Overview
To view this page in your preferred language, please use the language drop-down in the lower left of the screen. This article features descriptive audio for the movie, along with the movie audio and an audio transcript.
Length: 87 minutes.
Released: 27th October 2016
IMDB Rating: 6.4 out of 10 from 433 users.
MPAA Rating: NR – Not rated.
Language: English.
Director: Gaby Dellal.
Creators: Gaby Dellal, Nikole Beckwith.
Actors: Elle Fanning, Susan Sarandon, Naomi Watts, Tate Donovan, Maria Dizzia.
TagLine: A Family In Transition.
3 Generations (2015) Trailer
3 Generations (2015) Trailer
Hey, I'm actually pretty excited because I gained
five pounds.
I mean, I'm still pretty skinny, but at
least it's a start, so...
There may be mood swings, and you will
see a drop in your menstrual cycle.
Thank God.
Periods have never been easy on young men.
This is the parental consent form, which needs
to be signed.
Why can't she just be a lesbian?
Because she's not a lesbian, Mom.
She's a boy.
Do you remember we were going to name
him Cole if he was a boy?
And now she is a boy, and her
name is Ray, like a truck driver or
something?
Yo, Ray, let me talk to you for
a second.
Faggot!
Oh, my God!
Here, sit down.
Heard you got into a fight.
I'm not starting a new school in this
body.
I'm just not.
Maybe they'd make an exception.
I'm done with being an exception.
What if he turns around one day and
says, Mom, I made a mistake?
Prolonging this doesn't keep me a girl any
longer.
It just keeps me from being who I
already am.
Something's gotta change.
A boy?
Yes, a boy.
I can't sign this.
This is just a formality because you were
named on the birth certificate.
There are risks.
She may not be able to get pregnant.
There is no Ramona anymore.
It's just Ray.
There's been a problem with the papers.
Your father has to sign them.
But he won't.
Why does he care?
He hasn't seen me since I was a
baby.
So leave your family and start a new
one?
I didn't leave my family.
I feel pretty left.
So you're like our brother?
Yeah.
Sort of.
Why sort of?
Because I was born in a girl's body.
I'm a girl in a girl's body.
I think.
I went through losing my daughter all by
myself, and I will be raising my son
exactly the same.
I don't know why you slapped me.
Ray is the only good decision I've ever
made.
I've still felt lesbian.
five pounds.
I mean, I'm still pretty skinny, but at
least it's a start, so...
There may be mood swings, and you will
see a drop in your menstrual cycle.
Thank God.
Periods have never been easy on young men.
This is the parental consent form, which needs
to be signed.
Why can't she just be a lesbian?
Because she's not a lesbian, Mom.
She's a boy.
Do you remember we were going to name
him Cole if he was a boy?
And now she is a boy, and her
name is Ray, like a truck driver or
something?
Yo, Ray, let me talk to you for
a second.
Faggot!
Oh, my God!
Here, sit down.
Heard you got into a fight.
I'm not starting a new school in this
body.
I'm just not.
Maybe they'd make an exception.
I'm done with being an exception.
What if he turns around one day and
says, Mom, I made a mistake?
Prolonging this doesn't keep me a girl any
longer.
It just keeps me from being who I
already am.
Something's gotta change.
A boy?
Yes, a boy.
I can't sign this.
This is just a formality because you were
named on the birth certificate.
There are risks.
She may not be able to get pregnant.
There is no Ramona anymore.
It's just Ray.
There's been a problem with the papers.
Your father has to sign them.
But he won't.
Why does he care?
He hasn't seen me since I was a
baby.
So leave your family and start a new
one?
I didn't leave my family.
I feel pretty left.
So you're like our brother?
Yeah.
Sort of.
Why sort of?
Because I was born in a girl's body.
I'm a girl in a girl's body.
I think.
I went through losing my daughter all by
myself, and I will be raising my son
exactly the same.
I don't know why you slapped me.
Ray is the only good decision I've ever
made.
I've still felt lesbian.
3 Generations (2015) Review
When I watched 3 Generations (2015), I hoped for something personal, maybe even powerful. The story had all the right pieces: a teenager coming to terms with his gender identity, a single mother struggling to do the right thing, and a strong-willed grandmother who adds humor and conflict. The film wants to explore how families handle change, how they love each other even when they don’t understand one another. But somehow, it never quite comes together the way it should.
Plot and Themes
The film follows Ray, a transgender teen living in New York, who is ready to start hormone therapy and begin his transition. But because he’s underage, he needs consent from both parents. That simple legal detail sets off a chain of emotional conflicts within the family.
At its heart, 3 Generations is about identity—Ray’s, but also his family’s. It’s about how people adapt to change and how love sometimes shows up in strange, imperfect ways. These are important ideas. But the film tries to handle too many things at once and doesn’t give each of them enough time to grow.
Tone and Feeling
The tone is gentle, maybe too gentle. Even in moments where emotions run high, the film stays quiet, almost cautious. I found myself wishing it would take more risks, dig deeper, and let the characters feel messier. There are glimpses of pain and tenderness, but they pass quickly.
I didn’t feel deeply moved, and that surprised me. This kind of story should have left more of a mark.
Acting and Characters
Elle Fanning plays Ray with care. She doesn’t try to explain the character too much. Instead, she shows us a teenager who’s sure of himself but still dealing with a world that doesn’t always make sense. It’s a strong performance, even though the script doesn’t give her enough room to stretch.
Naomi Watts plays Maggie, Ray’s mother, and she carries most of the film’s weight. Her confusion and protectiveness feel real. I believed her. She reminded me a bit of her role in The Impossible, where she also played a mother pushed to her limit.
Susan Sarandon plays Dolly, Ray’s grandmother. She’s sharp and funny, but sometimes the writing turns her into a stereotype. It’s a shame, because Sarandon knows how to bring depth to difficult women. Here, she’s mostly just there to stir things up.
Direction and Cinematography
Gaby Dellal’s direction is straightforward. She doesn’t draw attention to herself, which can be a good thing. But in this case, the film could have used a stronger point of view. It often feels like it’s playing it safe.
Visually, the film is soft and homey. Lots of warm indoor shots, quiet streets, and family spaces. It fits the story, but it doesn’t stand out. Nothing in the cinematography really caught my eye.
Score and Sound
The music is light and supportive. It does its job without getting in the way. But it also doesn’t add much. I can’t remember a single moment where the score surprised me or helped shape a scene in a new way.
Production Design and Editing
The production design feels lived-in. The family’s house looks like real people live there, which helps ground the film. The editing is clean, but sometimes it jumps ahead too quickly. Important moments don’t always get the time they deserve.
Dialogue and Pacing
The dialogue is uneven. Some scenes feel natural, especially between Ray and Maggie. But others sound like the characters are reading from a pamphlet. At times, the film seems more interested in making sure the audience understands gender identity than letting the characters talk like real people.
The pace is slow, but not in a good way. It lingers where it doesn’t need to and rushes past moments that matter.
Final Thoughts
I wanted to love 3 Generations. It’s about something meaningful. It has a good cast. But it left me feeling a little distant. It touches the surface of deep waters, but never dives in.
Would I recommend it?Maybe. If you’re curious about films that touch on gender identity and family dynamics, it’s worth watching once. But it’s not as moving or as thoughtful as it could be.
My rating: 6 out of 10
It cares about its subject, and that shows. But it needed more heart, more courage, and more time to breathe.
Audio for 3 Generations (2015)
Audio and Transcript
Includes English subtitles and an English transcript. To change the subtitle and transcript language, please use the language drop-down menu at the bottom left of the page.
3 Generations (2015) Audio
Every year I blow out my candles and
I make the same wish.
I wish I was a boy.
I was raised in New York by my
mom.
My mom's mom.
And my mom's mom's girlfriend.
My friends thought it was so cool.
But all I ever wanted was normal.
It's been
a long time and here we are.
There is absolutely nothing to worry about.
So, there will be weight gain.
Fat is fluid and it'll move from the
hip area to the front of the belly.
Facial hair and hair growth on your chest
and your arms, that'll happen pretty fast.
Your breasts will not go away.
That requires surgery.
And the great news is you will see
a drop in your menstrual cycle.
Thank God.
Periods have never been easy on young men.
It's been hard on her.
Him.
Us.
It's been really hard on us.
Of course, the T, it's the testosterone element
to the hormone therapy.
That'll put a stop to them, pretty much.
And since Ray is 16, here is the
parental consent form which will need to be
signed.
What about trying something alternative?
What, like acupuncture?
We'll see you at home, Mom.
What did I say?
Hey, John.
Hey, Ramona.
How are you?
Ray, remember?
Where are you going?
I'm supposed to be at Taylor's.
Be back in an hour and 50 minutes?
Please?
Hot flashes will get you every time.
I am so glad I'm over those.
I'm not having a hot flash, Mom.
I'm having an anxiety attack.
I thought you quit.
I have.
Oh, good.
Here, will you hold this a minute?
What is this?
It's a dead mouse.
Found it in the hallway.
Oh, my God.
Trying to find something to bury in it.
It seems so harsh to just, you know,
throw it into the trash.
Ah, this will do.
Don't you have tea in your own house?
This is all my house.
It's good.
I like it.
I just wanted...
I wasn't saying that you can't cook.
I'm just saying...
You pack it with salt.
What are you talking about?
You should concern yourself with whether it's organic
or not.
It's packed with salt.
Don't start, Mom.
Did you think I was undermining her?
Franny doesn't think I was undermining her.
Go for it, babe.
I don't like vegetables anymore.
I feel like I have to eat them.
You do have to eat them.
You know, she got tired of vegetables, too.
Yoda, when you meet as George Russell, did
Bill Evans play here, too?
They all played here except for Monk because
he was allergic to our dogs.
I miss Mr. Pepper.
I do, too.
I love that dog.
I couldn't stand that dog.
You two are so alike.
You should have been her mother.
What does it say that you married your
daughter?
The expression is that you marry your father,
not your...
Okay, in this case, I guess I married
my mother.
Except you didn't marry me.
Because we're old school and we didn't feel
the need.
But you know what else they say?
They say you turn into your mother.
Have another drink, Mom.
Well, thank you.
Can you take your plate, please?
Ray, can you ask to be excused?
Can I be excused?
What?
You should take his plate.
Ray, come get your plate.
I got this.
Why can't she just be a lesbian?
Because she's not a lesbian, Mom.
She's a boy.
But she's a person who likes girls.
That could be a boy or a lesbian.
And she's still getting her period, so I
vote lesbian.
He's still getting his period.
Now, come on.
All right, I'm staying out of this.
But I just don't understand why we're in
such a hurry.
Franny agrees with me on this.
No, but I am staying out of it.
All right, I'm sorry.
It just feels like mutilation to me.
I thought you said you were going to
stay out of it.
Franny has been fighting against female genital mutilation.
You'll back me up on this, won't you?
This is not helpful.
You can't take things out of context.
He needs to be at least six months
into the hormones before he changes schools.
Okay?
Why does he want to change schools?
Because he wants a conventional experience.
Then just be a normal lesbian.
I can hear you.
Good.
Join the conversation.
I just want to be normal.
In a regular school.
I just want to try it.
So you want to try being gay?
Fucker.
Well, why is normal the goal all of
a sudden?
What about being authentic?
Authentic is what he wants to be.
Okay.
Bye.
Okay.
Thanks.
Did you sign the papers?
You mean since we got home this afternoon?
No.
Because that's the whole point of me switching
schools and stuff.
I know, but it's only February, honey.
It takes three months to kick in.
We agreed to take it slow, right?
I'm proud of you.
And?
I'm proud of you, too.
That's so gay.
Don't use that word.
I'm reappropriating it.
You can't reappropriate a word that doesn't apply
to you.
I'm a boy with tits.
I can reappropriate whatever I want.
I can't make it to basketball tryouts tonight.
Have you got a date?
No, I don't.
Are you going to try out?
I'm too small.
No, you're not.
I'm too small.
That's what they say at least.
I can't wait to leave this school.
I'll miss you.
We live in the same city.
We'll always be tight.
Can you tell Ms. Inslee I'm going to
be late for math?
Next.
Excuse me.
Excuse me.
Sorry.
Sorry.
Excuse me.
Just a second.
I've been here a really long time, and
you have to wait your turn.
Well, I'm not filing a complaint or anything.
I just wanted to get in touch personally
with the man who used to pay child
support for my kid.
Call this number, and the appropriate department can
assist you.
Oh, but I came all the way down
here, so...
You have to call the number, ma'am.
Okay, so what department is that exactly?
The complaint department.
But I don't have a complaint.
You're complaining a lot for someone without a
complaint.
Okay, um...
I just need the information for Craig Walker.
That's all I need.
Maggie.
Hey.
How are you?
Oh, hey.
Hey, Jake.
Um, now's not a good time.
I...
You look great.
Likewise.
Oh, hey.
Sorry.
Okay.
Um...
Uh, yeah.
See ya.
You got a little schmutz?
Where were you?
You were supposed to meet me at group.
I can't relate to anyone there.
They're all freaks.
I can't do this on my own.
What?
You got some shit all over your face.
Yeah, okay.
So what about in the circumstances in which
there's only one active parent involved?
So you're saying I need to...
Mom?
Yeah, just a second, honey.
I'll be right there.
So would you need proof if he's dead?
Can we just have one?
Mom, who's dead?
Because, you know, who knows?
He maybe is...
dead.
His name is Cliff Walker.
I tried.
I went to the DSS.
I have an old address and number I
have.
We haven't spoken in years.
And, uh, you know, he's just not a
part of our lives, or this decision.
I really don't understand why people have secret
conversations in the bathroom.
It's the most equity room in the house.
You know what?
I'm gonna get back to you.
You've been so helpful.
Thank you very much.
Are you waiting for the bathroom?
Who are you talking to?
Who's dead?
Nobody.
But a girl can dream.
You up there?
Liza, you up there?
Can you knock occasionally?
Hiding under my roof is not gonna solve
anything.
You still live with your mother?
Please, Mom.
I have a deadline.
Something's gotta change.
Things are changing.
A lot of shit is changing.
Did you sign the forms?
No.
Have any second thoughts?
No.
Yes.
I don't know.
She's 16.
And I don't know anything about boys and
it's not like I had any role models.
You had me.
Whatever happened...
I don't want a boyfriend.
Wow, you're too old to use that word
anyway.
You know what, Max?
It's time.
Live a little.
What's it like having a penis?
What?
Is it great or...
blah, not great.
It's great.
Yeah, it's great.
You don't wish it was more organised or
contained?
I don't mean do you wish you had
a vagina.
I just mean the penis itself.
Do you wish it was more neat?
Or...
in there?
In there?
Yeah, like put away.
Nope.
Oh, okay.
Do you?
No.
But I also don't really want one.
Yours is...
Yours is fine.
It's good.
Yours is good.
But not for me.
To keep.
You know, I really should go.
Thanks for having me.
Are you okay?
Do you think I can fake the signature?
Will they even check?
Yours doesn't taste like coconut.
It's vanilla almond.
Then why are there coconuts all over the
container?
Because it's made with coconut milk.
It's better for you.
I don't want better for me.
I'm miserable.
Look, I think you're afraid of finding Craig.
He just might be on board with this.
If you're not going to comfort people with
words, you should keep real ice cream in
the house.
All I'm saying is maybe you really don't
want him to sign it because if he
signs it, then you're going to have to
sign the papers.
Stop trying to turn your views into my
views.
I'm not.
I'm just saying they're not that...
different.
They might be similar.
No, they're not.
They're not that different.
They're very different.
About this, about Ray, and about what is
and what is not ice cream.
Still ate it.
I'm actually pretty excited because I gained five
pounds these past two weeks.
And yeah, I mean, I'm also excited about
how my chest is.
It's building up.
I think it looks pretty good.
No more Ace bandages.
Got it.
I'm counting down the weeks until I start
T.
Today is a good day.
Ten weeks.
And nine.
Eight.
Lola Johnson's definitely a virgin.
It's like you have a queen.
She gives good head.
I know that for sure.
You'd never go down on her.
I know that for sure.
You don't even have a chance.
I know she only likes guys with big
dicks.
How was
your day?
Kind of depends on whether or not you
signed the papers.
Can we talk about it later?
Just because you're the parent doesn't mean that
you get to decide when we can talk
about things.
Actually, it does.
Because I'm the only parent and I'm dealing
with this shit for two.
So I'm shit now.
Oh, please, Ray.
Come on.
You know that's not what I meant.
No, it's fine.
Because that's how I feel.
I feel like shit.
Or worse than shit.
I get to swear if I'm having a
shitty day.
You're the kid.
You get to take it out on the
parent if you're having a shitty day.
And you're doing a pretty great job without
it.
I'm not having a shitty day, Mom.
I'm having a shitty existence.
Come on, Ray.
Are you having second thoughts?
We agreed to take this slow.
What can I do to make it better?
Tell me.
I'm sorry.
I want you to be proud of me.
Where are you going?
Ray?
Ray?
Oh, my baby.
What a sweetheart.
But to think that I spent my whole
life working so women could have control over
their bodies and out, I have to call
my granddaughter he.
Yo, Ray.
Let me talk to you for a second.
Hey, just leave him alone.
Come on, girl.
So we have to have different albums for
everything.
Yeah, it helps to distinguish the Ray days
from the Ramona days.
How about pink for before she defected?
It didn't defect.
I'm ignoring you.
Let's just do public albums.
Blue.
And private albums.
Oh, private albums, blue.
No, private albums, pink.
Public albums, blue.
Whatever.
Okay.
Oh, this is a very private one.
Look at that.
You used to have a lot of boyfriends
sometimes all at the same time.
You can't make jokes out of my mistakes.
That's exactly what you're supposed to do with
mistakes.
Your own mistakes.
You make jokes out of your own mistakes.
Like, remember the time you thought you were
straight and you married my father?
Hilarious.
I never thought I was straight.
I was just pretending.
I don't think you should jeopardise Ray's circumstances
just because you're afraid to face your own
demons.
I went to the DSS.
It's not the same as going to see
Craig.
Do you have any ice?
Is that a black eye?
Oh, my God.
Peter, sit down.
Are you okay?
Yeah, I'm fine.
What happened?
Here, you can have my ice.
Oh, I swallowed it.
I'm sorry.
Aren't you supposed to use steak?
What do you mean?
I want to eat red meat.
Ice cream.
Get the ice cream.
I ate it all.
I thought you hated that.
Peas.
I think you can use frozen peas.
Who eats frozen peas anymore?
I'm kidding.
Wow, good shiner.
I haven't been this close to a black
eye in years.
Got it.
Oh, well.
Chicken's just like steak.
Oh, my God, it isn't.
And that's not chicken.
That's corniche.
Exactly.
His little wing is in her eye.
Are you in pain?
Can you see?
Yeah, no, I'm fine.
It's okay.
It was just some kids.
They wanted my phone.
Oh, my God.
You were mugged?
No, Mom.
It was some school kids.
From your school?
No, a school.
But, like, just kids, okay?
Will you guys keep it together?
Come on.
But there's a can on it.
It's pretty sick.
Careful not to get the rosemary in your
eye.
Why?
Is it bad for you?
No, it's just pointy.
Did they get it?
All right, that's my gal.
Yeah.
I lost my shoe there.
Oh, no.
Was that dinner?
That was dinner.
She really makes me not want to be
seen with you.
Well, that only makes me want to be
sure you're seen.
Can we just go home?
Cities don't get dark.
Yeah, well, this isn't for seeing.
It's for hitting in case those kids come
back.
Well, those are the kids you're sending her
to school with.
Yeah, well, you sent me to public school.
That was before the sexualisation of everything.
You're a lesbian.
You're pretty judgemental.
Well, having sex with women doesn't mean you're
open-minded.
It just means you're happy.
I don't know why you had to come.
This is worse than the part of the
night when I got punched.
Is that it?
Where?
Right there.
Yep.
That's it.
How do we do this?
There.
Okay.
Can we just go home?
Okay.
Move, move, Mom.
I got this.
Whoa.
Wait, hold this.
I got it.
Wait.
What?
What are you doing, Mom?
I'm getting the shoe.
I really don't think it's legal to climb
strangers' fire escape.
Well, I don't think it's legal to steal
someone's shoe.
Are you okay, Mom?
Yeah.
Can you see?
Yes.
We got this.
She's amazing.
No, no, no.
See, my granddaughter, she got mugged, and they
took her shoe.
Go watch television or something.
It's fine.
When I was little, my mom always wanted
me to be a princess.
Yo, Ray.
Hey, you a girl or a boy, huh?
Show me your dick, girl.
Where you running to, faggot?
When I was little, my mom always wanted
me to be a princess or Cinderella.
But I wanted to be a race car
driver or an astronaut or a cowboy.
I thought you'd given up.
I won ten bucks.
Oh.
My lucky day.
Well, dinner's on you, then.
Did you have the talk?
Not yet.
You want me to?
I will.
You just open your mouth, and words come
out, and then things are said, and it's
over.
I will.
I will.
I just, she was in a mood.
I didn't want to do it.
She was in a mood.
She's always in a mood.
We all are.
I'm never in a mood.
No.
You're just difficult.
His.
He.
Me.
Boy.
I want to be her boyfriend.
Hey, Ray.
I heard you got into a fight.
It wasn't a big deal.
Was it a guy who hit you?
A couple of guys.
Well, I think you're really brave.
You mean beating up on a girl, right?
Well, I got class.
I'll see you later.
I, I think I have the wrong house.
Can I help you?
Um, I, uh, well, actually, I was looking
for someone.
