Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Elle Fanning seems to be popping up everywhere these days; whether serving up some seriously fashionable #looks in The Neon Demon, falling for Colin Farrell in The Beguiled, or being a bossy best friend in 20th Century Women, she’s demonstrated that she can fill the shoes of just about any role. Last year, she starred in 3 Generations, a little-seen, harshly-reviewed flick that features Fanning as a transgendered teenager named Ray. While the film certainly lacks in many departments, it does do something rarely seen – it’s well-intentioned and incredibly sensitive when it comes to the depiction of just how hard it is for a teenager to transition. 3 Generations also boasts an all-star cast, including Naomi Watts and Susan Sarandon, and it’s now streaming on Netflix.
Our central character is Ray, born Ramona, a 16-year-old beginning his transition from female to male held back by one technicality – the paperwork to begin hormone therapy requires a signature from Ray’s estranged father (Tate Donovan). Watts is Maggie, Ray’s mother, and Sarandon is Dolly, her mother. The three generations live under the roof of one endearing, cozy brownstone, along with Dolly’s partner, Frances (Linda Emond). Artsy, liberal, confused New Yorker Dolly struggles with Ray’s transition by simply wondering why Ray can’t just be a lesbian, while Maggie does all the right things – and does her best to be there for Ray in every way she can.
The film’s title is slightly misleading; while we may be witnessing these three generations interact, the majority of 3 Generations rests solely on the shoulders of Fanning – and that is where it thrives. Fanning proves herself once again as a force to be reckoned with; as Ray, she’s layered, truthful, and compelling. There’s never a moment from her that feels dishonest. Moments that put the script’s weakness on display, that try to milk too much out of a scene or ply the audience with sappy dialogue, often interfere with the performances at hand, but not enough to ruin the entire film. Watts struggles with an underdeveloped character, but does her very best to successfully deliver every sequence, no matter how arms-length and predictable these moments may be. While Fanning does the heavy lifting, Sarandon and Emond’s chemistry and total electric presences combine to really help elevate the film from its most tired moments.
Even with all the unimaginative fluff, there are still a handful of touching moments bound to elicit a tear or two, and remind you just how moving this kind of storytelling can be. Might 3 Generations have benefited from the casting of a transgender actor in Fanning’s role, a tighter script, or better marketing? Definitely. But the importance of this representation – of a transgender teenager supported by his mother and grandmothers during the immensely difficult, tumultuous journey of transitioning – is something that makes this film worth a watch.
