About Ray

A twisted complicated situation with moments of pure comedy. Elle Fanning is good!

This movie tackles a difficult subject very appropriate for today, with drama but also mild humor. The network of family this teen is growing in, is a diverse cross section of modern families. And though they are living a more progressive lifestyle, this goes to show how difficult this transition period can be for any family. With ties to a child's birth gender and realizing the changes that come with a decision to honor one's own feelings of who they are, families struggle no matter how open minded they may think they are. Or how imperfect they see themselves. This was done with amazing sensitivity to the fact that families are comprised in many different ways, showing the emotions that come when people choose to love, take risks and work towards supporting one another. This may become a cult film as the world catches up with this very real struggle, and the love that overcomes the fear.

Ray (Elle Fanning) wants to transition to being a boy. He's 16 and needs parental consent. His mother Maggie (Naomi Watts) has to track down his biological father. They live in NYC with Maggie's gay mother Dolly (Susan Sarandon) and her girlfriend Frances. Dolly would rather Ray be a lesbian.

This is tackling an advanced edgy issue. It needs some better writing. The actors are top notch. The story needs to move but it's stuck in molasses. The dream girl probably needs more screen time and played by someone more charismatic. Quite frankly, she needs to be played by somebody like Elle. Ray's flailing attempts at romance is the most compelling story opportunity. There could be love triangles and unrequited love. The bio dad is not that compelling. Despite any weakness in writing, the actors carry the heavy load well especially Elle.

I was baffled that neither the metascore nor the user rating was very high. So I read the reviews from both critics and users. And basically the criticism is that it doesn't focus more on Ray showing more of her struggle or her transformation even saying it lacks the focus on that.

So basically the movie get's blamed for not being what was expected. Well even if it isn't the first time this happened you can't do that. The movie is called "3 Generations" even showing the the three main characters not just one. A filmmaker can choose whatever he wants the focus to be and so she decided to show rays pain but also how the decision affects her mother her father and her grandmother as well.

So here are the facts. This is real good story with Sarandon, Watts and Fanning being at their best. How Fanning doesn't get awards nominations for this is beyond me. Since this already is a heavy emotionally loaded topping with a lot of pain, sorrow director Gaby Dellal as well as writer Nikole Beckwith wrote this very good and funny dialog. A banter between the three main characters that will put a smile on your face on many occasions. Great script, great actors and well directed make this a very touching and moving film.

About Ray is a fresh take on a family drama that most people can relate to in some way.

All families have their problems, and this family is no exception. They show a glimpse of what it is like to have to live in a body that you don't identify with and the complications that go with it.

It is a feel good movie that shows that family can overcome anything together, no matter how dysfunctional.

All of the lead actresses are amazing, and the set is really one of a kind.

Check it out.