Does he live here?
Does Craig Walker live here?
Are you, like, a lawyer or something?
No, no.
Who are you?
Uh, I'm Cinda Walker.
A boy?
Yes, a boy.
For how long?
Years.
Five, six years.
It's gotten more intense as he's grown into
himself, into a person, an articulate person.
Well, what if it gets better?
Well, it's not a thing that gets better
because it's not bad.
It just is.
You know, we've been through therapy together on
this, years of therapy.
I've talked to a million people.
Doctors?
Yes, of course, doctors.
You know, she never wore dresses.
You said it didn't matter.
This isn't about wearing dresses.
It's not a choice.
It's not a whim.
Ray sees himself.
His vagina is just not a part of
him.
It's like a mean trick.
They're risks.
They're serious risks.
I know.
She may not be able to get pregnant.
What if she changes her mind?
What if he commits suicide?
This is a lot.
I mean, you know.
Look, you want me to sign it?
Look, is there a pamphlet or something, for
Christ's sake?
Yes, there's a pamphlet.
Hundreds of pamphlets and websites and support groups
and message boards.
I want to be informed.
Well, it's too late to be informed.
I didn't come here to just catch you
up on the last ten years of his
life.
I don't know how you think I'm supposed
to know what to do here.
You don't have to know.
This is just a bullshit formality because you're
named on the birth certificate.
My being named on the birth certificate means
I have certain rights, and I have the
right to make an informed choice.
No, I'm making the informed choice.
You don't ever get to make an informed
decision because you weren't there.
You weren't there for the school meetings, for
the tantrums, for the birthdays, the skinneys, the
discovery of sarcasm, or anything else.
I'm taking Zoe to the yard.
Okay.
There is no Ramona anymore.
It's just Ray.
Now, I went through losing my daughter all
by myself, and I will be raising my
son exactly the same, by myself.
So if you could just please...
Why weren't we together?
Just ask yourself why.
Why are you...
No, no, I didn't come here to talk
about us.
Nobody cares about us.
You've certainly moved on, and I definitely think
Simba doesn't care about us.
Simba, Simba.
She's definitely moved on, and so is your
adorable baby.
You can't just show up at my house,
infringe on my family, and expect me to
do something I don't even...
I don't even know if I agree with!
You're right, you shouldn't have come here.
I should have just faked your death certificate.
Sign it myself.
Ray?
Oh, God.
Did somebody turn the water off?
Oh, it's you, all right.
Stay there.
Don't, don't, don't move.
Let me unhook this.
Oh, shit.
Have you been exercising?
How did it go?
Really?
You're asking me that when I'm on the
floor?
So, when is expected?
No, it's not what I expected, actually.
Well, it's what I expected.
I love this conversation.
You didn't really think it would go smoothly,
did you?
He didn't sign the papers, and he has
a perfect baby girl and a pretty young
wife who's named after an elephant or something.
Well, you had a perfect baby girl.
Dodo?
There you are.
I've been at the U.N. all day
arguing with a lot of men about female
circumcision.
Couldn't write it.
And look what they gave me.
What am I gonna do with this?
I can't even re-gift it.
Oh, sorry.
I'd ask how it went, but you're lying
on the floor.
Thanks for asking, better mom.
Are you very upset we still love you?
She said that, right?
That we, we still love you.
Well, I hope so.
Of course, we want you here.
We want you to, we want you to
come over all the time.
Where else would I be?
Oh.
Oh, I don't know.
Wherever you go when you're not here.
You know?
I didn't have the conversation because she was
on the floor.
How am I to know she wasn't on
the floor because of the talk?
What talk?
We have to talk.
Okay.
So, uh...
We were thinking, since Ray's going to public
school next year...
Which is definitely happening, right?
And you won't be paying all that artsy
-fartsy tuition.
We don't mean artsy-fartsy in a bad
way.
All right, I'm going to handle this, okay?
That maybe you could redirect some of those
funds to your own apartment.
Not attached to your mother's apartment.
You're breaking up with me?
Now?
No.
No, no, no.
We're breaking out, out, out into the world.
You're breaking up with me.
Sweetie, it's time.
So who's going to take care of you
when you're old?
We're going to pay someone.
That's really selfish.
You know, I've been going to this same
deli since I was ten.
There is one that's closer, but I like
this one.
The guy there always says, thank you, little
man.
Mom!
Mom!
Are you watching Chaz Bono videos again?
No.
Ray, not now, Mom.
Um...
Okay, uh...
Dodo and Honey have asked us to move
out.
Really?
But it has nothing to do with anything.
They love you.
I want to live somewhere else.
Don't you?
I want to be with, like, different neighbours
and stuff.
Neighbours that, like, wouldn't have met me when
I was seven, wearing a dress.
I want to start over.
I get to start tea.
I get to stop feeling like someone in
between.
We're doing it, Mom!
We're really doing it!
Oh!
Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go,
go, go, go.
Go, go, go, go.
Oh, oh.
Oh, God.
God.
Hey, hey, hey, hey!
Shit!
Whoa, whoa, whoa!
Holy shit.
Are you serious?
Hey!
Hey!
Hey!
Hey!
Right when it's all coming together, bam, there
he is.
Just as I'm about to get the whole
thing signed, or not signed, but nearly signed,
and there he is.
Why?
Why was Matthew there?
Maybe because he was visiting his brother.
Yeah, well, obviously, but, oh, God, the whole
thing is just so complicated.
Maybe it's happening for a reason.
But why does it have to take so
long?
I'm sorry, I'm trying to show you around
as efficiently as possible.
You saw the kitchen appliances, yes?
It's just such a monumental decision.
Oh, God.
Honestly, I think Ray is the only good
decision I've ever made.
And if we go through with this, does
that make me the best mother on the
planet or the worst?
Do you remember we were gonna name him
Cole if he was a boy?
And now she is a boy, and his
name is Ray, like a truck driver or
something?
I know a lot of Rays who are
not truck drivers.
What if he turns around one day with
a full beard and says, Mom, I made
a mistake?
Wait, do we really have to do this
now, Ray?
I...
am I scared?
You were always fidgety, and everything was always
dicky or stuffy or itchy.
I said you're not coming out with us
until you put the dress on.
I thought you were a boy.
Dad wanted a boy, of course.
And then they said you were a girl.
I was surprised.
You were all boy.
I said stay in your room until you
put the dress on.
You took out your scissors, and you just
cut it up.
You'd cut the stupid dress to pieces.
Regrets?
Yeah, I have regrets.
There's been a problem with the papers.
Your father has to sign them.
Okay.
But he won't.
Why does he care?
He hasn't seen me since I was basically
a baby.
Make him sign it.
It's complicated.
Uncomplicated.
Okay, so Honey suggested that you emancipate yourself
from us.
Me and your father, I mean.
And that would mean that you get to
make all your own decisions.
And I'm not sure I'm ready for that.
Can you stop making my problems into your
problems?
I'm not starting a new school in this
body.
I'm just not.
Maybe they'd make an exception.
Maybe you could switch mid-year.
I'm done with being an upset...
I'm...
Hi.
Does...
I'm looking for Craig Walker.
Mom, it's for Craig Walker.
Who is it?
Who is it?
Can I help you?
Who?
It's Ramona.
Ramona?
Ray, actually.
Uh, come on in.
Come on in.
Cinda.
This is Ramona.
Right.
Ray.
Right.
Hi.
It's nice to meet you.
Uh, I've heard a lot about you.
I doubt it, but that's nice of you
to say.
So I have siblings.
Sort of.
Half-siblings, whatever.
Yeah, they're great kids.
But it would have been nice to know.
So just in case you do that again,
like leave your family and start a new
one, you should tell this family about the
old one.
I didn't leave my family.
I feel pretty left.
I didn't leave you guys.
It sort of just, uh, dissolved.
Fine.
So if this family dissolves, and another one
solidifies, you should...
I didn't come here to talk about this.
I don't know what your mom told you.
I really don't want to talk about Mom
with you.
Well, does she know that you're here?
Yeah.
I was like, hey, Mom, I'm gonna skip
school to confront my deadbeat dad.
I think you should call her and tell
her you're here.
I'll think about it.
Well, look, I gotta get back to the
office.
I only come here for lunch.
Well, you should tell them that you're gonna
be late, or stuck, or whatever.
Okay.
Hey, it's me.
One of my kids is sick, so I'm
not gonna be able to make it to
the office today.
Yeah.
Okay.
Thank you.
I'm not sick.
Hey, Mom?
Is Ray down there?
Oh.
Well, okay.
He must be at Taylor's or something.
Yeah, he probably did, but my phone was
dead.
Stop!
Stop!
Uh, are you gonna stay for dinner?
I don't know who to ask that to.
Hi, Ms. Bennett.
This is Sandy at the Freeman School.
Just checking in because Ray's not in today,
and we wanted to make sure it's an
excused absence.
I got a call that Ray wasn't in
school today.
Well, it was dead.
Why didn't you call my landline?
Yes, I have a landline.
I'm sorry if you're this way because of
me.
Are you this way because of me?
I'm a lot of things because of you.
This isn't one of them.
Sorry.
If he finds him, he needs to tell
me where everyone is grounded.
You don't believe in grounding.
Do you believe in missing children?
He's not missing.
She's just not here.
Hello?
Oh.
Oh, my God.
Oh, thank God.
Tell him I'll be right there, and I
will, uh...
Is it Craig?
Okay, great.
I'll be right there.
He's in Pleasantville.
I don't want to be the one that
says, I told you so, but...
You didn't tell me so.
Well, I meant to.
Let's take the rambler.
I'm surprised he even recognised Ray.
Why have I been renting cars all this
time?
Well, we're going.
Oh, we're definitely going.
No, you're not.
I don't think this is a radio time.
Why not?
Because it's not a road trip, it's a
mission, and I'm freaking out.
I'm not.
Please, Mom, stop.
I've never been in the backseat of this
car before.
There are six ashtrays.
Do you have your seatbelt on?
There aren't any backseats.
How did we used to put Ray's car
seat back there?
We'd rig it with the rope.
Sit back, please.
Tie yourself down with the rope.
We should get the suspension.
Oh, you know, there might be a helmet
back there, too, that we used to put
on Maggie when we would take long drives.
It's ridiculous.
You know, the helmet was my idea.
Really?
Most parents would just throw their kids in
the back, and they would bounce around like
laundry, but not me.
I got the helmet.
Safety first.
I think I have to find a bathroom.
Whew.
Are you friends with our dad?
Not really.
Are you friends with our mom?
No.
A long time ago, I had a, um...
I had a different family.
I wasn't married.
But, uh...
I had a kid.
That kid...
is Ray.
So you're like our brother?
Yeah.
Sort of.
Yeah.
Why sort of?
Because I was born in a girl's body.
But you're a boy.
Can they fix it?
Mostly.
I'm a girl in a girl's body.
I think.
That's good.
You're lucky.
Thank you.
Gotta eat.
You're both lucky.
I think she's rushing into it.
Mom, not now.
Don't you, a little bit, feel like it's
rushed?
Oh, God.
Dare I use the restroom here?
What's the alternative?
You always ask the difficult questions.
Hey, will you come stand guard, just in
case there's any truck stop nonsense?
It might not have a lock.
We don't have time for this, Mom.
Okay, I'll be standing up.
I may not be married to her, but...
I'm married to her near Rosie's.
It's a lose-lose.
Sorry, Moms.
I'm breaking out with you.
Max?
Maggie?
Max, what the...
Hey, come back!
This is not funny.
She's not funny.
Did I say something again?
Is that the problem?
What are we...
You have another friend over?
I promise you, it's not a friend.
Thanks for calling.
Maggie, nice to see you.
Ray!
Again.
Is he okay?
Come in.
Again.
Oh, I didn't realise you had company.
No, these are our older kids.
This is Mia and Cole, and you remember
Zoe.
You have three kids named Cole?
No, they're not all named Cole.
Four.
Well, if she's asking me, it's three.
Yeah, I have three kids.
Four.
Oh, my God.
I've caught it.
Do you want to get that to go,
honey?
I'm not leaving until he agrees to sign
the papers.
Well, the thing is, your mother hasn't signed
them either.
Where are they?
Give me the papers.
Something's happening.
All right, everybody.
All right, come on.
Can I have a pen?
What's the date?
This is fucking insane.
Jesus.
Jesus.
I didn't do anything.
She just showed up.
He.
He.
Sorry.
She promised she'd never do that.
She promised she'd never do shit for him.
All I did was tell you that Ramona,
that Ray, was here.
Okay?
You're welcome.
No, no, no, don't.
You're welcome me.
You can't suddenly decide you have rights after
a hundred years of radio silence.
Maggie, whose phone was that?
Yours.
Mine.
Yeah, yours.
You slept with...
So, the kind of girlfriend I was should
have no bearing on what kind of parents
you decided to make.
Don't use the word girlfriend like it takes
some weight off your ass.
You slept with my brother!
You slept with Uncle What's-His-Name.
Matthew.
Uncle Matthew.
You slept with Uncle Matthew?
Did you say Matthew?
Mom!
Oh, my God.
Um.
Unbelievable.
Can you go to your room?
Someone's room.
Just go to someone's room.
Thanks a lot.
Look at the damage you did to my
family.
I didn't speak to my brother for years.
It's a fucking earthquake, you dog!
Blaming me didn't change the fact that we
both fucked up.
I've done everything I possibly could, Maggie.
I know.
I didn't miss a single...
I did my best.
Oh, really?
That was your best, being gone for ten
years?
I was not gone, for Christ's sakes.
I took her to lunches and...
One museum.
You haven't seen her, him, since you...
I have been more present than most guys
would have been in my position.
And what position is that?
Being busy with your other kids?
The position of not, actually.
Being her father.
His father!
His father!
Stop!
Stop!
Stop!
Stop!
Stop!
You ruined it!
You ruined it!
Stop!
Stop it!
You ruined it!
You ruined it!
It's never gonna happen!
I'm sorry.
Did you guys know that Uncle Matthew is
my real dad?
Great.
My whole
life I've searched my body for scars.
Because I know a part of me is
missing.
Everyone assumes that who I am is connected
to who they thought I was.
When I was born.
They're wrong.
When did I know I was definitely a
boy?
When did I know I was definitely a
boy?
Okay.
I'm not gonna interfere anymore.
I don't wanna get left at the gas
station again, as it were.
She's apologising.
I'm apologising.
We both are.
We shouldn't have come.
Well.
I still need the father's consent.
Oh, wow.
That's amazing, considering that Ray's got two dads
now.
I mean, sorry.
That slipped out.
Well, it didn't.
That's two more fathers than you ever had.
True.
And two more than Mag's ever had.
Now there's like dads coming out of the
woodwork everywhere.
Who will
love him?
He's my grandson.
You don't have to talk to me.
I know you're angry.
And you have a right to be.
I fucked up.
I know that.
Just I'm not interested.
Ray.
I love you.
I need to go to bed.
You're the reason I don't have a dad.
I'm doing my best.
Please.
Mom.
It's gonna be different.
A lot needs to be different before I
can come here.
I know, but Craig is still your dad.
I want to emancipate myself.
From all of you.
It's not the way to go.
Anyway, it's not that easy.
If it was easy, Mom, most kids would
be doing it.
You must really hate whoever gave you that
present.
It's a dead mouse.
Can I come in?
I'm not talking first.
I hate your brother.
Okay.
I hate him for everything he's done or
not done.
But I hate him especially now for talking
to you.
Okay.
And I hate you, too.
Okay.
For coming here.
Okay.
And for saying okay over and over again,
which is worse than not saying anything at
all.
All right.
And I hate myself, in case anyone's wondering.
So don't feel especially special or anything.
I don't.
Good.
You were, though.
Used to be.
I wish you'd chose me.
Would you have chosen us?
I'd like to think so.
I'd rather not think so.
Otherwise, I don't know how...
I don't know.
So tell me you wouldn't have.
I wouldn't have.
Just tell me you wouldn't have.
I wouldn't have.
Good.
Can you, can you tell me...
Shh, shh, shh, shh.
I don't hear any slamming.
I could have been there for him.
Um, you remember...
Uncle Matthew.
Say Matthew.
Matthew.
Did you see what Jenny Schwartz was wearing
today?
Shut up.
What?
I thought you loved her.
I don't love her.
I'd hit that, but I don't love her.
Language.
Hit that?
I hate that.
Hey, Mrs. Reisman.
Hey, Jesse.
Taylor.
Spoon.
Is that your dad?
I don't have a dad.
He's a good kid.
Um, I'll, I'll talk to you.
Come on in.
Matthew.
Matthew, Matthew.
I don't remember.
Do you drink?
No, yeah, not, not, not this early.
Thanks.
We didn't ask you over to have a
drink.
He's gotten a little thick around the middle.
Well, so have we.
Oh, no, it's just a support brace.
I mean, I probably am a little thicker
around the middle, but there's also...
Yeah, we don't need to see your bra.
What we want to know is what you're
doing back in the picture.
And if you really know what you're getting
into.
Do you really know what you're getting into?
No, I, I, I don't.
Good answer.
That is a good answer.
Now, that's enough of this.
Ray.
Look, sometimes I'm wrong.
Not often, but sometimes.
And I thought you were too young to
know what you wanted.
Yeah, but you do know.
And I was just afraid.
And now I, I realise that, well, who
you are, and who I love is staying
the same, and everything that's changing is just
details.
What are you saying?
I'm saying that it's about time that we
had a man in this family.
Want to listen to a new beat I
made from an old jazz sample?
Yeah.
I had a
conference in the city.
And?
And I thought I'd stop by and lay
some heavy shit on you.
You ever heard of that?
You need a better opener.
I came to apologise.
Thank you.
I didn't realise I'd be interrupting anything.
It's, it's not anything.
I mean, it's something.
Well, he certainly wasn't invited.
It's, it's just...
You called Matthew and told him, and now
he's here, and we're all just...
Maggie.
He didn't tell me anything.
I did tell him.
I told you.
I told you.
I told you that your, your affair with
my wife...
Girlfriend.
Makes you Ramona's father.
But she's still my daughter.
Son!
Shit.
I, I want to be involved.
But...
I'm not going away.
I want to be here.
He's not interested.
I didn't come here for you.
I came here for Ray.
Matthew told me that Ray told him that
he doesn't have a father.
He doesn't have a father.
I thought you were at Taylor's.
What was going on out there?
He was being a douche.
Jerk.
Blue ink ran out.
Ray, can you turn it down a little,
please?
Sure.
I didn't know you were home.
Do you always play it this loud when
I'm not home?
Only when I'm really, really, really happy.
It is really hot in here.
I wear a lot of shit.
I'd like to know all those people.
Like Dad and Matthew.
Or Dad, Matthew, or whatever.
Oh.
Okay.
And Cinda and those kids.
We can take it at your pace.
Let's talk about Ray.
Okay, now I'm going to show you how
to use this, right?
It's not very complicated.
Can I take this?
What?
Oh.
Do you mind?
Yeah.
All right.
See you then.
You're welcome.
Lay out things that you need to know
when administering testosterone.
A couple of do's and don'ts.
Right, Ray?
It was cold.
Oh, my God.
Everybody's there, huh?
What do you think?
Sockie.
Sockie time.
Okay, I'll be right there.
My name is Cole.
I like the name Cole.
Sweetheart, will you please put that down?
I'm proud of you.
Howling, vibrating, the wildest of humans into the
soil, tamed and domesticated Awesome luck on
me Cause I'm incandescently
Awesome
luck on me
I make the same wish.
I wish I was a boy.
I was raised in New York by my
mom.
My mom's mom.
And my mom's mom's girlfriend.
My friends thought it was so cool.
But all I ever wanted was normal.
It's been
a long time and here we are.
There is absolutely nothing to worry about.
So, there will be weight gain.
Fat is fluid and it'll move from the
hip area to the front of the belly.
Facial hair and hair growth on your chest
and your arms, that'll happen pretty fast.
Your breasts will not go away.
That requires surgery.
And the great news is you will see
a drop in your menstrual cycle.
Thank God.
Periods have never been easy on young men.
It's been hard on her.
Him.
Us.
It's been really hard on us.
Of course, the T, it's the testosterone element
to the hormone therapy.
That'll put a stop to them, pretty much.
And since Ray is 16, here is the
parental consent form which will need to be
signed.
What about trying something alternative?
What, like acupuncture?
We'll see you at home, Mom.
What did I say?
Hey, John.
Hey, Ramona.
How are you?
Ray, remember?
Where are you going?
I'm supposed to be at Taylor's.
Be back in an hour and 50 minutes?
Please?
Hot flashes will get you every time.
I am so glad I'm over those.
I'm not having a hot flash, Mom.
I'm having an anxiety attack.
I thought you quit.
I have.
Oh, good.
Here, will you hold this a minute?
What is this?
It's a dead mouse.
Found it in the hallway.
Oh, my God.
Trying to find something to bury in it.
It seems so harsh to just, you know,
throw it into the trash.
Ah, this will do.
Don't you have tea in your own house?
This is all my house.
It's good.
I like it.
I just wanted...
I wasn't saying that you can't cook.
I'm just saying...
You pack it with salt.
What are you talking about?
You should concern yourself with whether it's organic
or not.
It's packed with salt.
Don't start, Mom.
Did you think I was undermining her?
Franny doesn't think I was undermining her.
Go for it, babe.
I don't like vegetables anymore.
I feel like I have to eat them.
You do have to eat them.
You know, she got tired of vegetables, too.
Yoda, when you meet as George Russell, did
Bill Evans play here, too?
