About Ray

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

This film's generational awareness is a welcome change from the mainstream media's usual treatment of LGBTQ issues as different than other, traditional sexual concerns.

It's a fascinating story about a fragile girl whose only desire is to be a boy and the ramifications this decision has on her family. Ella Fanning displays great teenage angst - throwing tantrums, manipulation, sarcasm, selfishness, it's all there.

Naomi Watts is the stand out, struggling to support her daughter's situation while juggling her own interesting relationships with her ex partners and mothers. Everyone performed their parts well, Susan Sarandon has a minimal presence throughout the film yet is memorable.

I'd have liked to have seen Ray/Ramona's mental instability addressed in the film as you never really understand why she wants to be a boy other than she's merely wanted it so since she was a little girl. Maybe that's all there is to it?

Ray (Elle Fanning) is a 16-year-old who was born as Ramona but has felt for years that he's a male inside a female body. As he tries to begin the medical transgender process, it will open up much family angst and discord. Additionally, because of his age, Ray will require the parental consent of his absentee father which will lead to more emotional upheaval and the uncovering of some hidden family secrets.

Although the film's heart may be in the right place, I thought the dialogue often came across as contrived, strident, and melodramatic, which made it a difficult watch for me. The movie does have a poignant and uplifting ending though.

All in all, although I felt for Ray, who seemed the only one who was not conflicted about what he wanted to do, the movie itself did not seem like the best of vehicles to bring transgender issues to the forefront.

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.