performance as an extremely confused and indecisive young woman is compelling. She is unable to decide, up until the final moment, what her heart is telling her.

You just do what feels right in your heart. - Legs

As an emotional counterpoint, Jolie's portrayal of stoic empowerment is entirely convincing. It is never revealed throughout the film what motivates the enigmatic Legs to be as hard and determined as she is. Just as in reality we never truly know someone else's motivations, the audience never knows the formative events in Legs' life. This dark history is again entirely in keeping with the typical depiction of the stranger as portrayed in the Western. What is important to the story is not how she became who she is, but how she will affect those with whom she interacts. It is the relationship between Maddy and Legs which is of penultimate importance to the plot of the film, while the ultimate theme is simply what it means to become a woman.