They all played here except for Monk because
he was allergic to our dogs.
I miss Mr. Pepper.
I do, too.
I love that dog.
I couldn't stand that dog.
You two are so alike.
You should have been her mother.
What does it say that you married your
daughter?
The expression is that you marry your father,
not your...
Okay, in this case, I guess I married
my mother.
Except you didn't marry me.
Because we're old school and we didn't feel
the need.
But you know what else they say?
They say you turn into your mother.
Have another drink, Mom.
Well, thank you.
Can you take your plate, please?
Ray, can you ask to be excused?
Can I be excused?
What?
You should take his plate.
Ray, come get your plate.
I got this.
Why can't she just be a lesbian?
Because she's not a lesbian, Mom.
She's a boy.
But she's a person who likes girls.
That could be a boy or a lesbian.
And she's still getting her period, so I
vote lesbian.
He's still getting his period.
Now, come on.
All right, I'm staying out of this.
But I just don't understand why we're in
such a hurry.
Franny agrees with me on this.
No, but I am staying out of it.
All right, I'm sorry.
It just feels like mutilation to me.
I thought you said you were going to
stay out of it.
Franny has been fighting against female genital mutilation.
You'll back me up on this, won't you?
This is not helpful.
You can't take things out of context.
He needs to be at least six months
into the hormones before he changes schools.
Okay?
Why does he want to change schools?
Because he wants a conventional experience.
Then just be a normal lesbian.
I can hear you.
Good.
Join the conversation.
I just want to be normal.
In a regular school.
I just want to try it.
So you want to try being gay?
Fucker.
Well, why is normal the goal all of
a sudden?
What about being authentic?
Authentic is what he wants to be.
Okay.
Bye.
Okay.
Thanks.
Did you sign the papers?
You mean since we got home this afternoon?
No.
Because that's the whole point of me switching
schools and stuff.
I know, but it's only February, honey.
It takes three months to kick in.
We agreed to take it slow, right?
I'm proud of you.
And?
I'm proud of you, too.
That's so gay.
Don't use that word.
I'm reappropriating it.
You can't reappropriate a word that doesn't apply
to you.
I'm a boy with tits.
I can reappropriate whatever I want.
I can't make it to basketball tryouts tonight.
Have you got a date?
No, I don't.
Are you going to try out?
I'm too small.
No, you're not.
I'm too small.
That's what they say at least.
I can't wait to leave this school.
I'll miss you.
We live in the same city.
We'll always be tight.
Can you tell Ms. Inslee I'm going to
be late for math?
Next.
Excuse me.
Excuse me.
Sorry.
Sorry.
Excuse me.
Just a second.
I've been here a really long time, and
you have to wait your turn.
Well, I'm not filing a complaint or anything.
I just wanted to get in touch personally
with the man who used to pay child
support for my kid.
Call this number, and the appropriate department can
assist you.
Oh, but I came all the way down
here, so...
You have to call the number, ma'am.
Okay, so what department is that exactly?
The complaint department.
But I don't have a complaint.
You're complaining a lot for someone without a
complaint.
Okay, um...
I just need the information for Craig Walker.
That's all I need.
Maggie.
Hey.
How are you?
Oh, hey.
Hey, Jake.
Um, now's not a good time.
I...
You look great.
Likewise.
Oh, hey.
Sorry.
Okay.
Um...
Uh, yeah.
See ya.
You got a little schmutz?
Where were you?
You were supposed to meet me at group.
I can't relate to anyone there.
They're all freaks.
I can't do this on my own.
What?
You got some shit all over your face.
Yeah, okay.
So what about in the circumstances in which
there's only one active parent involved?
So you're saying I need to...
Mom?
Yeah, just a second, honey.
I'll be right there.
So would you need proof if he's dead?
Can we just have one?
Mom, who's dead?
Because, you know, who knows?
He maybe is...
dead.
His name is Cliff Walker.
I tried.
I went to the DSS.
I have an old address and number I
have.
We haven't spoken in years.
And, uh, you know, he's just not a
part of our lives, or this decision.
I really don't understand why people have secret
conversations in the bathroom.
It's the most equity room in the house.
You know what?
I'm gonna get back to you.
You've been so helpful.
Thank you very much.
Are you waiting for the bathroom?
Who are you talking to?
Who's dead?
Nobody.
But a girl can dream.
You up there?
Liza, you up there?
Can you knock occasionally?
Hiding under my roof is not gonna solve
anything.
You still live with your mother?
Please, Mom.
I have a deadline.
Something's gotta change.
Things are changing.
A lot of shit is changing.
Did you sign the forms?
No.
Have any second thoughts?
No.
Yes.
I don't know.
She's 16.
And I don't know anything about boys and
it's not like I had any role models.
You had me.
Whatever happened...
I don't want a boyfriend.
Wow, you're too old to use that word
anyway.
You know what, Max?
It's time.
Live a little.
What's it like having a penis?
What?
Is it great or...
blah, not great.
It's great.
Yeah, it's great.
You don't wish it was more organised or
contained?
I don't mean do you wish you had
a vagina.
I just mean the penis itself.
Do you wish it was more neat?
Or...
in there?
In there?
Yeah, like put away.
Nope.
Oh, okay.
Do you?
No.
But I also don't really want one.
Yours is...
Yours is fine.
It's good.
Yours is good.
But not for me.
To keep.
You know, I really should go.
Thanks for having me.
Are you okay?
Do you think I can fake the signature?
Will they even check?
Yours doesn't taste like coconut.
It's vanilla almond.
Then why are there coconuts all over the
container?
Because it's made with coconut milk.
It's better for you.
I don't want better for me.
I'm miserable.
Look, I think you're afraid of finding Craig.
He just might be on board with this.
If you're not going to comfort people with
words, you should keep real ice cream in
the house.
All I'm saying is maybe you really don't
want him to sign it because if he
signs it, then you're going to have to
sign the papers.
Stop trying to turn your views into my
views.
I'm not.
I'm just saying they're not that...
different.
They might be similar.
No, they're not.
They're not that different.
They're very different.
About this, about Ray, and about what is
and what is not ice cream.
Still ate it.
I'm actually pretty excited because I gained five
pounds these past two weeks.
And yeah, I mean, I'm also excited about
how my chest is.
It's building up.
I think it looks pretty good.
No more Ace bandages.
Got it.
I'm counting down the weeks until I start
T.
Today is a good day.
Ten weeks.
And nine.
Eight.
Lola Johnson's definitely a virgin.
It's like you have a queen.
She gives good head.
I know that for sure.
You'd never go down on her.
I know that for sure.
You don't even have a chance.
I know she only likes guys with big
dicks.
How was
your day?
Kind of depends on whether or not you
signed the papers.
Can we talk about it later?
Just because you're the parent doesn't mean that
you get to decide when we can talk
about things.
Actually, it does.
Because I'm the only parent and I'm dealing
with this shit for two.
So I'm shit now.
Oh, please, Ray.
Come on.
You know that's not what I meant.
No, it's fine.
Because that's how I feel.
I feel like shit.
Or worse than shit.
I get to swear if I'm having a
shitty day.
You're the kid.
You get to take it out on the
parent if you're having a shitty day.
And you're doing a pretty great job without
it.
I'm not having a shitty day, Mom.
I'm having a shitty existence.
Come on, Ray.
Are you having second thoughts?
We agreed to take this slow.
What can I do to make it better?
Tell me.
I'm sorry.
I want you to be proud of me.
Where are you going?
Ray?
Ray?
Oh, my baby.
What a sweetheart.
But to think that I spent my whole
life working so women could have control over
their bodies and out, I have to call
my granddaughter he.
Yo, Ray.
Let me talk to you for a second.
Hey, just leave him alone.
Come on, girl.
So we have to have different albums for
everything.
Yeah, it helps to distinguish the Ray days
from the Ramona days.
How about pink for before she defected?
It didn't defect.
I'm ignoring you.
Let's just do public albums.
Blue.
And private albums.
Oh, private albums, blue.
No, private albums, pink.
Public albums, blue.
Whatever.
Okay.
Oh, this is a very private one.
Look at that.
You used to have a lot of boyfriends
sometimes all at the same time.
You can't make jokes out of my mistakes.
That's exactly what you're supposed to do with
mistakes.
Your own mistakes.
You make jokes out of your own mistakes.
Like, remember the time you thought you were
straight and you married my father?
Hilarious.
I never thought I was straight.
I was just pretending.
I don't think you should jeopardise Ray's circumstances
just because you're afraid to face your own
demons.
I went to the DSS.
It's not the same as going to see
Craig.
Do you have any ice?
Is that a black eye?
Oh, my God.
Peter, sit down.
Are you okay?
Yeah, I'm fine.
What happened?
Here, you can have my ice.
Oh, I swallowed it.
I'm sorry.
Aren't you supposed to use steak?
What do you mean?
I want to eat red meat.
Ice cream.
Get the ice cream.
I ate it all.
I thought you hated that.
Peas.
I think you can use frozen peas.
Who eats frozen peas anymore?
I'm kidding.
Wow, good shiner.
I haven't been this close to a black
eye in years.
Got it.
Oh, well.
Chicken's just like steak.
Oh, my God, it isn't.
And that's not chicken.
That's corniche.
Exactly.
His little wing is in her eye.
Are you in pain?
Can you see?
Yeah, no, I'm fine.
It's okay.
It was just some kids.
They wanted my phone.
Oh, my God.
You were mugged?
No, Mom.
It was some school kids.
From your school?
No, a school.
But, like, just kids, okay?
Will you guys keep it together?
Come on.
But there's a can on it.
It's pretty sick.
Careful not to get the rosemary in your
eye.
Why?
Is it bad for you?
No, it's just pointy.
Did they get it?
All right, that's my gal.
Yeah.
I lost my shoe there.
Oh, no.
Was that dinner?
That was dinner.
She really makes me not want to be
seen with you.
Well, that only makes me want to be
sure you're seen.
Can we just go home?
Cities don't get dark.
Yeah, well, this isn't for seeing.
It's for hitting in case those kids come
back.
Well, those are the kids you're sending her
to school with.
Yeah, well, you sent me to public school.
That was before the sexualisation of everything.
You're a lesbian.
You're pretty judgemental.
Well, having sex with women doesn't mean you're
open-minded.
It just means you're happy.
I don't know why you had to come.
This is worse than the part of the
night when I got punched.
Is that it?
Where?
Right there.
Yep.
That's it.
How do we do this?
There.
Okay.
Can we just go home?
Okay.
Move, move, Mom.
I got this.
Whoa.
Wait, hold this.
I got it.
Wait.
What?
What are you doing, Mom?
I'm getting the shoe.
I really don't think it's legal to climb
strangers' fire escape.
Well, I don't think it's legal to steal
someone's shoe.
Are you okay, Mom?
Yeah.
Can you see?
Yes.
We got this.
She's amazing.
No, no, no.
See, my granddaughter, she got mugged, and they
took her shoe.
Go watch television or something.
It's fine.
When I was little, my mom always wanted
me to be a princess.
Yo, Ray.
Hey, you a girl or a boy, huh?
Show me your dick, girl.
Where you running to, faggot?
When I was little, my mom always wanted
me to be a princess or Cinderella.
But I wanted to be a race car
driver or an astronaut or a cowboy.
I thought you'd given up.
I won ten bucks.
Oh.
My lucky day.
Well, dinner's on you, then.
Did you have the talk?
Not yet.
You want me to?
I will.
You just open your mouth, and words come
out, and then things are said, and it's
over.
I will.
I will.
I just, she was in a mood.
I didn't want to do it.
She was in a mood.
She's always in a mood.
We all are.
I'm never in a mood.
No.
You're just difficult.
His.
He.
Me.
Boy.
I want to be her boyfriend.
Hey, Ray.
I heard you got into a fight.
It wasn't a big deal.
Was it a guy who hit you?
A couple of guys.
Well, I think you're really brave.
You mean beating up on a girl, right?
Well, I got class.
I'll see you later.
I, I think I have the wrong house.
Can I help you?
Um, I, uh, well, actually, I was looking
for someone.
Does he live here?
Does Craig Walker live here?
Are you, like, a lawyer or something?
No, no.
Who are you?
Uh, I'm Cinda Walker.
A boy?
Yes, a boy.
For how long?
Years.
Five, six years.
It's gotten more intense as he's grown into
himself, into a person, an articulate person.
Well, what if it gets better?
Well, it's not a thing that gets better
because it's not bad.
It just is.
You know, we've been through therapy together on
this, years of therapy.
I've talked to a million people.
Doctors?
Yes, of course, doctors.
You know, she never wore dresses.
You said it didn't matter.
This isn't about wearing dresses.
It's not a choice.
It's not a whim.
Ray sees himself.
His vagina is just not a part of
him.
It's like a mean trick.
They're risks.
They're serious risks.
I know.
She may not be able to get pregnant.
What if she changes her mind?
What if he commits suicide?
This is a lot.
I mean, you know.
Look, you want me to sign it?
Look, is there a pamphlet or something, for
Christ's sake?
Yes, there's a pamphlet.
Hundreds of pamphlets and websites and support groups
and message boards.
I want to be informed.
Well, it's too late to be informed.
I didn't come here to just catch you
up on the last ten years of his
life.
I don't know how you think I'm supposed
to know what to do here.
You don't have to know.
This is just a bullshit formality because you're
named on the birth certificate.
My being named on the birth certificate means
I have certain rights, and I have the
right to make an informed choice.
No, I'm making the informed choice.
You don't ever get to make an informed
decision because you weren't there.
You weren't there for the school meetings, for
the tantrums, for the birthdays, the skinneys, the
discovery of sarcasm, or anything else.
I'm taking Zoe to the yard.
Okay.
There is no Ramona anymore.
It's just Ray.
Now, I went through losing my daughter all
by myself, and I will be raising my
son exactly the same, by myself.
So if you could just please...
Why weren't we together?
Just ask yourself why.
Why are you...
No, no, I didn't come here to talk
about us.
Nobody cares about us.
You've certainly moved on, and I definitely think
Simba doesn't care about us.
Simba, Simba.
She's definitely moved on, and so is your
adorable baby.
You can't just show up at my house,
infringe on my family, and expect me to
do something I don't even...
I don't even know if I agree with!
You're right, you shouldn't have come here.
I should have just faked your death certificate.
Sign it myself.
Ray?
Oh, God.
Did somebody turn the water off?
Oh, it's you, all right.
Stay there.
Don't, don't, don't move.
Let me unhook this.
Oh, shit.
Have you been exercising?
How did it go?
Really?
You're asking me that when I'm on the
floor?
So, when is expected?
No, it's not what I expected, actually.
Well, it's what I expected.
I love this conversation.
You didn't really think it would go smoothly,
did you?
He didn't sign the papers, and he has
a perfect baby girl and a pretty young
wife who's named after an elephant or something.
Well, you had a perfect baby girl.
Dodo?
There you are.
I've been at the U.N. all day
arguing with a lot of men about female
circumcision.
Couldn't write it.
And look what they gave me.
What am I gonna do with this?
I can't even re-gift it.
Oh, sorry.
I'd ask how it went, but you're lying
on the floor.
Thanks for asking, better mom.
Are you very upset we still love you?
She said that, right?
That we, we still love you.
Well, I hope so.
Of course, we want you here.
We want you to, we want you to
come over all the time.
Where else would I be?
Oh.
Oh, I don't know.
Wherever you go when you're not here.
You know?
I didn't have the conversation because she was
on the floor.
How am I to know she wasn't on
the floor because of the talk?
What talk?
We have to talk.
Okay.
So, uh...
We were thinking, since Ray's going to public
school next year...
Which is definitely happening, right?
And you won't be paying all that artsy
-fartsy tuition.
We don't mean artsy-fartsy in a bad
way.
All right, I'm going to handle this, okay?
That maybe you could redirect some of those
funds to your own apartment.
Not attached to your mother's apartment.
You're breaking up with me?
Now?
No.
No, no, no.
We're breaking out, out, out into the world.
You're breaking up with me.
Sweetie, it's time.
So who's going to take care of you
when you're old?
We're going to pay someone.
That's really selfish.
You know, I've been going to this same
deli since I was ten.
There is one that's closer, but I like
this one.
The guy there always says, thank you, little
man.
Mom!
Mom!
Are you watching Chaz Bono videos again?
No.
Ray, not now, Mom.
Um...
Okay, uh...
Dodo and Honey have asked us to move
out.
Really?
But it has nothing to do with anything.
They love you.
I want to live somewhere else.
Don't you?
I want to be with, like, different neighbours
and stuff.
Neighbours that, like, wouldn't have met me when
I was seven, wearing a dress.
I want to start over.
I get to start tea.
I get to stop feeling like someone in
between.
We're doing it, Mom!
We're really doing it!
Oh!
Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go,
go, go, go.
Go, go, go, go.
Oh, oh.
Oh, God.
God.
Hey, hey, hey, hey!
Shit!
Whoa, whoa, whoa!
Holy shit.
Are you serious?
Hey!
Hey!
Hey!
Hey!
Right when it's all coming together, bam, there
he is.
Just as I'm about to get the whole
thing signed, or not signed, but nearly signed,
and there he is.
Why?
Why was Matthew there?
Maybe because he was visiting his brother.
Yeah, well, obviously, but, oh, God, the whole
thing is just so complicated.
Maybe it's happening for a reason.
But why does it have to take so
long?
I'm sorry, I'm trying to show you around
as efficiently as possible.
You saw the kitchen appliances, yes?
It's just such a monumental decision.
Oh, God.
Honestly, I think Ray is the only good
decision I've ever made.
And if we go through with this, does
that make me the best mother on the
planet or the worst?
Do you remember we were gonna name him
Cole if he was a boy?
And now she is a boy, and his
name is Ray, like a truck driver or
something?
I know a lot of Rays who are
not truck drivers.
What if he turns around one day with
a full beard and says, Mom, I made
a mistake?
Wait, do we really have to do this
now, Ray?
I...
am I scared?
You were always fidgety, and everything was always
dicky or stuffy or itchy.
I said you're not coming out with us
until you put the dress on.
I thought you were a boy.
Dad wanted a boy, of course.
And then they said you were a girl.
I was surprised.
You were all boy.
I said stay in your room until you
put the dress on.
You took out your scissors, and you just
cut it up.
You'd cut the stupid dress to pieces.
Regrets?
Yeah, I have regrets.
There's been a problem with the papers.
Your father has to sign them.
Okay.
But he won't.
Why does he care?
He hasn't seen me since I was basically
a baby.
Make him sign it.
It's complicated.
Uncomplicated.
Okay, so Honey suggested that you emancipate yourself
from us.
Me and your father, I mean.
And that would mean that you get to
make all your own decisions.
And I'm not sure I'm ready for that.
Can you stop making my problems into your
problems?
I'm not starting a new school in this
body.
I'm just not.
Maybe they'd make an exception.
Maybe you could switch mid-year.
I'm done with being an upset...
I'm...
Hi.
Does...
I'm looking for Craig Walker.
Mom, it's for Craig Walker.
Who is it?
Who is it?
Can I help you?
Who?
It's Ramona.
Ramona?
Ray, actually.
Uh, come on in.
Come on in.
Cinda.
This is Ramona.
Right.
Ray.
Right.
Hi.
It's nice to meet you.
Uh, I've heard a lot about you.
I doubt it, but that's nice of you
to say.
So I have siblings.
Sort of.
Half-siblings, whatever.
Yeah, they're great kids.
But it would have been nice to know.
So just in case you do that again,
like leave your family and start a new
one, you should tell this family about the
old one.
I didn't leave my family.
I feel pretty left.
I didn't leave you guys.
It sort of just, uh, dissolved.
Fine.
So if this family dissolves, and another one
solidifies, you should...
I didn't come here to talk about this.
I don't know what your mom told you.
I really don't want to talk about Mom
with you.
Well, does she know that you're here?
Yeah.
I was like, hey, Mom, I'm gonna skip
school to confront my deadbeat dad.
I think you should call her and tell
her you're here.
I'll think about it.
Well, look, I gotta get back to the
office.
I only come here for lunch.
Well, you should tell them that you're gonna
be late, or stuck, or whatever.
Okay.
Hey, it's me.
One of my kids is sick, so I'm
not gonna be able to make it to
the office today.
Yeah.
Okay.
Thank you.
I'm not sick.
Hey, Mom?
Is Ray down there?
Oh.
Well, okay.
He must be at Taylor's or something.
Yeah, he probably did, but my phone was
dead.
Stop!
Stop!
Uh, are you gonna stay for dinner?
I don't know who to ask that to.
Hi, Ms. Bennett.
This is Sandy at the Freeman School.
Just checking in because Ray's not in today,
and we wanted to make sure it's an
excused absence.
I got a call that Ray wasn't in
school today.
Well, it was dead.
Why didn't you call my landline?
Yes, I have a landline.
I'm sorry if you're this way because of
me.
Are you this way because of me?
I'm a lot of things because of you.
This isn't one of them.
Sorry.
If he finds him, he needs to tell
me where everyone is grounded.
You don't believe in grounding.
Do you believe in missing children?
He's not missing.
She's just not here.
Hello?
Oh.
Oh, my God.
Oh, thank God.
Tell him I'll be right there, and I
will, uh...
Is it Craig?
Okay, great.
I'll be right there.
He's in Pleasantville.
I don't want to be the one that
says, I told you so, but...
You didn't tell me so.
Well, I meant to.
Let's take the rambler.
I'm surprised he even recognised Ray.
Why have I been renting cars all this
time?
Well, we're going.
Oh, we're definitely going.
