I watched this at home as a Netflix streaming movie.
The story here involves a heated topic in many circles, the idea that a person may be born into a gender that is not appropriate for who they really are. Many on the "conservative" side, especially of they are also fundamental religious, firmly believe that if you are born a girl that is what you are supposed to be, learn to live with it, wanting to transition to a boy should never be an option.
Many on the "liberal" side firmly believe that a person needs to be true to themselves and if that means switching genders then they are supportive. In addition there are whole bunches of people who don't care either way.
This movie was written and directed by women, one of them is a formerly married mother of three. The core story involves a 16-yr-old girl who has felt for most of her life that she was really a boy born with female parts. She pilots her skateboard, she dresses like a boy, she cuts her hair short. And now as the story confronts us she is requesting her mom's permission to enter a program to "transition" to a boy. She wants to get a fresh start at a new school and as a boy.
A wrinkle is that her dad, whom she has no contact for the last 10 years or so, has to sign the form also.
Elle Fanning who otherwise is good at glamour type female roles is really good here as Ray, I found myself really believing this girl could want to be a boy. Her grandmom is played well by Susan Sarandon as Dolly, who supports her daughter, loves her and wants her to be happy, but just doesn't know how to react to her daughter's request. And there is Naomi Watts, good as the mom, Maggie, also mostly puzzled about how to react. In an interesting additional role Linda Emond is Frances, the lesbian partner of Dolly.
I think there is no doubt about the leanings of those who made this movie, but regardless of a particular viewer's own leanings the movie can be appreciated for the story it tells, there is no running away and sticking heads in the sand, the transgender issue is here and it will stay and this movie gives an excellent view of the landscape.
I enjoyed watching it, good movie.
The story here involves a heated topic in many circles, the idea that a person may be born into a gender that is not appropriate for who they really are. Many on the "conservative" side, especially of they are also fundamental religious, firmly believe that if you are born a girl that is what you are supposed to be, learn to live with it, wanting to transition to a boy should never be an option.
Many on the "liberal" side firmly believe that a person needs to be true to themselves and if that means switching genders then they are supportive. In addition there are whole bunches of people who don't care either way.
This movie was written and directed by women, one of them is a formerly married mother of three. The core story involves a 16-yr-old girl who has felt for most of her life that she was really a boy born with female parts. She pilots her skateboard, she dresses like a boy, she cuts her hair short. And now as the story confronts us she is requesting her mom's permission to enter a program to "transition" to a boy. She wants to get a fresh start at a new school and as a boy.
A wrinkle is that her dad, whom she has no contact for the last 10 years or so, has to sign the form also.
Elle Fanning who otherwise is good at glamour type female roles is really good here as Ray, I found myself really believing this girl could want to be a boy. Her grandmom is played well by Susan Sarandon as Dolly, who supports her daughter, loves her and wants her to be happy, but just doesn't know how to react to her daughter's request. And there is Naomi Watts, good as the mom, Maggie, also mostly puzzled about how to react. In an interesting additional role Linda Emond is Frances, the lesbian partner of Dolly.
I think there is no doubt about the leanings of those who made this movie, but regardless of a particular viewer's own leanings the movie can be appreciated for the story it tells, there is no running away and sticking heads in the sand, the transgender issue is here and it will stay and this movie gives an excellent view of the landscape.
I enjoyed watching it, good movie.