3 Generations (2015)

After Ray decides to transition from female to male, Ray's mother, Maggie, must come to terms with the decision while tracking down Ray's biological father to get his legal consent.

Director:

Gaby Dellal

Writers:

Nikole Beckwith, Gaby Dellal

Stars:

Naomi Watts, Elle Fanning, Susan Sarandon

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Elle Fanning	...	Ray
Linda Emond	...	Frances
Susan Sarandon	...	Dolly
Naomi Watts	...	Maggie
Andrew Polk	...	Dr. Brillstein
Marcos A. Gonzalez	...	John the Doorman
Antonio Ortiz	...	Taylor
Tessa Albertson	...	Spoon
Marquis Rodriguez	...	Jesse
Gameela Wright	...	DSS Worker
Jordan Carlos	...	Jake
Elle Winter	...	Lola Johnson
Lucca De Oliveira	...	Boy in Alley
Francesca Keller	...	Girl in Alley
Jinn S. Kim	...	Man on Fire Escape

Storyline

Family living under one roof in New York must deal with a life-changing transformation by one that ultimately affects them all. Ray is a teenager who has come to the realization that he isn't meant to be a girl and has decided to transition from female to male. His single mother, Maggie, must track down Ray's biological father to get his legal consent to allow Ray's transition. Dolly, Ray's lesbian grandmother, is having a hard time accepting that she now has a grandson. They must each confront their own identities and learn to embrace change and their strength as a family in order to ultimately find acceptance and understanding.

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Plot Keywords:

female to male transition | gender transition | transgender | lesbian grandmother | single mother | 

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Taglines:

A family in transition

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic content, some sexual references and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Elle Fanning used a wig for her role.

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Quotes

Dolly: Having sex with women doesn't mean you're open-minded, it just means you're happy.

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Connections

Featured in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Liev Schreiber/Elle Fanning/Anthony Sadler/Vince Staples (2015)

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Soundtracks

Needles in the Camel's Eye
Written by Brian Eno and Phil Manzanera
Performed by Greys
Courtesy of Audiotree and Carpark Records

User Reviews

Misses the Mark

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.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

29 September 2016 (Czech Republic)

Also Known As:

About Ray

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$105,215, 7 May 2017

Gross USA:

$155,936

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$680,351

Company Credits

Production Co:

Big Beach Films, InFilm Productions, IM Global

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min 87 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1