No, you're not.
I don't think this is a radio time.
Why not?
Because it's not a road trip, it's a
mission, and I'm freaking out.
I'm not.
Please, Mom, stop.
I've never been in the backseat of this
car before.
There are six ashtrays.
Do you have your seatbelt on?
There aren't any backseats.
How did we used to put Ray's car
seat back there?
We'd rig it with the rope.
Sit back, please.
Tie yourself down with the rope.
We should get the suspension.
Oh, you know, there might be a helmet
back there, too, that we used to put
on Maggie when we would take long drives.
It's ridiculous.
You know, the helmet was my idea.
Really?
Most parents would just throw their kids in
the back, and they would bounce around like
laundry, but not me.
I got the helmet.
Safety first.
I think I have to find a bathroom.
Whew.
Are you friends with our dad?
Not really.
Are you friends with our mom?
No.
A long time ago, I had a, um...
I had a different family.
I wasn't married.
But, uh...
I had a kid.
That kid...
is Ray.
So you're like our brother?
Yeah.
Sort of.
Yeah.
Why sort of?
Because I was born in a girl's body.
But you're a boy.
Can they fix it?
Mostly.
I'm a girl in a girl's body.
I think.
That's good.
You're lucky.
Thank you.
Gotta eat.
You're both lucky.
I think she's rushing into it.
Mom, not now.
Don't you, a little bit, feel like it's
rushed?
Oh, God.
Dare I use the restroom here?
What's the alternative?
You always ask the difficult questions.
Hey, will you come stand guard, just in
case there's any truck stop nonsense?
It might not have a lock.
We don't have time for this, Mom.
Okay, I'll be standing up.
I may not be married to her, but...
I'm married to her near Rosie's.
It's a lose-lose.
Sorry, Moms.
I'm breaking out with you.
Max?
Maggie?
Max, what the...
Hey, come back!
This is not funny.
She's not funny.
Did I say something again?
Is that the problem?
What are we...
You have another friend over?
I promise you, it's not a friend.
Thanks for calling.
Maggie, nice to see you.
Ray!
Again.
Is he okay?
Come in.
Again.
Oh, I didn't realise you had company.
No, these are our older kids.
This is Mia and Cole, and you remember
Zoe.
You have three kids named Cole?
No, they're not all named Cole.
Four.
Well, if she's asking me, it's three.
Yeah, I have three kids.
Four.
Oh, my God.
I've caught it.
Do you want to get that to go,
honey?
I'm not leaving until he agrees to sign
the papers.
Well, the thing is, your mother hasn't signed
them either.
Where are they?
Give me the papers.
Something's happening.
All right, everybody.
All right, come on.
Can I have a pen?
What's the date?
This is fucking insane.
Jesus.
Jesus.
I didn't do anything.
She just showed up.
He.
He.
Sorry.
She promised she'd never do that.
She promised she'd never do shit for him.
All I did was tell you that Ramona,
that Ray, was here.
Okay?
You're welcome.
No, no, no, don't.
You're welcome me.
You can't suddenly decide you have rights after
a hundred years of radio silence.
Maggie, whose phone was that?
Yours.
Mine.
Yeah, yours.
You slept with...
So, the kind of girlfriend I was should
have no bearing on what kind of parents
you decided to make.
Don't use the word girlfriend like it takes
some weight off your ass.
You slept with my brother!
You slept with Uncle What's-His-Name.
Matthew.
Uncle Matthew.
You slept with Uncle Matthew?
Did you say Matthew?
Mom!
Oh, my God.
Um.
Unbelievable.
Can you go to your room?
Someone's room.
Just go to someone's room.
Thanks a lot.
Look at the damage you did to my
family.
I didn't speak to my brother for years.
It's a fucking earthquake, you dog!
Blaming me didn't change the fact that we
both fucked up.
I've done everything I possibly could, Maggie.
I know.
I didn't miss a single...
I did my best.
Oh, really?
That was your best, being gone for ten
years?
I was not gone, for Christ's sakes.
I took her to lunches and...
One museum.
You haven't seen her, him, since you...
I have been more present than most guys
would have been in my position.
And what position is that?
Being busy with your other kids?
The position of not, actually.
Being her father.
His father!
His father!
Stop!
Stop!
Stop!
Stop!
Stop!
You ruined it!
You ruined it!
Stop!
Stop it!
You ruined it!
You ruined it!
It's never gonna happen!
I'm sorry.
Did you guys know that Uncle Matthew is
my real dad?
Great.
My whole
life I've searched my body for scars.
Because I know a part of me is
missing.
Everyone assumes that who I am is connected
to who they thought I was.
When I was born.
They're wrong.
When did I know I was definitely a
boy?
When did I know I was definitely a
boy?
Okay.
I'm not gonna interfere anymore.
I don't wanna get left at the gas
station again, as it were.
She's apologising.
I'm apologising.
We both are.
We shouldn't have come.
Well.
I still need the father's consent.
Oh, wow.
That's amazing, considering that Ray's got two dads
now.
I mean, sorry.
That slipped out.
Well, it didn't.
That's two more fathers than you ever had.
True.
And two more than Mag's ever had.
Now there's like dads coming out of the
woodwork everywhere.
Who will
love him?
He's my grandson.
You don't have to talk to me.
I know you're angry.
And you have a right to be.
I fucked up.
I know that.
Just I'm not interested.
Ray.
I love you.
I need to go to bed.
You're the reason I don't have a dad.
I'm doing my best.
Please.
Mom.
It's gonna be different.
A lot needs to be different before I
can come here.
I know, but Craig is still your dad.
I want to emancipate myself.
From all of you.
It's not the way to go.
Anyway, it's not that easy.
If it was easy, Mom, most kids would
be doing it.
You must really hate whoever gave you that
present.
It's a dead mouse.
Can I come in?
I'm not talking first.
I hate your brother.
Okay.
I hate him for everything he's done or
not done.
But I hate him especially now for talking
to you.
Okay.
And I hate you, too.
Okay.
For coming here.
Okay.
And for saying okay over and over again,
which is worse than not saying anything at
all.
All right.
And I hate myself, in case anyone's wondering.
So don't feel especially special or anything.
I don't.
Good.
You were, though.
Used to be.
I wish you'd chose me.
Would you have chosen us?
I'd like to think so.
I'd rather not think so.
Otherwise, I don't know how...
I don't know.
So tell me you wouldn't have.
I wouldn't have.
Just tell me you wouldn't have.
I wouldn't have.
Good.
Can you, can you tell me...
Shh, shh, shh, shh.
I don't hear any slamming.
I could have been there for him.
Um, you remember...
Uncle Matthew.
Say Matthew.
Matthew.
Did you see what Jenny Schwartz was wearing
today?
Shut up.
What?
I thought you loved her.
I don't love her.
I'd hit that, but I don't love her.
Language.
Hit that?
I hate that.
Hey, Mrs. Reisman.
Hey, Jesse.
Taylor.
Spoon.
Is that your dad?
I don't have a dad.
He's a good kid.
Um, I'll, I'll talk to you.
Come on in.
Matthew.
Matthew, Matthew.
I don't remember.
Do you drink?
No, yeah, not, not, not this early.
Thanks.
We didn't ask you over to have a
drink.
He's gotten a little thick around the middle.
Well, so have we.
Oh, no, it's just a support brace.
I mean, I probably am a little thicker
around the middle, but there's also...
Yeah, we don't need to see your bra.
What we want to know is what you're
doing back in the picture.
And if you really know what you're getting
into.
Do you really know what you're getting into?
No, I, I, I don't.
Good answer.
That is a good answer.
Now, that's enough of this.
Ray.
Look, sometimes I'm wrong.
Not often, but sometimes.
And I thought you were too young to
know what you wanted.
Yeah, but you do know.
And I was just afraid.
And now I, I realise that, well, who
you are, and who I love is staying
the same, and everything that's changing is just
details.
What are you saying?
I'm saying that it's about time that we
had a man in this family.
Want to listen to a new beat I
made from an old jazz sample?
Yeah.
I had a
conference in the city.
And?
And I thought I'd stop by and lay
some heavy shit on you.
You ever heard of that?
You need a better opener.
I came to apologise.
Thank you.
I didn't realise I'd be interrupting anything.
It's, it's not anything.
I mean, it's something.
Well, he certainly wasn't invited.
It's, it's just...
You called Matthew and told him, and now
he's here, and we're all just...
Maggie.
He didn't tell me anything.
I did tell him.
I told you.
I told you.
I told you that your, your affair with
my wife...
Girlfriend.
Makes you Ramona's father.
But she's still my daughter.
Son!
Shit.
I, I want to be involved.
But...
I'm not going away.
I want to be here.
He's not interested.
I didn't come here for you.
I came here for Ray.
Matthew told me that Ray told him that
he doesn't have a father.
He doesn't have a father.
I thought you were at Taylor's.
What was going on out there?
He was being a douche.
Jerk.
Blue ink ran out.
Ray, can you turn it down a little,
please?
Sure.
I didn't know you were home.
Do you always play it this loud when
I'm not home?
Only when I'm really, really, really happy.
It is really hot in here.
I wear a lot of shit.
I'd like to know all those people.
Like Dad and Matthew.
Or Dad, Matthew, or whatever.
Oh.
Okay.
And Cinda and those kids.
We can take it at your pace.
Let's talk about Ray.
Okay, now I'm going to show you how
to use this, right?
It's not very complicated.
Can I take this?
What?
Oh.
Do you mind?
Yeah.
All right.
See you then.
You're welcome.
Lay out things that you need to know
when administering testosterone.
A couple of do's and don'ts.
Right, Ray?
It was cold.
Oh, my God.
Everybody's there, huh?
What do you think?
Sockie.
Sockie time.
Okay, I'll be right there.
My name is Cole.
I like the name Cole.
Sweetheart, will you please put that down?
I'm proud of you.
Howling, vibrating, the wildest of humans into the
soil, tamed and domesticated Awesome luck on
me Cause I'm incandescently
Awesome
luck on me
Descriptive Audio and Transcript
Below is the complete audio description with transcript for “3 Generations (2015)”. Audio descriptions provide narration of visual elements, actions, and scene details to make films accessible to people who are blind or have low vision.
Audio description benefits more than just visually impaired users. It can help people who are multitasking, those in environments where they can’t watch the screen closely, or anyone who wants a richer understanding of visual storytelling elements.
3 Generations (2015) Descriptive Audio
Geometric shapes within a spinning orb give way
to a logo, Radius TWC.
Hands scoop wet sand into mounds.
A shovel shapes them into two stylised bees.
A wave washes over them, and words appear
underneath, Big Beach.
Every year I blow out my candles and
I make the same wish.
I wish I was a boy.
A close view shows pavement and a crouched
figure skateboarding.
I was raised in New York by my
mom, my mom's mom, and my mom's mom's
girlfriend.
My friends thought it was so cool, but
all I ever wanted was normal.
We look down at the asphalt as it
rapidly speeds by.
The skateboard passes over yellow lane markings.
Aiming a cell phone, the skateboarder zigzags among
traffic through the city.
The travelling teenager's long shadow moves over a
concrete barrier.
Wearing a shapeless brown jacket, knit cap, and
yellow boots, the skateboarder manoeuvres among pedestrians.
A title appears.
Three Generations.
We glimpse the skateboarder's short red hair and
delicate features.
In a room, the teen idly pushes the
skateboard back and forth.
Our view travels past three other pairs of
fidgeting legs, all crossed.
The teen, a woman with strawberry blonde hair,
and two older women face a man at
a desk.
It's been a long time, and here we
are.
There is absolutely nothing to worry about.
So, there will be weight gain.
Fat is fluid, and it'll move from the
hip area to the front of the belly.
Facial hair and hair growth on your chest
and your arms, that'll happen pretty fast.
Your breasts will not go away.
That requires surgery.
And the great news is, you will see
a drop in your menstrual cycle.
Thank God.
Periods have never been easy on young men.
It's been hard on her.
Him.
Us.
It's been really hard on us.
Of course, the T, it's the testosterone element
to the hormone therapy, that'll put a stop
to them, pretty much.
And since Ray is 16, here is the
parental consent form, which will need to be
signed.
The strawberry blonde takes the document titled Gender
Dysphoria Treatment.
In a hallway, the three women walk with
Ray.
What about trying something alternative?
What, like acupuncture?
We'll see you at home, Mom.
The red-headed older woman shrugs.
What did I say?
The bespectacled older woman puts her arm around
her.
In a taxi, Ray unwraps a piece of
gum and puts it in his mouth.
A strawberry blonde mother watches him, then looks
ahead.
Ray blows bubbles with the gum as he
stares distantly out the window.
Later, a doorman opens the taxi's door and
smiles at the team.
Hi, John.
Hey, Ramona.
How are you?
Ray, remember?
Where are you going?
I'm supposed to be at Taylor's.
Ray drops his skateboard to the street and
rides off.
Be back in an hour and fifty minutes?
Please?
Inside, Ray's mother ascends a narrow, winding staircase.
In a large home, she takes off her
scarf and approaches a kitchen.
Behind her, a flight of wooden stairs leads
up.
She sets down her bag and pulls out
a pack of cigarettes.
She takes one out, then searches for a
lighter and tries to ignite it.
Nice.
With the unlit cigarette in her mouth, she
fans herself with a pamphlet.
Hot flashes will get you every time.
I am so glad I'm over those.
I'm not having a hot flash, ma'am.
I'm having an anxiety attack.
I thought you quit.
I have.
Oh, good.
Here, will you hold this a minute?
What is this?
It's a dead mouse.
Found it in the hallway.
Oh, my God.
Trying to find something to bury it in.
It seems so harsh to just, you know,
throw it into the trash.
Ah, this'll do.
Don't you have tea in your own house?
This is all my house.
I wasn't saying that you can't cook.
I'm just saying that...
What are you talking about?
You just concern yourself with whether it's organic
or not.
Don't start, Mom.
Did you think I was undermining her?
Franny doesn't think I was undermining her.
I have an announcement.
Go for it, babe.
I don't like vegetables anymore.
I feel like I have to eat them.
You do have to eat them.
You know, she got tired of vegetables, too.
Dodo, when you met as George Russell, did
Bill Evans play here, too?
They all played here except for Monk because
he was allergic to our dogs.
I miss Mr. Pepper.
I do, too.
I love that dog.
I couldn't stand that dog.
You two are so alike.
You should have been her mother.
What does it say that you married your
daughter?
The expression is that you married your father,
not your...
Okay, in this case, I guess I married
my mother.
Except you didn't marry me.
Because we're old school and we didn't feel
the need.
But you know what else they say?
They say you turn into your mother.
Have another drink, Mom.
Well, thank you.
Can you take your plate, please?
Ray, can you ask to be excused?
Can I be excused?
Yes.
What?
You should take his plate.
Ray, come get your plate.
I got this.
At the dining table, Dodo shakes her
head.
Why can't she just be a lesbian?
Because she's not a lesbian, Mom.
She's a boy.
But she's a person who likes girls.
That could be a boy or a lesbian,
and she's still getting her period, so I
vote lesbian.
He's still getting his period.
All right, I'm staying out of this.
But I just, I don't understand why we're
in such a hurry.
Franny agrees with me on this.
No, but I am staying out of it.
All right, I'm sorry.
It just feels like mutilation to me.
I thought you said you were going to
stay out of it.
Franny has been fighting against female genital mutilation,
so you'll back me up on this one,
John.
This is not helpful.
You can't take things out of context.
He needs to be at least six months
into the hormones before he changes schools, okay?
Why does he want to change schools?
Because he wants a conventional experience.
Then just be a normal lesbian!
I can hear you.
Good, join the conversation.
I just want to be normal in a
regular school.
I just want to try it.
So you want to try being gay.
Well, why is normal the goal all of
a sudden?
What about being authentic?
Authentic is what he wants to be.
Okay.
Thanks.
Ray unwraps it from around himself.
He looks at himself in the mirror and
swallows hard.
Alone in the dining room, Dodo drinks from
a glass and shakes her head.
In another room, Mags sits on a bed.
She flattens the medical form atop a book
titled Animalium.
In the top field of the form, she
writes the name Ramona Bennett.
She checks a box labelled Female, then takes
a deep breath and stares off.
Later, Mags and Ray lie on the bed
with the TV on.
Mags draws on a tablet and Ray texts
on his phone.
A tuft of armpit hair peeks out from
his sleeveless T-shirt.
They both put down their devices.
Did you sign the papers?
You mean since we got home this afternoon?
No.
Because that's the whole point of me switching
schools and stuff.
I know, but it's only February, honey.
It takes three months to kick in.
We agreed to take it slow, right?
Hmm?
I'm proud of you.
And?
Hmm?
I'm proud of you, too.
That's so gay.
Use that word.
I'm reappropriating it.
You can't reappropriate a word that doesn't apply
to you.
I'm a boy with tits.
I can reappropriate whatever I want.
I can't make it to basketball tryouts tonight.
Have you got a date?
No, I don't.
Who is he?
He's gonna pop out.
Edward, are you gonna try on Ray?
I'm too small.
No, you're not.
Does she go here, Ray?
Uh, I'm too small.
That's what they say, at least.
I can't wait to leave this school.
I'll miss you.
We live in the same city.
We'll always be tight.
Can you tell Ms. Inslee I'm gonna be
late for math?
No.
Next.
Excuse me.
Excuse me.
Sorry.
Sorry.
Excuse me.
Second.
I've been here a really long time, and
I just have a quick question.
You have to wait your turn.
Um, well, I'm not filing a complaint or
anything.
I just...
I just wanted to get in touch personally
with the man who used to pay child
support for my kid.
Call this number, and the appropriate department can
assist you.
Oh, but I came all the way down
here, so...
You have to call the number, ma'am.
Okay, so what department is that exactly?
The complaint department.
But I don't have a complaint.
You're complaining a lot for someone without a
complaint.
Okay, um, listen.
I just need the information for Craig Walker.
That's all I need.
Maggie!
Hey!
How are you?
Oh, hey!
Hey, Jake.
Um, now's not a good time.
I...
You look great.
Oh, hey.
Sorry.
Okay.
Uh, yeah.
See ya.
Yellow schmutz.
Where were you?
You were supposed to meet me at group.
I can't relate to anyone there.
They're all freaks.
I can't do this on my own.
What?
You've got some shit all over your face.
Yeah, I know.
Okay, so what about in the circumstances in
which there's only one active parent involved?
So you're saying I need two signatures?
It's pretty much not like this.
Yeah.
But there aren't two parents.
Mom?
Yeah, just a second, honey.
I'll be right there.
So would you need proof if he's dead?
Can we just have one?
Mom, who's dead?
Because, you know, who knows?
He maybe is...
dead.
His name is Cliff Walker.
I've tried.
I went to the DSN.
I have an old address and number.
I have...
We haven't spoken in years.
And, uh, you know, he's just not a
part of our lives or this decision.
I really don't understand why people have secret
conversations in the bathroom.
It's the most echoey room in the house.
You know what?
I'm going to get back to you.
You've been so helpful.
Thank you very much.
Are you waiting for the bathroom?
Who are you talking to?
Who's dead?
Nobody.
But that girl can dream.
Mags pats Ray's head as she walks off.
Nighttime.
Mags?
You up there?
Mags, are you up there?
In her mother's townhouse, Mags paints cartoon animals.
Dodo steps into the room doorway.
Can you knock occasionally?
Hiding under my roof is not going to
solve anything.
You still live with your mother.
Please, Mom.
I have a deadline.
Something's got to change.
Things are changing.
A lot of shit is changing.
Did you sign the forms?
No.
Having second thoughts?
No.
Yes.
I don't know.
She's 16.
God.
And I don't know anything about boys or
men.
It's not like I had any role models.
You had me.
Whatever happens...
I don't want a boyfriend.
Wow, you're too old to use that word
anyway.
You know what, Mags?
It's time.
Live a little.
Mag sits up on the edge of the
bed and picks up her pants.
What's it like having a penis?
What?
Is it great or, uh...
Blah, not great.
Uh, it's great.
Yeah, it's...
Yeah, it's...
It's great.
You don't wish...
It was, uh...
It was...
It was more organised or contained.
I don't mean do you wish you had
a vagina.
I just mean the penis itself.
Do you wish it was more...
Um...
Neat?
Or...
In there?
In there?
Yeah, like put away.
Nope.
Oh.
Okay.
Do you?
No.
But I also don't really want one.
Yours is...
Yours is fine.
It's good.
Yours is good.
But not for me.
To keep.
You know, I really should go.
Thanks for having me.
I...
Are you okay?
♪♪ ♪♪ His youthful face glistens with sweat,
and he does bicep curls.
Inside, Mag sits at the bottom of a
spiral staircase.
She eats ice cream as Dodo organises things
atop the piano.
Do you think I can fake the signature?
Will they even check?
It just doesn't taste like coconut.
It's vanilla almond.
Then why are there coconuts all over the
container?
Because it's made with coconut milk.
It's better for you.
I don't want better for me.
I'm miserable.
Look, I think you're afraid of finding Craig.
He just might be on board with this.
If you're not going to comfort people with
words, you should keep real ice cream in
the house.
All I'm saying is, maybe you really don't
want him to sign it, because if he
signs it, then you're going to have to
sign the papers.
Stop trying to turn your views into my
views.
I'm not.
I'm just saying they're not that...
different.
They might be similar.
No, they're not.
They're not that different.
They're very different.
About this, about Ray, and about what is
and what is not ice cream.
Still ate it.
I'm actually pretty excited, because I gained five
pounds these past two weeks.
