3 Generations is a movie about a former girl named Ramona transitioning to a boy named Ray. It shows the struggles that happen within a family when someone is transitioning, and it does a particularly good job of showing the thoughts and processes of every single person involved. Elle Fanning was the actor for the role of Ray, and it was very interesting to see her in this role, since she has never done a role like this before. The role of Ray's grandma was played by Susan Sarandon, who is one of my favorite actresses. This film is very much a drama, because it focuses on a very tough subject that is not touched on a lot, but Sarandon's role brings a lot of comedy to the film. The setting for this movie is in New York, and it makes the city look a lot prettier than it actually is. I loved it.
This movie is definitely one of those Netflix hidden gems. It could also be called Liberals: The Film, so if you're not into the LGBT movement or the NYC-living-in-a-very-expensive-loft-and-very-left-winged theme, then I wouldn't recommend this movie. I, however, really liked this movie because I think it did a good job of shedding light on what it is like for an entire family when a member is trans. The person undergoing this transition is obviously going through a lot as they realize who they are meant to be, feeling like they are a stranger to themselves, and also worrying about how everyone else perceives them. A lot of people also fail to see how the process is for the rest of the family as well. This is showcased well in the character of Ray's mom, played by Naomi Watts. Throughout the film, she experiences a rollercoaster of emotions. It is obvious that she loves her son more than anything in the world, and would do anything to make him happy. She is okay with her son's transition, but it is still a hard time for her and wants to take it at a slow pace. She is trying her hardest, but the situation hardens for her when her mother and her mother's wife are slow to accept the transition.Your heart almost breaks for her as you watch her struggle with this monumental change that her child is going through. *SPOILERS* The ending to this movie is a beautiful one, because it isn't picture perfect. During the film, Ray's world collapses again when he finds out that who he thought was his dad isn't really his dad, and makes him feel even more resentment towards his mom for keeping this secret from him. To fully undergo his transition, Ray needs signatures from both his mother and his father. He feels completely defeated when he takes one step forward only to take two backwards when he finds out that his real father isn't even the man who he thought was for years. The movie ends with the real biological father signing off on the papers after months and months of waiting on Ray's part. Ray decides that he wants to know his biological dad and the man who he thought was his dad, since he has been estranged from them both for years. The ending scene is a heart warming dinner party where Ray's family, who are all kinds of kinds, gather together to finally get to know one another. Overall, this movie was really enjoyable. It has light drama mixed with comedy with a very cute ending. It makes you feel fuzzy after watching it. I also really appreciated this movie because it taught me more about trans peoples' lives, and how the process can be for the whole family. It was a subject that I was not very informed on, and I am glad that I can be more open and empathetic to these peoples' lives now.
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AuthorCasey Land Archives
January 2018
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