And yeah, I mean, I'm also excited about
how my chest is building up.
I think it looks pretty good.
No more Ace bandages.
Got it.
I'm counting down the weeks until I start
T.
Today is a good day.
Ten weeks.
And nine.
In the park, young people do tricks on
their boards.
Ray notices a smiling, wavy-haired girl who
sits on the sidelines.
He gazes at her.
Lola Johnson.
His friends from school sit near him.
She is pretty as hell.
Definitely a virgin.
How can you tell?
It's obvious.
I could do that if I wanted to.
I'd never go out with her.
She'd like me.
I know that for sure.
It's like you have a clue.
Me?
I'm blessed.
She'll like big dudes.
Ray looks away, his smile fading.
On a city sidewalk, he marches with his
hands plunged in his pockets.
A video clip shows Ray walking with the
wavy-haired girl, Lola.
At home, he uses editing software to arrange
clips of Lola and of himself gazing at
his reflection.
Wearing headphones, he bobs his head as he
taps on the small keyboard of an audio
sampler.
Always He touches his throat.
Be by yourself Ray?
His mom walks in.
How was your day?
And your girl?
What?
I said, how was your day?
Kind of depends on whether or not you
signed the papers.
Oh.
Can we talk about it later?
Just because you're the parent doesn't mean that
you get to decide when we can talk
about things.
Well, actually, it does because I'm the only
parent and I'm dealing with this shit for
two.
So I'm shit now.
Oh, please, Ray, come on.
You know that's not what I meant.
No, it's fine.
Because that's how I feel.
I feel like shit.
Or worse than shit.
I get to swear if I'm having a
shitty day.
You're the kid.
You get to take it out on the
parent if you're having a shitty day.
And you're doing a pretty great job without
it.
I'm not having a shitty day, Mom.
I'm having a shitty existence.
Come on, Ray.
Are you having second thoughts?
We agreed to take this slow.
What can I do to make it better?
Tell me.
I'm sorry.
I don't want you to be proud of
me.
Where are you going?
Ray?
Ray?
Oh, my baby.
What a sweetheart.
But to think that I spent my whole
life working so women could have control over
their bodies and now I have to call
my granddaughter He.
There are some fascinating glimpses show the pink
railings of the footbridge and a painted blue
wall.
The images give way to yellow lane dividers
on a road.
Now a roving view shows graffiti in an
alley.
Ray.
A boy with a group of girls approaches.
Let me talk to you for a second.
Hey, just leave him alone.
C'mon girl.
He blocks Ray's path.
So we have to have different albums for
everything.
Yeah, it helps to distinguish the Ray days
from the Ramona days.
How about pink for before she defected?
It didn't defect.
I'm ignoring you.
Let's just do public albums.
Blue.
And private albums.
Oh, private albums, blue.
No.
Private albums, pink.
Public albums, blue.
A photo shows two men and young Ray.
Oh, this is a very private one.
Look at that.
You used to have a lot of boyfriends
sometimes all at the same time.
You can't make jokes out of my mistakes.
That's exactly what you're supposed to do with
mistakes.
Your own mistakes.
You make jokes out of your own mistakes.
Like, remember the time you thought you were
straight and you married my father?
Hilarious.
I never thought I was straight.
I was just pretending.
Near buildings, Ray sits on a long concrete
bench.
I don't think you should jeopardise Ray's circumstances
just because you're afraid to face your own
demons.
I went to the DSS.
That's about the same as going to see
Craig.
Checking his injury in a mirror, he wipes
tears from his eyes.
He enters the piano room.
Do you have any ice?
Is that a black eye?
Oh, my God.
Here, sit down, sit down.
Are you okay?
Yeah, are you okay?
What happened?
Here, you can have my ice.
Oh, I swallowed it.
I'm sorry.
Aren't you supposed to use steak?
What do you mean I want to eat
red meat?
Ice cream.
Get the ice cream.
I ate it all.
I thought you hated that.
Peas.
I think you can use frozen peas.
Who eats frozen peas anymore?
Wow, good shiner.
I haven't been this close to a black
eye in years.
Mags puts raw poultry on his eye.
Oh, well.
Oh, my God, it isn't.
See this little...
And that's not chicken, that's corniche.
Exactly, this little wing is in her eye.
Are you in pain?
Can you see?
Yeah, no, I'm fine.
It's okay?
It was just some kids.
They wanted my phone.
Oh, my God, you were mugged?
No, Mom, it was some school kids.
From your school?
No, a school, but, like, kids, okay?
Will you guys keep it together?
Come on.
But there's a can on it.
Careful not to get the rosemary in your
eye.
Why?
Is it bad for you?
No, it's just pointy.
Did they get it?
All right, that's my gal.
I lost my shoe.
Oh, no.
Was that dinner?
That was dinner.
This really makes me not want to be
seen with you.
Well, that only makes me want to be
sure you're seen.
Can we just go home?
Cities don't get dark.
Yeah, well, this isn't for seeing, it's for
hitting in case those kids come back.
Well, those are the kids you're sending her
to school with.
Yeah, well, you sent me to public school.
That was before the sexualisation of everything.
For a lesbian, you're pretty judgemental.
Well, having sex with women doesn't mean you're
open-minded, it just means you're happy.
I don't know why you had to come.
This is worse than the part of the
night when I got punched.
Is that it?
Where?
Right there.
Yep.
That's it.
How do we do this?
There.
Okay.
Can we just go home?
Mom!
Oh!
Move, move, Mom.
I got this.
The ladder slides down.
Dodo climbs it.
Hold this.
I got it.
What are you doing, Mom?
I'm getting the shoe.
I really don't think it's legal to climb
that.
Mom, I can see a stranger's fire escape.
Well, I don't think it's legal to steal
someone's shoe.
Are you okay, Mom?
Yeah.
Can you see?
Yes.
We got this.
She's amazing.
No, no, no.
See, my granddaughter, she got mugged, and they
took her shoe.
Go watch television or something.
It's fine.
When I was little, my mom always wanted
me to be princess.
Yo, Ray!
Hey, you a girl or a boy, huh?
Show me your dick, girl.
Oh!
Where you running to, faggot?
When I was little, my mom always wanted
me to be princess or Cinderella, but I
wanted to be a race car driver or
an astronaut or a cowboy.
In Ray's room, a strip of light shines
on the numbers, letters, and phrases painted in
black on the wall.
Ray sleeps in bed.
More light shines in as Mags enters.
She crawls beside her son.
She covers him with the blanket and strokes
his hair.
Settling in, she drapes an arm over him
and shuts her eyes.
In her own bedroom, Mags stares distantly, then
drops her gaze.
Later, she walks into a car rental shop.
She drives a hatchback across a bridge away
from the city.
On a balcony, Dodo smokes, her feet propped
on the railing.
She wears a shawl draped around her shoulders,
and a light breeze rustles her hair.
Franny joins her, and Dodo stubs out her
cigarette.
I thought you'd given up.
I won ten bucks.
My lucky day.
Well, dinner's on you, then.
Did you have the talk?
Not yet.
You want me to?
I will.
You just open your mouth, and words come
out, and things are said, and it's over.
I will.
I will.
I just, she was in a mood.
I didn't want to do it.
She was in a mood.
She's always in a mood.
We all are.
I'm never in a mood.
No.
You're just difficult.
His.
He.
Him.
Me.
Boy.
I want to be her boyfriend.
He watches video clips of himself, Lola, and
his friends.
A painted phrase on his wall reads, Pray
for love, for enough time, for energy and
stamina.
Ray zips up his backpack.
He checks his bruised eye, then smiles.
At school, Lola approaches him.
Hey, Ray.
Heard you got into a fight.
It wasn't a big deal.
Was it a guy who hit you?
A couple of guys.
Well, I think you're really brave.
You'd be lame beating up on a girl,
right?
Well, I got class.
I'll see you later.
Mags cautiously approaches, peering through the window as
she rings the bell.
A dark-haired woman carrying a baby slides
open the door.
I think I have the wrong house.
Can I help you?
I, uh...
Well, actually, I was looking for someone.
Does he live here?
Does Craig Walker live here?
Are you, like, a lawyer or something?
No.
No.
Who are you?
Uh, I'm Cynda Walker.
Mags' mouth hangs open.
In a kitchen, she fidgets with a child's
toy.
A man faces her.
A boy?
Yes, a boy.
For how long?
Years.
Five, six years.
It's gotten more intense as he's grown into
himself, into a person, an articulate person.
Craig puts a water pitcher back in the
fridge.
Well, what if it gets better?
Well, it's not a thing that gets better
because it's not bad.
It just is.
You know, we've been through therapy together on
this.
Years of therapy.
I've talked to a million people.
Doctors?
Yes, of course, doctors.
You know, she never wore dresses.
You said it didn't matter.
This isn't about wearing dresses.
It's not a choice.
It's not a whim.
Ray sees himself.
His vagina is just not a part of
him.
It's like a mean trick.
There are risks.
There are serious risks.
I know.
She may not be able to get pregnant.
What if she changes her mind?
What if he commits suicide?
They lock eyes.
This is a lot.
I mean, you know.
Look, you want me to sign it?
Is there a pamphlet or something for Christ's
sake?
Yes, there's a pamphlet.
Hundreds of pamphlets and websites and support groups
and message boards.
I want to be informed.
Well, it's too late to be informed.
I didn't come here to just catch you
up on the last ten years of his
life.
I don't know how you think I'm supposed
to know what to do here.
You don't have to know.
This is just a bullshit formality because you
were named on the birth certificate.
My being named on the birth certificate means
I have certain rights.
And I have the right to make an
informed choice.
No, I'm making the informed choice.
You don't ever get to make an informed
decision because you weren't there.
You weren't there for the school meetings, for
the tantrums, for the birthdays, the skin knees,
the discovery of sarcasm or anything else.
I'm taking Zoe to the yard.
Okay.
Look, there is no Ramona anymore.
It's just Ray.
Now, I went through losing my daughter all
by myself and I will be raising my
son exactly the same by myself.
So if you could just please...
Why weren't we together?
Just ask yourself why.
Why?
I didn't come here to talk about us.
Nobody cares about us.
You've certainly moved on and I definitely think
Simba doesn't care about us.
Simba.
Simba.
She's definitely moved on and so is your
adorable baby.
You can't just show up at my house,
infringe on my family, and expect me to
do something I don't even know if I
agree with.
You're right.
You shouldn't have come here.
I should have just faked your death certificate.
Sign it myself.
She drives away.
The balled up form sits in the otherwise
empty back seat.
It rolls from one side of the car
to the other and then back again.
It finally comes to rest in the seat
behind the driver.
Shadows of vehicles streak around the top corner
of a building.
The townhouse front door opens.
We peer down the winding stairwell as Mags
ascends.
She leans against the railing for support.
She struggles.
She trudges through an open doorway and up
more steps.
Arriving at the top, she crawls across the
floor and collapses on her belly.
A garden hose lies beneath her.
Stretching into the kitchen, the hose connects to
a faucet.
Carrying the other end of the hose, Dodo
comes downstairs.
Really?
You're asking me that when I'm on the
floor?
So, when is expected?
No, it's not what I expected, actually.
Well, it's what I expected.
I love this conversation.
You didn't really think it would go smoothly,
did you?
He didn't sign the papers and he has
a perfect baby girl and a pretty young
wife who's named after an elephant or something.
Well, you had a perfect baby girl.
Dodo?
There you are.
I've been at the U.N. all day,
arguing with a lot of men about female
circumcision.
Couldn't write it.
And look what they gave me.
What am I going to do with this?
I can't even re-gift it.
Oh, sorry.
I'd ask how it went, but you're lying
on the floor.
Thanks for asking.
Better mom.
Are you very upset we still love you?
She said that, right?
That we still love you.
Well, I hope so.
Of course, we want you here.
We want you...
We want you to come over all the
time.
Where else would I be?
Oh.
Oh, I don't know.
Wherever you go when you're not here.
You know?
I didn't have the conversation because she was
on the floor.
How am I to know she wasn't on
the floor because of the talk?
What talk?
We have to talk.
Okay.
So, uh...
We were thinking, since Ray's going to public
school next year...
Which is definitely happening, right?
And you won't be paying all that artsy
-fartsy tuition...
We don't mean artsy-fartsy in a bad
way.
All right, I'm going to handle this, okay?
That maybe you could redirect some of those
funds...
To your own apartment.
Not attached to your mother's apartment.
No.
You're breaking up with me?
Now?
No.
No, no, no.
We're breaking out.
Out, out into the world.
You're breaking up with me.
Sweetie, it's time.
So who's going to take care of you
when you're old?
We're going to pay someone.
That's really selfish.
You know, I've been going to this same
deli since I was ten.
There is one that's closer, but I like
this one.
The guy there always says, Thank you, little
man.
Mom!
Mom!
Are you watching Chaz Bono videos again?
No.
Ray, not now, Mom.
He enters his room.
Our view slowly lowers from the sky to
the rooftop, where Ray works out using a
dumbbell.
He wears a knit cap, a tank top,
and shorts.
The teenager lifts the dumbbell behind his head,
grimacing as he works his triceps.
Inside, Mags lounges in a chair, her gaze
distant.
She holds a book titled Transgender Child.
Ray struggles to remove a compression sports bra.
He drops it on his bed and puts
on a tank top.
Walking through an open doorway, he joins his
mom in her room.
Mags looks at her phone.
Um...
Ray climbs onto the bed, and Mags sets
down her drink.
Okay, um...
Ray watches her intently as she shifts in
her armchair.
Dodo and Honey have asked us to move
out.
Really?
But it has nothing to do with anything.
They love you.
I want to live somewhere else.
Don't you?
I want to be with, like, different neighbours
and stuff.
Neighbours that, like, wouldn't have met me when
I was seven wearing a dress.
I want to start over.
I get to start tea.
I get to stop feeling like someone in
between.
We're doing it, Mom!
We're really doing it!
With a smile, Mags watches him jump on
the bed.
She throws a pillow, and Ray catches it
and throws it back.
In slow motion, the excited teen continues to
jump, smiling widely.
Mags' expression turns thoughtful as she watches him.
Daytime.
On a tree-lined road, a minivan pulls
to a stop.
Through the trees, we view Craig's large wood
-panelled house.
In the van, Mags folds the wrinkled medical
form.
Setting it down, she looks ahead.
She starts to get out of the car,
but stops and stares.
Up the road, a scruffy man joins Craig,
who gets out of the passenger side of
a walker-construction pickup truck.
Mags climbs back into the van.
The two men walk toward her.
Eyeing them, she puts on her seatbelt.
Her seat slowly reclines.
Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go,
go, go, go, go.
Go, go, go, go, go, go.
Oh, God!
Ducking down, she almost hits the scruffy man.
Hey, hey, hey, hey!
She passes.
Shit!
She hits the truck.
Oh!
Holy shit.
Are you serious?
Hey, hey!
Matthew!
Hey!
She drives off.
Hey!
In a vacant apartment.
Right when it's all coming together, bam, there
he is.
Just as I'm about to get the whole
thing signed, or not signed, but nearly signed,
and there he is.
Why?
Why was Matthew there?
Maybe because he was visiting his brother.
Yeah, well, obviously.
But, oh, God, the whole thing is just
so complicated.
Maybe it's happening for a reason.
But why does it have to take so
long?
I'm sorry.
I'm trying to show you around as efficiently
as possible.
You saw the kitchen appliances, yes?
It's just such a monumental decision.
Oh, God.
Honestly, I think Ray is the only good
decision I've ever made.
And if we go through with this, does
that make me the best mother on the
planet or the worst?
Do you remember we were going to name
him Cole if he was a boy?
And now she is a boy, and his
name is Ray, like a truck driver or
something?
I know a lot of Rays who are
not truck drivers.
What if he turns around one day with
a full beard and says, Mom, I made
a mistake?
At home, Mags paints.
Ray watches videos.
Wait, do we really have to do this
now, Ray?
Am I scared?
You were always fidgety, and everything was always
sticky or stuffy or itchy.
I said you're not coming out with us
until you put the dress on.
I thought you were a boy.
Dad wanted a boy, of course.
And then they said you were a girl.
I was surprised.
You were all boy.
I said stay in your room until you
put the dress on.
You took out your scissors, and you just
cut it up.
You'd cut the stupid dress to pieces.
Regrets?
Yeah, I have regrets.
There's been a problem with the papers.
Your father has to sign them.
Okay.
But he won't.
Why does he care?
He hasn't seen me since I was basically
a baby.
Make him sign it.
It's complicated.
Uncomplicated.
Okay, so Honey suggested that you emancipate yourself
from us.
Me and your father, I mean.
And that would mean that you get to
make all your own decisions.
And I'm not sure I'm ready for that.
Can you stop making my problems into your
problems?
I'm not starting a new school in this
body.
I'm just not.
Maybe they'd make an exception.
Maybe you could switch midyear.
I'm done with being an upset...
With a wearied expression, Mag slumps.
Ray's eyes glisten as his chin trembles.
A close view shows Ray's moving skateboard, then
his boots.
We follow close beside his face as he
glides ahead, the breeze rustling his red hair.
In his room, he buttons his flannel shirt.
A view of the neighbouring roof pulls back
through Ray's window.
The teenager runs hair clippers over the top
of his head.
A lock of red hair falls onto the
counter.
A small mirror sits near the window in
front of Ray.
The teen runs a hand over his shorter
hair and shakes his head.
A close view shows loose strands dotting his
brow.
Ray stares ahead intently.
Later, he enters Mag's bedroom and steps to
the cluttered work table.
He runs a hand through his shortened hair
as he flips through an address book.
Ray pulls out his phone and holds it
over a page.
Searching a stack of papers, he finds the
wrinkled medical form.
He folds it up and sticks it in
his pocket.
Gazing off, he smiles faintly.
A roving view passes a rural parking lot
filled with cars and school buses.
Ray leans his head against a train window.
Later, he steps to the doors.
On a road, a close view shows his
yellow boots as he walks.
He blows a gum bubble as he faces
Craig's house.
Rocking their baby, Cynda stands at the large
windows.
Ray approaches the door as a boy opens
it.
Hi.
Does...
I'm looking for Craig Walker.
Mom, it's for Craig Walker.
That's Daddy Bug.
Who is it?
Who is it?
Can I help you?
Ray hesitates to speak.
Oop.
It's Ramona.
Ramona?
Ray, actually.
Uh, come on in.
Come on in.
Come on in.
Come on in.
What is it?
He looks out a large window.
Cynda, this is Ramona.
Ray.
Cynda sits with the boy and a girl.
Hi.
It's nice to meet you.
Uh, I've heard a lot about you.
I doubt it, but that's nice of you
to say.
Here.
They enter a large living room with windowed
walls and a view of the woods.
Ray looks around with an unsmiling expression then
sets his backpack on a sofa.
So I have siblings.
Sort of.
Half-siblings, whatever.
Yeah, they're great kids.
But it would have been nice to know.
So just in case you do that again,
like leave your family and start a new
one, you should tell this family about the
old one.
I didn't leave my family.
I feel pretty left.
I didn't leave you guys.
It sort of just...
Uh, dissolved.
Fine.
So if this family dissolves and another one
solidifies, you should...
I didn't come here to talk about this.
I don't know what your mom told you.
I really don't want to talk about Mom
with you.
Well, does she know that you're here?
Yeah.
I was like, Hey, Mom, I'm gonna skip
school to confront my deadbeat dad.
I think you should call her and tell
her you're here.
I'll think about it.
Well, look, I gotta get back to the
office.
I only come here for lunch.
Well, you should tell them that you're gonna
be late or stuck or whatever.
Okay.
Hey, it's me.
One of my kids is sick, so I'm
not gonna be able to make it to
the office today.
Yeah.
Okay.
Thank you.
I'm not sick.
Hey, Mom, is Ray down there?
Oh, well, okay.
He must be at Taylor's or something.
Yeah, he probably did, but my phone was
dead.
Mom, stop!
Uh, are you gonna stay for dinner?
I don't know who to ask that to.
Hmm...
Hi, Ms. Bennett, this is Sandy at the
Freeman School.
Just checking in because Ray's not in today.
I got a call that Ray wasn't in
school today.
Well, it was dead.
Why didn't you call my landline?
Yes, I have a landline.
I'm sorry if you're this way because of
me.
Are you this way because of me?
Ray sits up.
I'm a lot of things because of you.
This isn't one of them.
Sorry.
At home.
If he finds him, he needs to tell
me where everyone is grounded.
You don't believe in grounding.
Do you believe in missing children?
She's not missing.
She's just not here.
Hello?
Oh!
Oh, my God.
Oh, thank God.
Tell him I'll be right there, and I
will, uh...
How's it, Craig?
Okay, great.
I'll be right there.
He's in Pleasantville.
I don't want to be the one that
says, I told you so, but...
You didn't tell me so.
Well, I meant to.
Let's take the Rambler.
I'm surprised he even recognised Ray.
Why have I been renting cars all this
time?
Oh, we're definitely going.
No, you're not.
I don't think this is the radio time.
Why not?
Because it's not a road trip.
It's a mission, and I'm freaking out.
Please, Mom, stop.
I've never been in the back seat of
this car before.
There are six ashtrays.
Do you have your seatbelts on?
There aren't any back seats.
How did we used to put Ray's car
seat back there?
We'd rig it with a rope.
Sit back, please.
Tie yourself down with the rope.
We should get the suspension down.
Oh, you know, there might be a helmet
back there, too, that we used to put
on Maggie when we would take long drives.
That's ridiculous.
You know, the helmet was my idea.
Really?
Most parents, we just throw their kids in
the back, and they would bounce around like
laundry, but not me.
I got the helmet.
Safety first.
I think I have to find a bathroom.
In Craig's house, the little girl stares at
Ray as they sit at a dining table.
He wears a solemn expression.
Ray glances at the girl.
Craig serves himself food.
Are you friends with our dad?
Not really.
Are you friends with our mom?
No.
Cinda glances at Ray, then drops her gaze.
Craig looks between the two younger children.
A long time ago, I had a, um,
I had a different family.
I wasn't married.
But, uh, I had a kid.
That kid is Ray.
Craig locks eyes with the teenager, who looks
away.
So you like our brother?
Ray grins, then nods slowly.
Yeah.
Sort of.
His smile briefly fades.
Yeah.
Why sort of?
Because I was born in a girl's body.
But you're a boy.
Ray nods.
Can they fix it?
Mostly.
I'm a girl in a girl's body.
I think.
That's good.
You're lucky.
Thank you.
You're both lucky.
In the Rambler, I think she's rushing into
it.
Mom, not now.
Max turns into a gas station.
Don't you, a little bit, feel like it's
rushed?
Ugh.
They park beside a gas pump.
Dare I use the restroom here?
What's the alternative?
You always ask the difficult questions.
Hey, will you come stand a guard, just
in case there's any truck stop nonsense?
It might not have a lot.
We don't have time for this, Mom.
Okay, I'll keep standing up.
I may not be married to her, but
I'm married to her neuroses.
It's a lose-lose.
Mag shakes her head as she pumps gas.
She glances across the lot at Franny, who
stands with her arms crossed near a sign
reading, Toilet.
Mags looks off thoughtfully.
She quickly replaces the gas pump and climbs
into the car.
Sorry, Moms.
I'm breaking out with you.
Mags?
Maggie?
Mags drives off.
Mags, what the?
Hey, come back!
Dodo whistles.
This is not funny.
She's not funny.
Did I say something again?
Is that the problem?
At dusk, Mags turns on the rambler's headlights
as she drives.
At his house, Craig sits with the little
boy at the dinner table.
Cinda feeds the infant.
Can I have a friend over?
I promise you, it's not a friend.
Craig opens the door for Mags.
Maggie?
Nice to see you.
Ray?
Ray stands in the kitchen.
Is he okay?
Mags enters the dining room.
Oh, I didn't realise you had company.
No, these are our older kids.
This is Mia and Cole, and you remember
Zoe?
You have three kids named Cole?
No, they're not all named Cole.
Four.
Well, if she's asking me, it's three.
Yeah, I have three kids.
Four.
Ray enters with a plate of food.
Oh, my God.
I cut it.
The teen sits.
Do you want to get that to go,
honey?
I'm not leaving until he agrees to sign
the papers.
Well, the thing is, your mother hasn't signed
them either.
Where are they?
Give me the papers.
Something's happening.
All right, everybody.
All right, come on.
Can I have a pen?
He searches through a kitchen drawer.
He pulls out a pen and sets it
on the counter.
Mags takes it and flattens the medical treatment
papers.
What's the date?
This is insane.
Jesus.
I didn't do anything.
She just showed up.
He.
He.
Sorry.
He.
Mags clenches her eyes shut as a tear
falls down her face.
She promised that she'd never do that.
She promised she'd never do shit for him.
She wipes her eyes.
All I did was tell you that Ramona,
that Ray, was here, okay?
You're welcome.
No, no, no, don't you're welcome me.
You can't suddenly decide you have rights after
100 years of radio silence.
No, Maggie, your fault was that.
Yours.
Mine.
Yeah, yours.
You slept with...
So the kind of girlfriend I was should
have no bearing on what kind of parents
you decided to make.
Don't use the word girlfriend like it takes
some weight off your ass.
You slept with my brother.
You slept with Uncle what's-his-name?
Matthew.
Uncle Matthew.
You slept with Uncle Matthew?
Did you say Matthew?
Mom!
Oh, my God.
Um...
Unbelievable.
Can you go to your room?
Someone's room.
Just go to someone's room.
Thanks a lot.
The damage you did to my family?
I didn't speak to my brother for years!
The freaking earthquake!
Blaming me doesn't change the fact that we
both asked off.
I did everything I possibly could, Maggie.
I know.
I didn't miss a single...
I did my best.
You think that was your best being gone
for ten years?
She's not gone, for Christ's sakes.
I took her to lunches and...
One museum.
You haven't seen her, him, since...
I have been more present than most guys
would have been in my position.
And what position is that?
Being busy with your other kids?
The position of not actually being her father.
His father!
His father!
Ah!
Ah!
Ah!
Stop!
Stop!
Stop!
Stop!
You ruined it!
You ruined it!
Stop!
Stop it!
Ah!
You ruined it!
You ruined it!
It's never gonna happen!
It's never gonna happen!
I'm sorry.
Did you guys know that Uncle Matthew is
my real dad?
Great.
Okay.
Let's go.
My whole life, I've searched my body for
scars.
Because I know a part of me is
missing.
Everyone assumes that who I am is connected
to who they thought I was when I
was born.
They're wrong.
When did I know I was definitely a
boy?
When did I know I was definitely a
boy?
Since I was four.
Since I was four.
Okay.
Um, I'm not gonna interfere anymore.
I don't wanna get left a bit.
Gas station again, as it were.
She's apologising.
I'm apologising.
We both are.
We shouldn't have come.
Well...
I still need the father's consent.
Oh, wow, that's amazing, considering that Ray's got
two dads now.
I mean, sorry.
I made that slip down.
Well, it didn't.
That's two more fathers than you ever had.
That's not true.
And two more than Mag's ever had.
I mean, there's, like, dads coming out of
the womb everywhere.
I will love him.
I will.
He's my grandson.
You do it.
In his bathroom, Ray looks at a small
mirror.
He gently runs a razor above his lips.
Mag's enters his bedroom, and Ray scowls at
her through the doorway.
You don't have to talk to me.
I know you're angry, and you have a
right to be.
I fucked up.
I know that.
So I'm not interested.
Ray, I love you.
I need to go to bed.
You're the reason I don't have a dad.
I'm doing my best.
Please.
Mom.
It's gonna be different.
A lot needs to be different before I
can come here.
I know, but Craig is still your dad.
In the bleachers, Mag's rubs her son's shoulder
and nods to herself.
Ray eyes her, then looks away.
I want to emancipate myself from all of
you.
It's not the way to go.
Anyway, it's not that easy.
If it was easy, Mom, most kids would
be doing it.
You must really hate whoever gave you that
present.
It's a dead mouse.
Can I come in?
Across the counter, Matthew watches her.
Mags eyes him, and he shifts his weight.
I'm not talking first.
She sets down the lighter.
I hate your brother.
Okay.
I hate him for everything he's done or
not done, but I hate him especially now
for talking to you.
Okay.
And I hate you, too.
Okay.
For coming here.
Okay.
And for saying okay over and over again,
which is worse than not saying anything at
all.
All right.
And I hate myself, in case anyone's wondering.
So don't feel especially special or anything.
I don't.
Good.
He steps closer to her.
She looks away.
You were, though.
Used to be.
Leaning back against the island, Matthew nods, then
shakes his head and looks off.
I wish you'd chose me.
They lock eyes.
Mags drops her gaze.
Would you have chosen us?
I'd like to think so.
I'd rather not think so.
Otherwise, I don't know how...
I don't know.
So tell me you wouldn't have.
I wouldn't have.
Just tell me you wouldn't have.
I wouldn't have.
Good.
Can you...
They creep into the dining room.
Both women peer up at the ceiling.
I don't hear any slamming.
In the kitchen, Matthew looks at Mags, who
averts her gaze.
I could have been there for him.
Ray descends the stairs with a friend and
spots Matthew.
Um, you remember...
Uncle Matthew.
Can you say Matthew?
Matthew.
Did you see what Jenny Schwartz was wearing
today?
Shut up.
Why?
I loved her.
I don't love her.
I'd hit that, but I don't love her.
Language.
Hit that?
I hate that.
Hey, Mrs. Ray's mom.
Hey, Jesse.
Taylor.
Spoon.
Is that your dad?
I don't have a dad.
He's a good kid.
Oh, shit.
Um, I'll...
I'll talk to you.
Come on in.
Matthew.
Matthew, Matthew.
I don't remember.
Do you drink?
No, yeah, not...
not this early.
Thanks.
We didn't ask you over to have a
drink.
He's gotten a little thick around the middle.
Well, so have we.
Oh, no, it's just a support brace.
I mean, I probably am a little thicker
around the middle, but there's also...
Yeah, we don't need to see your bra.
What we want to know is what you're
doing back in the picture, and if you
really know what you're getting into.
Do you really know what you're getting into?
No, I...
I don't.
Good answer.
That is a good answer.
I'm on the phone.
No, that's your mother.
I'm on the phone.
Look, what about my stuff?
Well, take it easy on her.
You never take it easy on me.
Ray.
Ray.
Look, sometimes I'm wrong.
Not often, but sometimes, and I thought you
were too young to know what you wanted,
but you do know, and I was just
afraid.
And now I realise that, well, who you
are and who I love is staying the
same, and everything that's changing is just details.
What are you saying?
I'm saying that it's about time that we
had a man in this family.
Want to listen to a new beat I
made from an old jazz sample?
Yeah.
Smiling, they continue down the sidewalk together.
In the townhouse, Ray gazes out a window.
Outside, Craig sits on the front stoop, thumbing
his phone.
Mags approaches and stares at him.
I had a conference in the city.
And?
And I thought I'd stop by and lay
some heavy shit on you.
You ever heard of that?
You need a better opener.
I came to apologise.
Thank you.
Across the street, Matthew steps out of his
pickup truck.
He approaches, and Craig knits his brow.
I didn't realise I'd be interrupting anything.
It's not anything.
I mean, it's something.
Well, he certainly wasn't invited.
It's just...
You called Matthew and told him, and now
he's here, and we're all just...
Maggie, he didn't tell me anything.
I did tell him.
I told you.
I told you.
I told you.
Your affair with my wife...
Girlfriend.
Makes you Ramona's father, but she's still my
daughter.
Son!
Shit.
I...
I want to be involved.
I'm not going away.
I want to be here.
He's not interested.
I didn't come here for you.
I came here for Ray.
Maggie told me that Ray told him that
he doesn't have a father.
He doesn't have a father.
Inside, Ray steps away from the window.
A close view scans over coloured pencils, paintbrushes,
and art supplies.
A sketchbook shows a painting of a cartoon
bear.
Ray enters.
I thought you were at Taylor's.
What was going on out there?
He was being a douche.
Jerk.
He opens up an envelope.
She holds it out to Ray.
The red-haired teenager eyes her as he
takes it.
Mags watches her son as he unfolds the
medical form.
His chin trembles.
Mags reaches over to him.
Looking at his mother, Ray nods and grins
widely.
This blue ink ran out.
Ray grins at his mother, then stares at
the form.
His chin quivers.
At night, he turns a dial on a
piece of audio equipment, then flips a switch.
He hits a button.
Ray dances wildly, bobbing his head from side
to side.
He jumps around his tiny bedroom, waving his
arms and legs.
He pumps his fists in the air and
grins.
Ray!
Ray!
Ray!
Can you turn it down a little, please?
Sure.
I didn't know you were home.
Do you always play it this loud when
I'm not home?
Only when I'm really, really, really happy.
It's really hot in here.
I wear a lot of shit.
I'd like to know all those people.
Like Dad and Matthew, or Dad Matthew, or
whatever.
Oh.
Okay.
And Cinda and those kids.
We can take it at your pace.
Let's talk about Ray.
Okay, now I'm going to show you how
to use this, right?
It's not very complicated.
Can I take this?
What?
Oh.
Do you mind?
Yeah.
All right.
See you then.
You're welcome.
Lay out things that you need to know
when administering testosterone.
A couple of do's and don'ts.
Right, Ray?
♪♪♪
♪♪♪
♪♪♪ They spot Craig's family sitting
at a table behind a partition.
Ray nods.
He walks away.
In a bathroom, he steps to a mirror
and takes off his hat.
Franny and Dodo join Mags.
It was cold.
They kiss her cheeks.
Everybody's there, huh?
What do you think?
Saki.
Let's do it.
Okay, I'll be right there.
He grabs a towel from a hook and
dries himself.
In the dining room, Franny and Dodo join
Craig's family.
Mags watches.
Ray returns, talking briefly to his mom as
he passes.
He approaches the table and beams at Craig.
They hug.
Still watching from a distance, Mags smiles faintly.
A hostess takes her coat.
Craig talks with Ray.
Mags gazes at the group, her eyes glistening.
Ray chats with Matthew.
Fixing her hair and sweeping her bangs to
the side, Mags approaches the table.
Ray takes a video of her with his
cell phone.
Craig stands.
Sitting between Craig and Ray, Mags looks at
her son, who keeps the phone aimed.
She pushes it down.
My name is Cole.
I like the name Cole.
Ray records his mom with the phone.
Sweetheart, will you please put that down?
I'm proud of you.
Mags mouths, I'm proud of you.
Ray grins and she rubs his back.
Mags beams at her smiling son.
Cut to black.
Remaining opening titles.
Radius TWC Presents Big Beach Presents A Big
Beach Production An in-film production Naomi Watts
Elle Fanning And Susan Sarandon And credits appear.
Directed by Gabby Dalal Written by Nicole Beckwith
and Gabby Dalal Produced by Dorothy Berwin, PGA
Gabby Dalal, PGA Produced by Mark Turtletaub, PGA
And Peter Sarraf, PGA Executive Producers Naomi Watts
Peter Pastorelli Executive Producers Lea Holzer Danielle Malia
Executive Producers Bob Weinstein Harvey Weinstein Director of
Photography David Johnson, BSC Production Designer Stephanie Carroll
Edited by Jeff Bettencourt Joe Landauer Costume Designer
Arjun Basin Music by Wes Dillon Thordson Music
Supervisors Sue Jacobs Joe Rudge Casting by Douglas
Abel and Stephanie Holbrook Tate Donovan Linda Eman
Sam Trammell Jordan Carlos Maria Dizia Credits Roll
Line Producer Marshall Johnson Production Supervisor Kurt Enger
First Assistant Director Ina Broud Second Assistant Director
Anne-Marie Dentisi Co-Producers Caroline Orr Simon
White Elle Fanning as Ray Linda Eman as
Frances Susan Sarandon as Dolly Naomi Watts as
Maggie Andrew Polk as Dr. Brillstein Marcos A.
Gonzalez as John the Doorman Antonio Ortiz as
Taylor Tessa Albertson as Spoon Marquis Rodriguez as
Jesse Gamila Wright as DSS Worker Jordan Carlos
as Jake Elle Winter as Lola Johnson Luca
De Oliveira as Boyan Alley Francesca Keller as
Girlan Alley Jin S.
Kim as Man on Fire Escape Maria Dizia
as Cinda Tate Donovan as Craig Sam Trammell
as Matthew Susan Blackwell as Real Estate Agent
Max Simkins as Cole Matea Maria Conforti as
Mia Stunt Coordinator Manny Severio Stunt Skateboarder Leo
Gutman Ray, Dolly Stunt Double Abby Nelson Maggie
Stunt Double Stephanie Finocchio Art Director Meredith Lippincott
Art Department Coordinator Melissa B.
Miller Clearances Maryann Barthelemy Art Production Assistant Richard
Lieberman Art Department Assistant Samudrika Arora A-Camera
Steadicam Operator David Eisern B-Camera Operator Michael
Fuchs iPhone Camera Operator Alan Gastelum First Assistant
Camera Stephen McBride Second Assistant Camera Jameson Henson
B-Camera First Assistant Camera Jenny Gedry B
-Camera Second Assistant Camera Bobby Arnold Additional B
-Camera Assistant Cameras Carolyn Pender Corey Gegner DIT
Guillermo Tunion Loader Kate Kennedy Still Photographers Sarah
Schatz Walter Thompson Gaffer Nina Kuhn Best Boy
Electric Meg Schrock Electrician Lydia Sudol Additional Electric
Blaine Chow Key Grip Glenn Engels Best Boy
Grip Pat Barker Dolly Grip Charlie Johnston Additional
Grips Rob Sudano Glenn Engels III Property Master
Matthew Marks Assistant Property Master Brittany West Prop
Truck Driver Alicia McDaniel Songs On the Roof
Written by Stephen Warbeck Performed by Elle Fanning
I Wanna Be Your Everything Written by Winfred
Lovett Performed by Elle Fanning Needles in the
Camel's Eye Written by Brian Eno and Phil
Manzanera Performed by Graze Fit In Written and
performed by K.T. Tunstall Big Beach Radius
TWC Copyright 2016 Big Beach, LLC All rights
reserved
to a logo, Radius TWC.
Hands scoop wet sand into mounds.
A shovel shapes them into two stylised bees.
A wave washes over them, and words appear
underneath, Big Beach.
Every year I blow out my candles and
I make the same wish.
I wish I was a boy.
A close view shows pavement and a crouched
figure skateboarding.
I was raised in New York by my
mom, my mom's mom, and my mom's mom's
girlfriend.
My friends thought it was so cool, but
all I ever wanted was normal.
We look down at the asphalt as it
rapidly speeds by.
The skateboard passes over yellow lane markings.
Aiming a cell phone, the skateboarder zigzags among
traffic through the city.
The travelling teenager's long shadow moves over a
concrete barrier.
Wearing a shapeless brown jacket, knit cap, and
yellow boots, the skateboarder manoeuvres among pedestrians.
A title appears.
Three Generations.
We glimpse the skateboarder's short red hair and
delicate features.
In a room, the teen idly pushes the
skateboard back and forth.
Our view travels past three other pairs of
fidgeting legs, all crossed.
The teen, a woman with strawberry blonde hair,
and two older women face a man at
a desk.
It's been a long time, and here we
are.
There is absolutely nothing to worry about.
So, there will be weight gain.
Fat is fluid, and it'll move from the
hip area to the front of the belly.
Facial hair and hair growth on your chest
and your arms, that'll happen pretty fast.
Your breasts will not go away.
That requires surgery.
And the great news is, you will see
a drop in your menstrual cycle.
Thank God.
Periods have never been easy on young men.
It's been hard on her.
Him.
Us.
It's been really hard on us.
Of course, the T, it's the testosterone element
to the hormone therapy, that'll put a stop
to them, pretty much.
And since Ray is 16, here is the
parental consent form, which will need to be
signed.
The strawberry blonde takes the document titled Gender
Dysphoria Treatment.
In a hallway, the three women walk with
Ray.
What about trying something alternative?
What, like acupuncture?
We'll see you at home, Mom.
The red-headed older woman shrugs.
What did I say?
The bespectacled older woman puts her arm around
her.
In a taxi, Ray unwraps a piece of
gum and puts it in his mouth.
A strawberry blonde mother watches him, then looks
ahead.
Ray blows bubbles with the gum as he
stares distantly out the window.
Later, a doorman opens the taxi's door and
smiles at the team.
Hi, John.
Hey, Ramona.
How are you?
Ray, remember?
Where are you going?
I'm supposed to be at Taylor's.
Ray drops his skateboard to the street and
rides off.
Be back in an hour and fifty minutes?
Please?
Inside, Ray's mother ascends a narrow, winding staircase.
In a large home, she takes off her
scarf and approaches a kitchen.
Behind her, a flight of wooden stairs leads
up.
She sets down her bag and pulls out
a pack of cigarettes.
She takes one out, then searches for a
lighter and tries to ignite it.
Nice.
With the unlit cigarette in her mouth, she
fans herself with a pamphlet.
Hot flashes will get you every time.
I am so glad I'm over those.
I'm not having a hot flash, ma'am.
I'm having an anxiety attack.
I thought you quit.
I have.
Oh, good.
Here, will you hold this a minute?
What is this?
It's a dead mouse.
Found it in the hallway.
Oh, my God.
Trying to find something to bury it in.
It seems so harsh to just, you know,
throw it into the trash.
Ah, this'll do.
Don't you have tea in your own house?
This is all my house.
I wasn't saying that you can't cook.
I'm just saying that...
What are you talking about?
You just concern yourself with whether it's organic
or not.
Don't start, Mom.
Did you think I was undermining her?
Franny doesn't think I was undermining her.
I have an announcement.
Go for it, babe.
I don't like vegetables anymore.
I feel like I have to eat them.
You do have to eat them.
You know, she got tired of vegetables, too.
Dodo, when you met as George Russell, did
Bill Evans play here, too?
They all played here except for Monk because
he was allergic to our dogs.
I miss Mr. Pepper.
I do, too.
I love that dog.
I couldn't stand that dog.
You two are so alike.
You should have been her mother.
What does it say that you married your
daughter?
The expression is that you married your father,
not your...
Okay, in this case, I guess I married
my mother.
Except you didn't marry me.
Because we're old school and we didn't feel
the need.
But you know what else they say?
They say you turn into your mother.
Have another drink, Mom.
Well, thank you.
Can you take your plate, please?
Ray, can you ask to be excused?
Can I be excused?
Yes.
What?
You should take his plate.
Ray, come get your plate.
I got this.
At the dining table, Dodo shakes her
head.
Why can't she just be a lesbian?
Because she's not a lesbian, Mom.
She's a boy.
But she's a person who likes girls.
That could be a boy or a lesbian,
and she's still getting her period, so I
vote lesbian.
He's still getting his period.
All right, I'm staying out of this.
But I just, I don't understand why we're
in such a hurry.
Franny agrees with me on this.
No, but I am staying out of it.
All right, I'm sorry.
It just feels like mutilation to me.
I thought you said you were going to
stay out of it.
Franny has been fighting against female genital mutilation,
so you'll back me up on this one,
John.
This is not helpful.
You can't take things out of context.
He needs to be at least six months
into the hormones before he changes schools, okay?
Why does he want to change schools?
Because he wants a conventional experience.
Then just be a normal lesbian!
I can hear you.
Good, join the conversation.
I just want to be normal in a
regular school.
I just want to try it.
So you want to try being gay.
Well, why is normal the goal all of
a sudden?
What about being authentic?
Authentic is what he wants to be.
Okay.
Thanks.
Ray unwraps it from around himself.
He looks at himself in the mirror and
swallows hard.
Alone in the dining room, Dodo drinks from
a glass and shakes her head.
In another room, Mags sits on a bed.
She flattens the medical form atop a book
titled Animalium.
In the top field of the form, she
writes the name Ramona Bennett.
She checks a box labelled Female, then takes
a deep breath and stares off.
Later, Mags and Ray lie on the bed
with the TV on.
Mags draws on a tablet and Ray texts
on his phone.
A tuft of armpit hair peeks out from
his sleeveless T-shirt.
They both put down their devices.
Did you sign the papers?
You mean since we got home this afternoon?
No.
Because that's the whole point of me switching
schools and stuff.
I know, but it's only February, honey.
It takes three months to kick in.
We agreed to take it slow, right?
Hmm?
I'm proud of you.
And?
Hmm?
I'm proud of you, too.
That's so gay.
Use that word.
I'm reappropriating it.
You can't reappropriate a word that doesn't apply
to you.
I'm a boy with tits.
I can reappropriate whatever I want.
I can't make it to basketball tryouts tonight.
Have you got a date?
No, I don't.
Who is he?
He's gonna pop out.
Edward, are you gonna try on Ray?
I'm too small.
No, you're not.
Does she go here, Ray?
Uh, I'm too small.
That's what they say, at least.
I can't wait to leave this school.
I'll miss you.
We live in the same city.
We'll always be tight.
Can you tell Ms. Inslee I'm gonna be
late for math?
No.
Next.
Excuse me.
Excuse me.
Sorry.
Sorry.
Excuse me.
Second.
I've been here a really long time, and
I just have a quick question.
You have to wait your turn.
Um, well, I'm not filing a complaint or
anything.
I just...
I just wanted to get in touch personally
with the man who used to pay child
support for my kid.
Call this number, and the appropriate department can
assist you.
Oh, but I came all the way down
here, so...
You have to call the number, ma'am.
Okay, so what department is that exactly?
The complaint department.
But I don't have a complaint.
You're complaining a lot for someone without a
complaint.
Okay, um, listen.
I just need the information for Craig Walker.
That's all I need.
Maggie!
Hey!
How are you?
Oh, hey!
Hey, Jake.
Um, now's not a good time.
I...
You look great.
Oh, hey.
Sorry.
Okay.
Uh, yeah.
See ya.
Yellow schmutz.
Where were you?
You were supposed to meet me at group.
I can't relate to anyone there.
They're all freaks.
I can't do this on my own.
What?
You've got some shit all over your face.
Yeah, I know.
Okay, so what about in the circumstances in
which there's only one active parent involved?
So you're saying I need two signatures?
It's pretty much not like this.
Yeah.
But there aren't two parents.
Mom?
Yeah, just a second, honey.
I'll be right there.
So would you need proof if he's dead?
Can we just have one?
Mom, who's dead?
Because, you know, who knows?
He maybe is...
dead.
His name is Cliff Walker.
I've tried.
I went to the DSN.
I have an old address and number.
I have...
We haven't spoken in years.
And, uh, you know, he's just not a
part of our lives or this decision.
I really don't understand why people have secret
conversations in the bathroom.
It's the most echoey room in the house.
You know what?
I'm going to get back to you.
You've been so helpful.
Thank you very much.
Are you waiting for the bathroom?
Who are you talking to?
Who's dead?
Nobody.
But that girl can dream.
Mags pats Ray's head as she walks off.
Nighttime.
Mags?
You up there?
Mags, are you up there?
In her mother's townhouse, Mags paints cartoon animals.
Dodo steps into the room doorway.
Can you knock occasionally?
Hiding under my roof is not going to
solve anything.
You still live with your mother.
Please, Mom.
I have a deadline.
Something's got to change.
Things are changing.
A lot of shit is changing.
Did you sign the forms?
No.
Having second thoughts?
No.
Yes.
I don't know.
She's 16.
God.
And I don't know anything about boys or
men.
It's not like I had any role models.
You had me.
Whatever happens...
I don't want a boyfriend.
Wow, you're too old to use that word
anyway.
You know what, Mags?
It's time.
Live a little.
Mag sits up on the edge of the
bed and picks up her pants.
What's it like having a penis?
What?
Is it great or, uh...
Blah, not great.
Uh, it's great.
Yeah, it's...
Yeah, it's...
It's great.
You don't wish...
It was, uh...
It was...
It was more organised or contained.
I don't mean do you wish you had
a vagina.
I just mean the penis itself.
Do you wish it was more...
Um...
Neat?
Or...
In there?
In there?
Yeah, like put away.
Nope.
Oh.
Okay.
Do you?
No.
But I also don't really want one.
Yours is...
Yours is fine.
It's good.
Yours is good.
But not for me.
To keep.
You know, I really should go.
Thanks for having me.
I...
Are you okay?
♪♪ ♪♪ His youthful face glistens with sweat,
and he does bicep curls.
Inside, Mag sits at the bottom of a
spiral staircase.
She eats ice cream as Dodo organises things
atop the piano.
Do you think I can fake the signature?
Will they even check?
It just doesn't taste like coconut.
It's vanilla almond.
Then why are there coconuts all over the
container?
Because it's made with coconut milk.
It's better for you.
I don't want better for me.
I'm miserable.
Look, I think you're afraid of finding Craig.
He just might be on board with this.
If you're not going to comfort people with
words, you should keep real ice cream in
the house.
All I'm saying is, maybe you really don't
want him to sign it, because if he
signs it, then you're going to have to
sign the papers.
Stop trying to turn your views into my
views.
I'm not.
I'm just saying they're not that...
different.
They might be similar.
No, they're not.
They're not that different.
They're very different.
About this, about Ray, and about what is
and what is not ice cream.
Still ate it.
I'm actually pretty excited, because I gained five
pounds these past two weeks.
And yeah, I mean, I'm also excited about
how my chest is building up.
I think it looks pretty good.
No more Ace bandages.
Got it.
I'm counting down the weeks until I start
T.
Today is a good day.
Ten weeks.
And nine.
In the park, young people do tricks on
their boards.
Ray notices a smiling, wavy-haired girl who
sits on the sidelines.
He gazes at her.
Lola Johnson.
His friends from school sit near him.
She is pretty as hell.
Definitely a virgin.
How can you tell?
It's obvious.
I could do that if I wanted to.
I'd never go out with her.
She'd like me.
I know that for sure.
It's like you have a clue.
Me?
I'm blessed.
She'll like big dudes.
Ray looks away, his smile fading.
On a city sidewalk, he marches with his
hands plunged in his pockets.
A video clip shows Ray walking with the
wavy-haired girl, Lola.
At home, he uses editing software to arrange
clips of Lola and of himself gazing at
his reflection.
Wearing headphones, he bobs his head as he
taps on the small keyboard of an audio
sampler.
Always He touches his throat.
Be by yourself Ray?
His mom walks in.
How was your day?
And your girl?
What?
I said, how was your day?
Kind of depends on whether or not you
signed the papers.
Oh.
Can we talk about it later?
Just because you're the parent doesn't mean that
you get to decide when we can talk
about things.
Well, actually, it does because I'm the only
parent and I'm dealing with this shit for
two.
So I'm shit now.
Oh, please, Ray, come on.
You know that's not what I meant.
No, it's fine.
Because that's how I feel.
I feel like shit.
Or worse than shit.
I get to swear if I'm having a
shitty day.
You're the kid.
You get to take it out on the
parent if you're having a shitty day.
And you're doing a pretty great job without
it.
I'm not having a shitty day, Mom.
I'm having a shitty existence.
Come on, Ray.
Are you having second thoughts?
We agreed to take this slow.
What can I do to make it better?
Tell me.
I'm sorry.
I don't want you to be proud of
me.
Where are you going?
Ray?
Ray?
Oh, my baby.
What a sweetheart.
But to think that I spent my whole
life working so women could have control over
their bodies and now I have to call
my granddaughter He.
There are some fascinating glimpses show the pink
railings of the footbridge and a painted blue
wall.
The images give way to yellow lane dividers
on a road.
Now a roving view shows graffiti in an
alley.
Ray.
A boy with a group of girls approaches.
Let me talk to you for a second.
Hey, just leave him alone.
C'mon girl.
He blocks Ray's path.
So we have to have different albums for
everything.
Yeah, it helps to distinguish the Ray days
from the Ramona days.
How about pink for before she defected?
It didn't defect.
I'm ignoring you.
Let's just do public albums.
Blue.
And private albums.
Oh, private albums, blue.
No.
Private albums, pink.
Public albums, blue.
A photo shows two men and young Ray.
Oh, this is a very private one.
Look at that.
You used to have a lot of boyfriends
sometimes all at the same time.
You can't make jokes out of my mistakes.
That's exactly what you're supposed to do with
mistakes.
Your own mistakes.
You make jokes out of your own mistakes.
Like, remember the time you thought you were
straight and you married my father?
Hilarious.
I never thought I was straight.
I was just pretending.
Near buildings, Ray sits on a long concrete
bench.
I don't think you should jeopardise Ray's circumstances
just because you're afraid to face your own
demons.
I went to the DSS.
That's about the same as going to see
Craig.
Checking his injury in a mirror, he wipes
tears from his eyes.
He enters the piano room.
Do you have any ice?
Is that a black eye?
Oh, my God.
Here, sit down, sit down.
Are you okay?
Yeah, are you okay?
What happened?
Here, you can have my ice.
Oh, I swallowed it.
I'm sorry.
Aren't you supposed to use steak?
What do you mean I want to eat
red meat?
Ice cream.
Get the ice cream.
I ate it all.
I thought you hated that.
Peas.
I think you can use frozen peas.
Who eats frozen peas anymore?
Wow, good shiner.
I haven't been this close to a black
eye in years.
Mags puts raw poultry on his eye.
Oh, well.
Oh, my God, it isn't.
See this little...
And that's not chicken, that's corniche.
Exactly, this little wing is in her eye.
Are you in pain?
Can you see?
Yeah, no, I'm fine.
It's okay?
It was just some kids.
They wanted my phone.
Oh, my God, you were mugged?
No, Mom, it was some school kids.
From your school?
No, a school, but, like, kids, okay?
Will you guys keep it together?
Come on.
But there's a can on it.
Careful not to get the rosemary in your
eye.
Why?
Is it bad for you?
No, it's just pointy.
Did they get it?
All right, that's my gal.
I lost my shoe.
Oh, no.
Was that dinner?
That was dinner.
This really makes me not want to be
seen with you.
Well, that only makes me want to be
sure you're seen.
Can we just go home?
Cities don't get dark.
Yeah, well, this isn't for seeing, it's for
hitting in case those kids come back.
Well, those are the kids you're sending her
to school with.
Yeah, well, you sent me to public school.
That was before the sexualisation of everything.
For a lesbian, you're pretty judgemental.
Well, having sex with women doesn't mean you're
open-minded, it just means you're happy.
I don't know why you had to come.
This is worse than the part of the
night when I got punched.
Is that it?
Where?
Right there.
Yep.
That's it.
How do we do this?
There.
Okay.
Can we just go home?
Mom!
Oh!
Move, move, Mom.
I got this.
The ladder slides down.
Dodo climbs it.
Hold this.
I got it.
What are you doing, Mom?
I'm getting the shoe.
I really don't think it's legal to climb
that.
Mom, I can see a stranger's fire escape.
Well, I don't think it's legal to steal
someone's shoe.
Are you okay, Mom?
Yeah.
Can you see?
Yes.
We got this.
She's amazing.
No, no, no.
See, my granddaughter, she got mugged, and they
took her shoe.
Go watch television or something.
It's fine.
When I was little, my mom always wanted
me to be princess.
Yo, Ray!
Hey, you a girl or a boy, huh?
Show me your dick, girl.
Oh!
Where you running to, faggot?
When I was little, my mom always wanted
me to be princess or Cinderella, but I
wanted to be a race car driver or
an astronaut or a cowboy.
In Ray's room, a strip of light shines
on the numbers, letters, and phrases painted in
black on the wall.
Ray sleeps in bed.
More light shines in as Mags enters.
She crawls beside her son.
She covers him with the blanket and strokes
his hair.
Settling in, she drapes an arm over him
and shuts her eyes.
In her own bedroom, Mags stares distantly, then
drops her gaze.
Later, she walks into a car rental shop.
She drives a hatchback across a bridge away
from the city.
On a balcony, Dodo smokes, her feet propped
on the railing.
She wears a shawl draped around her shoulders,
and a light breeze rustles her hair.
Franny joins her, and Dodo stubs out her
cigarette.
I thought you'd given up.
I won ten bucks.
My lucky day.
Well, dinner's on you, then.
Did you have the talk?
Not yet.
You want me to?
I will.
You just open your mouth, and words come
out, and things are said, and it's over.
I will.
I will.
I just, she was in a mood.
I didn't want to do it.
She was in a mood.
She's always in a mood.
We all are.
I'm never in a mood.
No.
You're just difficult.
His.
He.
Him.
Me.
Boy.
I want to be her boyfriend.
He watches video clips of himself, Lola, and
his friends.
A painted phrase on his wall reads, Pray
for love, for enough time, for energy and
stamina.
Ray zips up his backpack.
He checks his bruised eye, then smiles.
At school, Lola approaches him.
Hey, Ray.
Heard you got into a fight.
It wasn't a big deal.
Was it a guy who hit you?
A couple of guys.
Well, I think you're really brave.
You'd be lame beating up on a girl,
right?
Well, I got class.
I'll see you later.
Mags cautiously approaches, peering through the window as
she rings the bell.
A dark-haired woman carrying a baby slides
open the door.
I think I have the wrong house.
Can I help you?
I, uh...
Well, actually, I was looking for someone.
Does he live here?
Does Craig Walker live here?
Are you, like, a lawyer or something?
No.
No.
Who are you?
Uh, I'm Cynda Walker.
Mags' mouth hangs open.
In a kitchen, she fidgets with a child's
toy.
A man faces her.
A boy?
Yes, a boy.
For how long?
Years.
Five, six years.
It's gotten more intense as he's grown into
himself, into a person, an articulate person.
Craig puts a water pitcher back in the
fridge.
Well, what if it gets better?
Well, it's not a thing that gets better
because it's not bad.
It just is.
You know, we've been through therapy together on
this.
Years of therapy.
I've talked to a million people.
Doctors?
Yes, of course, doctors.
You know, she never wore dresses.
You said it didn't matter.
This isn't about wearing dresses.
It's not a choice.
It's not a whim.
Ray sees himself.
His vagina is just not a part of
him.
It's like a mean trick.
There are risks.
There are serious risks.
I know.
She may not be able to get pregnant.
What if she changes her mind?
What if he commits suicide?
They lock eyes.
This is a lot.
I mean, you know.
Look, you want me to sign it?
Is there a pamphlet or something for Christ's
sake?
Yes, there's a pamphlet.
Hundreds of pamphlets and websites and support groups
and message boards.
I want to be informed.
Well, it's too late to be informed.
I didn't come here to just catch you
up on the last ten years of his
life.
I don't know how you think I'm supposed
to know what to do here.
You don't have to know.
This is just a bullshit formality because you
were named on the birth certificate.
My being named on the birth certificate means
I have certain rights.
And I have the right to make an
informed choice.
No, I'm making the informed choice.
You don't ever get to make an informed
decision because you weren't there.
You weren't there for the school meetings, for
the tantrums, for the birthdays, the skin knees,
the discovery of sarcasm or anything else.
I'm taking Zoe to the yard.
Okay.
Look, there is no Ramona anymore.
It's just Ray.
Now, I went through losing my daughter all
by myself and I will be raising my
son exactly the same by myself.
So if you could just please...
Why weren't we together?
Just ask yourself why.
Why?
I didn't come here to talk about us.
Nobody cares about us.
You've certainly moved on and I definitely think
Simba doesn't care about us.
Simba.
Simba.
She's definitely moved on and so is your
adorable baby.
You can't just show up at my house,
infringe on my family, and expect me to
do something I don't even know if I
agree with.
You're right.
You shouldn't have come here.
I should have just faked your death certificate.
Sign it myself.
She drives away.
The balled up form sits in the otherwise
empty back seat.
It rolls from one side of the car
to the other and then back again.
It finally comes to rest in the seat
behind the driver.
Shadows of vehicles streak around the top corner
of a building.
The townhouse front door opens.
We peer down the winding stairwell as Mags
ascends.
She leans against the railing for support.
She struggles.
She trudges through an open doorway and up
more steps.
Arriving at the top, she crawls across the
floor and collapses on her belly.
A garden hose lies beneath her.
Stretching into the kitchen, the hose connects to
a faucet.
Carrying the other end of the hose, Dodo
comes downstairs.
Really?
You're asking me that when I'm on the
floor?
So, when is expected?
No, it's not what I expected, actually.
Well, it's what I expected.
I love this conversation.
You didn't really think it would go smoothly,
did you?
He didn't sign the papers and he has
a perfect baby girl and a pretty young
wife who's named after an elephant or something.
Well, you had a perfect baby girl.
Dodo?
There you are.
I've been at the U.N. all day,
arguing with a lot of men about female
circumcision.
Couldn't write it.
And look what they gave me.
What am I going to do with this?
I can't even re-gift it.
Oh, sorry.
I'd ask how it went, but you're lying
on the floor.
Thanks for asking.
Better mom.
Are you very upset we still love you?
She said that, right?
That we still love you.
Well, I hope so.
Of course, we want you here.
We want you...
We want you to come over all the
time.
Where else would I be?
Oh.
Oh, I don't know.
Wherever you go when you're not here.
You know?
I didn't have the conversation because she was
on the floor.
How am I to know she wasn't on
the floor because of the talk?
What talk?
We have to talk.
Okay.
So, uh...
We were thinking, since Ray's going to public
school next year...
Which is definitely happening, right?
And you won't be paying all that artsy
-fartsy tuition...
We don't mean artsy-fartsy in a bad
way.
All right, I'm going to handle this, okay?
That maybe you could redirect some of those
funds...
To your own apartment.
Not attached to your mother's apartment.
No.
You're breaking up with me?
Now?
No.
No, no, no.
We're breaking out.
Out, out into the world.
You're breaking up with me.
Sweetie, it's time.
So who's going to take care of you
when you're old?
We're going to pay someone.
That's really selfish.
You know, I've been going to this same
deli since I was ten.
There is one that's closer, but I like
this one.
The guy there always says, Thank you, little
man.
Mom!
Mom!
Are you watching Chaz Bono videos again?
No.
Ray, not now, Mom.
He enters his room.
Our view slowly lowers from the sky to
the rooftop, where Ray works out using a
dumbbell.
He wears a knit cap, a tank top,
and shorts.
The teenager lifts the dumbbell behind his head,
grimacing as he works his triceps.
Inside, Mags lounges in a chair, her gaze
distant.
She holds a book titled Transgender Child.
Ray struggles to remove a compression sports bra.
He drops it on his bed and puts
on a tank top.
Walking through an open doorway, he joins his
mom in her room.
Mags looks at her phone.
Um...
Ray climbs onto the bed, and Mags sets
down her drink.
Okay, um...
Ray watches her intently as she shifts in
her armchair.
Dodo and Honey have asked us to move
out.
Really?
But it has nothing to do with anything.
They love you.
I want to live somewhere else.
Don't you?
I want to be with, like, different neighbours
and stuff.
Neighbours that, like, wouldn't have met me when
I was seven wearing a dress.
I want to start over.
I get to start tea.
I get to stop feeling like someone in
between.
We're doing it, Mom!
We're really doing it!
With a smile, Mags watches him jump on
the bed.
She throws a pillow, and Ray catches it
and throws it back.
In slow motion, the excited teen continues to
jump, smiling widely.
Mags' expression turns thoughtful as she watches him.
Daytime.
On a tree-lined road, a minivan pulls
to a stop.
Through the trees, we view Craig's large wood
-panelled house.
In the van, Mags folds the wrinkled medical
form.
Setting it down, she looks ahead.
She starts to get out of the car,
but stops and stares.
Up the road, a scruffy man joins Craig,
who gets out of the passenger side of
a walker-construction pickup truck.
Mags climbs back into the van.
The two men walk toward her.
Eyeing them, she puts on her seatbelt.
Her seat slowly reclines.
Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go,
go, go, go, go.
Go, go, go, go, go, go.
Oh, God!
Ducking down, she almost hits the scruffy man.
Hey, hey, hey, hey!
She passes.
Shit!
She hits the truck.
Oh!
Holy shit.
Are you serious?
Hey, hey!
Matthew!
Hey!
She drives off.
Hey!
In a vacant apartment.
Right when it's all coming together, bam, there
he is.
Just as I'm about to get the whole
thing signed, or not signed, but nearly signed,
and there he is.
Why?
Why was Matthew there?
Maybe because he was visiting his brother.
Yeah, well, obviously.
But, oh, God, the whole thing is just
so complicated.
Maybe it's happening for a reason.
But why does it have to take so
long?
I'm sorry.
I'm trying to show you around as efficiently
as possible.
You saw the kitchen appliances, yes?
It's just such a monumental decision.
Oh, God.
Honestly, I think Ray is the only good
decision I've ever made.
And if we go through with this, does
that make me the best mother on the
planet or the worst?
Do you remember we were going to name
him Cole if he was a boy?
And now she is a boy, and his
name is Ray, like a truck driver or
something?
I know a lot of Rays who are
not truck drivers.
What if he turns around one day with
a full beard and says, Mom, I made
a mistake?
At home, Mags paints.
Ray watches videos.
Wait, do we really have to do this
now, Ray?
Am I scared?
You were always fidgety, and everything was always
sticky or stuffy or itchy.
I said you're not coming out with us
until you put the dress on.
I thought you were a boy.
Dad wanted a boy, of course.
And then they said you were a girl.
I was surprised.
You were all boy.
I said stay in your room until you
put the dress on.
You took out your scissors, and you just
cut it up.
You'd cut the stupid dress to pieces.
Regrets?
Yeah, I have regrets.
There's been a problem with the papers.
Your father has to sign them.
Okay.
But he won't.
Why does he care?
He hasn't seen me since I was basically
a baby.
Make him sign it.
It's complicated.
Uncomplicated.
Okay, so Honey suggested that you emancipate yourself
from us.
Me and your father, I mean.
And that would mean that you get to
make all your own decisions.
And I'm not sure I'm ready for that.
Can you stop making my problems into your
problems?
I'm not starting a new school in this
body.
I'm just not.
Maybe they'd make an exception.
Maybe you could switch midyear.
I'm done with being an upset...
With a wearied expression, Mag slumps.
Ray's eyes glisten as his chin trembles.
A close view shows Ray's moving skateboard, then
his boots.
We follow close beside his face as he
glides ahead, the breeze rustling his red hair.
In his room, he buttons his flannel shirt.
A view of the neighbouring roof pulls back
through Ray's window.
The teenager runs hair clippers over the top
of his head.
A lock of red hair falls onto the
counter.
A small mirror sits near the window in
front of Ray.
The teen runs a hand over his shorter
hair and shakes his head.
A close view shows loose strands dotting his
brow.
Ray stares ahead intently.
Later, he enters Mag's bedroom and steps to
the cluttered work table.
He runs a hand through his shortened hair
as he flips through an address book.
Ray pulls out his phone and holds it
over a page.
Searching a stack of papers, he finds the
wrinkled medical form.
He folds it up and sticks it in
his pocket.
Gazing off, he smiles faintly.
A roving view passes a rural parking lot
filled with cars and school buses.
Ray leans his head against a train window.
Later, he steps to the doors.
On a road, a close view shows his
yellow boots as he walks.
He blows a gum bubble as he faces
Craig's house.
Rocking their baby, Cynda stands at the large
windows.
Ray approaches the door as a boy opens
it.
Hi.
Does...
I'm looking for Craig Walker.
Mom, it's for Craig Walker.
That's Daddy Bug.
Who is it?
Who is it?
Can I help you?
Ray hesitates to speak.
Oop.
It's Ramona.
Ramona?
Ray, actually.
Uh, come on in.
Come on in.
Come on in.
Come on in.
What is it?
He looks out a large window.
Cynda, this is Ramona.
Ray.
Cynda sits with the boy and a girl.
Hi.
It's nice to meet you.
Uh, I've heard a lot about you.
I doubt it, but that's nice of you
to say.
Here.
They enter a large living room with windowed
walls and a view of the woods.
Ray looks around with an unsmiling expression then
sets his backpack on a sofa.
So I have siblings.
Sort of.
Half-siblings, whatever.
Yeah, they're great kids.
But it would have been nice to know.
So just in case you do that again,
like leave your family and start a new
one, you should tell this family about the
old one.
I didn't leave my family.
I feel pretty left.
I didn't leave you guys.
It sort of just...
Uh, dissolved.
Fine.
So if this family dissolves and another one
solidifies, you should...
I didn't come here to talk about this.
I don't know what your mom told you.
I really don't want to talk about Mom
with you.
Well, does she know that you're here?
Yeah.
I was like, Hey, Mom, I'm gonna skip
school to confront my deadbeat dad.
I think you should call her and tell
her you're here.
I'll think about it.
Well, look, I gotta get back to the
office.
I only come here for lunch.
Well, you should tell them that you're gonna
be late or stuck or whatever.
Okay.
Hey, it's me.
One of my kids is sick, so I'm
not gonna be able to make it to
the office today.
Yeah.
Okay.
Thank you.
I'm not sick.
Hey, Mom, is Ray down there?
Oh, well, okay.
He must be at Taylor's or something.
Yeah, he probably did, but my phone was
dead.
Mom, stop!
Uh, are you gonna stay for dinner?
I don't know who to ask that to.
Hmm...
Hi, Ms. Bennett, this is Sandy at the
Freeman School.
Just checking in because Ray's not in today.
I got a call that Ray wasn't in
school today.
Well, it was dead.
Why didn't you call my landline?
Yes, I have a landline.
I'm sorry if you're this way because of
me.
Are you this way because of me?
Ray sits up.
I'm a lot of things because of you.
This isn't one of them.
Sorry.
At home.
If he finds him, he needs to tell
me where everyone is grounded.
You don't believe in grounding.
Do you believe in missing children?
She's not missing.
She's just not here.
Hello?
Oh!
Oh, my God.
Oh, thank God.
Tell him I'll be right there, and I
will, uh...
How's it, Craig?
Okay, great.
I'll be right there.
He's in Pleasantville.
I don't want to be the one that
says, I told you so, but...
You didn't tell me so.
Well, I meant to.
Let's take the Rambler.
I'm surprised he even recognised Ray.
Why have I been renting cars all this
time?
Oh, we're definitely going.
No, you're not.
I don't think this is the radio time.
Why not?
Because it's not a road trip.
It's a mission, and I'm freaking out.
Please, Mom, stop.
I've never been in the back seat of
this car before.
There are six ashtrays.
Do you have your seatbelts on?
There aren't any back seats.
How did we used to put Ray's car
seat back there?
We'd rig it with a rope.
Sit back, please.
Tie yourself down with the rope.
We should get the suspension down.
Oh, you know, there might be a helmet
back there, too, that we used to put
on Maggie when we would take long drives.
That's ridiculous.
You know, the helmet was my idea.
Really?
Most parents, we just throw their kids in
the back, and they would bounce around like
laundry, but not me.
I got the helmet.
Safety first.
I think I have to find a bathroom.
In Craig's house, the little girl stares at
Ray as they sit at a dining table.
He wears a solemn expression.
Ray glances at the girl.
Craig serves himself food.
Are you friends with our dad?
Not really.
Are you friends with our mom?
No.
Cinda glances at Ray, then drops her gaze.
Craig looks between the two younger children.
A long time ago, I had a, um,
I had a different family.
I wasn't married.
But, uh, I had a kid.
That kid is Ray.
Craig locks eyes with the teenager, who looks
away.
So you like our brother?
Ray grins, then nods slowly.
Yeah.
Sort of.
His smile briefly fades.
Yeah.
Why sort of?
Because I was born in a girl's body.
But you're a boy.
Ray nods.
Can they fix it?
Mostly.
I'm a girl in a girl's body.
I think.
That's good.
You're lucky.
Thank you.
You're both lucky.
In the Rambler, I think she's rushing into
it.
Mom, not now.
Max turns into a gas station.
Don't you, a little bit, feel like it's
rushed?
Ugh.
They park beside a gas pump.
Dare I use the restroom here?
What's the alternative?
You always ask the difficult questions.
Hey, will you come stand a guard, just
in case there's any truck stop nonsense?
It might not have a lot.
We don't have time for this, Mom.
Okay, I'll keep standing up.
I may not be married to her, but
I'm married to her neuroses.
It's a lose-lose.
Mag shakes her head as she pumps gas.
She glances across the lot at Franny, who
stands with her arms crossed near a sign
reading, Toilet.
Mags looks off thoughtfully.
She quickly replaces the gas pump and climbs
into the car.
Sorry, Moms.
I'm breaking out with you.
Mags?
Maggie?
Mags drives off.
Mags, what the?
Hey, come back!
Dodo whistles.
This is not funny.
She's not funny.
Did I say something again?
Is that the problem?
At dusk, Mags turns on the rambler's headlights
as she drives.
At his house, Craig sits with the little
boy at the dinner table.
Cinda feeds the infant.
Can I have a friend over?
I promise you, it's not a friend.
Craig opens the door for Mags.
Maggie?
Nice to see you.
Ray?
Ray stands in the kitchen.
Is he okay?
Mags enters the dining room.
Oh, I didn't realise you had company.
No, these are our older kids.
This is Mia and Cole, and you remember
Zoe?
You have three kids named Cole?
No, they're not all named Cole.
Four.
Well, if she's asking me, it's three.
Yeah, I have three kids.
Four.
Ray enters with a plate of food.
Oh, my God.
I cut it.
The teen sits.
Do you want to get that to go,
honey?
I'm not leaving until he agrees to sign
the papers.
Well, the thing is, your mother hasn't signed
them either.
Where are they?
Give me the papers.
Something's happening.
All right, everybody.
All right, come on.
Can I have a pen?
He searches through a kitchen drawer.
He pulls out a pen and sets it
on the counter.
Mags takes it and flattens the medical treatment
papers.
What's the date?
This is insane.
Jesus.
I didn't do anything.
She just showed up.
He.
He.
Sorry.
He.
Mags clenches her eyes shut as a tear
falls down her face.
She promised that she'd never do that.
She promised she'd never do shit for him.
She wipes her eyes.
All I did was tell you that Ramona,
that Ray, was here, okay?
You're welcome.
No, no, no, don't you're welcome me.
You can't suddenly decide you have rights after
100 years of radio silence.
No, Maggie, your fault was that.
Yours.
Mine.
Yeah, yours.
You slept with...
So the kind of girlfriend I was should
have no bearing on what kind of parents
you decided to make.
Don't use the word girlfriend like it takes
some weight off your ass.
You slept with my brother.
You slept with Uncle what's-his-name?
Matthew.
Uncle Matthew.
You slept with Uncle Matthew?
Did you say Matthew?
Mom!
Oh, my God.
Um...
Unbelievable.
Can you go to your room?
Someone's room.
Just go to someone's room.
Thanks a lot.
The damage you did to my family?
I didn't speak to my brother for years!
The freaking earthquake!
Blaming me doesn't change the fact that we
both asked off.
I did everything I possibly could, Maggie.
I know.
I didn't miss a single...
I did my best.
You think that was your best being gone
for ten years?
She's not gone, for Christ's sakes.
I took her to lunches and...
One museum.
You haven't seen her, him, since...
I have been more present than most guys
would have been in my position.
And what position is that?
Being busy with your other kids?
The position of not actually being her father.
His father!
His father!
Ah!
Ah!
Ah!
Stop!
Stop!
Stop!
Stop!
You ruined it!
You ruined it!
Stop!
Stop it!
Ah!
You ruined it!
You ruined it!
It's never gonna happen!
It's never gonna happen!
I'm sorry.
Did you guys know that Uncle Matthew is
my real dad?
Great.
Okay.
Let's go.
My whole life, I've searched my body for
scars.
Because I know a part of me is
missing.
Everyone assumes that who I am is connected
to who they thought I was when I
was born.
They're wrong.
When did I know I was definitely a
boy?
When did I know I was definitely a
boy?
Since I was four.
Since I was four.
Okay.
Um, I'm not gonna interfere anymore.
I don't wanna get left a bit.
Gas station again, as it were.
She's apologising.
I'm apologising.
We both are.
We shouldn't have come.
Well...
I still need the father's consent.
Oh, wow, that's amazing, considering that Ray's got
two dads now.
I mean, sorry.
I made that slip down.
Well, it didn't.
That's two more fathers than you ever had.
That's not true.
And two more than Mag's ever had.
I mean, there's, like, dads coming out of
the womb everywhere.
I will love him.
I will.
He's my grandson.
You do it.
In his bathroom, Ray looks at a small
mirror.
He gently runs a razor above his lips.
Mag's enters his bedroom, and Ray scowls at
her through the doorway.
You don't have to talk to me.
I know you're angry, and you have a
right to be.
I fucked up.
I know that.
So I'm not interested.
Ray, I love you.
I need to go to bed.
You're the reason I don't have a dad.
I'm doing my best.
Please.
Mom.
It's gonna be different.
A lot needs to be different before I
can come here.
I know, but Craig is still your dad.
In the bleachers, Mag's rubs her son's shoulder
and nods to herself.
Ray eyes her, then looks away.
I want to emancipate myself from all of
you.
It's not the way to go.
Anyway, it's not that easy.
If it was easy, Mom, most kids would
be doing it.
You must really hate whoever gave you that
present.
It's a dead mouse.
Can I come in?
Across the counter, Matthew watches her.
Mags eyes him, and he shifts his weight.
I'm not talking first.
She sets down the lighter.
I hate your brother.
Okay.
I hate him for everything he's done or
not done, but I hate him especially now
for talking to you.
Okay.
And I hate you, too.
Okay.
For coming here.
Okay.
And for saying okay over and over again,
which is worse than not saying anything at
all.
All right.
And I hate myself, in case anyone's wondering.
So don't feel especially special or anything.
I don't.
Good.
He steps closer to her.
She looks away.
You were, though.
Used to be.
Leaning back against the island, Matthew nods, then
shakes his head and looks off.
I wish you'd chose me.
They lock eyes.
Mags drops her gaze.
Would you have chosen us?
I'd like to think so.
I'd rather not think so.
Otherwise, I don't know how...
I don't know.
So tell me you wouldn't have.
I wouldn't have.
Just tell me you wouldn't have.
I wouldn't have.
Good.
Can you...
They creep into the dining room.
Both women peer up at the ceiling.
I don't hear any slamming.
In the kitchen, Matthew looks at Mags, who
averts her gaze.
I could have been there for him.
Ray descends the stairs with a friend and
spots Matthew.
Um, you remember...
Uncle Matthew.
Can you say Matthew?
Matthew.
Did you see what Jenny Schwartz was wearing
today?
Shut up.
Why?
I loved her.
I don't love her.
I'd hit that, but I don't love her.
Language.
Hit that?
I hate that.
Hey, Mrs. Ray's mom.
Hey, Jesse.
Taylor.
Spoon.
Is that your dad?
I don't have a dad.
He's a good kid.
Oh, shit.
Um, I'll...
I'll talk to you.
Come on in.
Matthew.
Matthew, Matthew.
I don't remember.
Do you drink?
No, yeah, not...
not this early.
Thanks.
We didn't ask you over to have a
drink.
He's gotten a little thick around the middle.
Well, so have we.
Oh, no, it's just a support brace.
I mean, I probably am a little thicker
around the middle, but there's also...
Yeah, we don't need to see your bra.
What we want to know is what you're
doing back in the picture, and if you
really know what you're getting into.
Do you really know what you're getting into?
No, I...
I don't.
Good answer.
That is a good answer.
I'm on the phone.
No, that's your mother.
I'm on the phone.
Look, what about my stuff?
Well, take it easy on her.
You never take it easy on me.
Ray.
Ray.
Look, sometimes I'm wrong.
Not often, but sometimes, and I thought you
were too young to know what you wanted,
but you do know, and I was just
afraid.
And now I realise that, well, who you
are and who I love is staying the
same, and everything that's changing is just details.
What are you saying?
I'm saying that it's about time that we
had a man in this family.
Want to listen to a new beat I
made from an old jazz sample?
Yeah.
Smiling, they continue down the sidewalk together.
In the townhouse, Ray gazes out a window.
Outside, Craig sits on the front stoop, thumbing
his phone.
Mags approaches and stares at him.
I had a conference in the city.
And?
And I thought I'd stop by and lay
some heavy shit on you.
You ever heard of that?
You need a better opener.
I came to apologise.
Thank you.
Across the street, Matthew steps out of his
pickup truck.
He approaches, and Craig knits his brow.
I didn't realise I'd be interrupting anything.
It's not anything.
I mean, it's something.
Well, he certainly wasn't invited.
It's just...
You called Matthew and told him, and now
he's here, and we're all just...
Maggie, he didn't tell me anything.
I did tell him.
I told you.
I told you.
I told you.
Your affair with my wife...
Girlfriend.
Makes you Ramona's father, but she's still my
daughter.
Son!
Shit.
I...
I want to be involved.
I'm not going away.
I want to be here.
He's not interested.
I didn't come here for you.
I came here for Ray.
Maggie told me that Ray told him that
he doesn't have a father.
He doesn't have a father.
Inside, Ray steps away from the window.
A close view scans over coloured pencils, paintbrushes,
and art supplies.
A sketchbook shows a painting of a cartoon
bear.
Ray enters.
I thought you were at Taylor's.
What was going on out there?
He was being a douche.
Jerk.
He opens up an envelope.
She holds it out to Ray.
The red-haired teenager eyes her as he
takes it.
Mags watches her son as he unfolds the
medical form.
His chin trembles.
Mags reaches over to him.
Looking at his mother, Ray nods and grins
widely.
This blue ink ran out.
Ray grins at his mother, then stares at
the form.
His chin quivers.
At night, he turns a dial on a
piece of audio equipment, then flips a switch.
He hits a button.
Ray dances wildly, bobbing his head from side
to side.
He jumps around his tiny bedroom, waving his
arms and legs.
He pumps his fists in the air and
grins.
Ray!
Ray!
Ray!
Can you turn it down a little, please?
Sure.
I didn't know you were home.
Do you always play it this loud when
I'm not home?
Only when I'm really, really, really happy.
It's really hot in here.
I wear a lot of shit.
I'd like to know all those people.
Like Dad and Matthew, or Dad Matthew, or
whatever.
Oh.
Okay.
And Cinda and those kids.
We can take it at your pace.
Let's talk about Ray.
Okay, now I'm going to show you how
to use this, right?
It's not very complicated.
Can I take this?
What?
Oh.
Do you mind?
Yeah.
All right.
See you then.
You're welcome.
Lay out things that you need to know
when administering testosterone.
A couple of do's and don'ts.
Right, Ray?
♪♪♪
♪♪♪
♪♪♪ They spot Craig's family sitting
at a table behind a partition.
Ray nods.
He walks away.
In a bathroom, he steps to a mirror
and takes off his hat.
Franny and Dodo join Mags.
It was cold.
They kiss her cheeks.
Everybody's there, huh?
What do you think?
Saki.
Let's do it.
Okay, I'll be right there.
He grabs a towel from a hook and
dries himself.
In the dining room, Franny and Dodo join
Craig's family.
Mags watches.
Ray returns, talking briefly to his mom as
he passes.
He approaches the table and beams at Craig.
They hug.
Still watching from a distance, Mags smiles faintly.
A hostess takes her coat.
Craig talks with Ray.
Mags gazes at the group, her eyes glistening.
Ray chats with Matthew.
Fixing her hair and sweeping her bangs to
the side, Mags approaches the table.
Ray takes a video of her with his
cell phone.
Craig stands.
Sitting between Craig and Ray, Mags looks at
her son, who keeps the phone aimed.
She pushes it down.
My name is Cole.
I like the name Cole.
Ray records his mom with the phone.
Sweetheart, will you please put that down?
I'm proud of you.
Mags mouths, I'm proud of you.
Ray grins and she rubs his back.
Mags beams at her smiling son.
Cut to black.
Remaining opening titles.
Radius TWC Presents Big Beach Presents A Big
Beach Production An in-film production Naomi Watts
Elle Fanning And Susan Sarandon And credits appear.
Directed by Gabby Dalal Written by Nicole Beckwith
and Gabby Dalal Produced by Dorothy Berwin, PGA
Gabby Dalal, PGA Produced by Mark Turtletaub, PGA
And Peter Sarraf, PGA Executive Producers Naomi Watts
Peter Pastorelli Executive Producers Lea Holzer Danielle Malia
Executive Producers Bob Weinstein Harvey Weinstein Director of
Photography David Johnson, BSC Production Designer Stephanie Carroll
Edited by Jeff Bettencourt Joe Landauer Costume Designer
Arjun Basin Music by Wes Dillon Thordson Music
Supervisors Sue Jacobs Joe Rudge Casting by Douglas
Abel and Stephanie Holbrook Tate Donovan Linda Eman
Sam Trammell Jordan Carlos Maria Dizia Credits Roll
Line Producer Marshall Johnson Production Supervisor Kurt Enger
First Assistant Director Ina Broud Second Assistant Director
Anne-Marie Dentisi Co-Producers Caroline Orr Simon
White Elle Fanning as Ray Linda Eman as
Frances Susan Sarandon as Dolly Naomi Watts as
Maggie Andrew Polk as Dr. Brillstein Marcos A.
Gonzalez as John the Doorman Antonio Ortiz as
Taylor Tessa Albertson as Spoon Marquis Rodriguez as
Jesse Gamila Wright as DSS Worker Jordan Carlos
as Jake Elle Winter as Lola Johnson Luca
De Oliveira as Boyan Alley Francesca Keller as
Girlan Alley Jin S.
Kim as Man on Fire Escape Maria Dizia
as Cinda Tate Donovan as Craig Sam Trammell
as Matthew Susan Blackwell as Real Estate Agent
Max Simkins as Cole Matea Maria Conforti as
Mia Stunt Coordinator Manny Severio Stunt Skateboarder Leo
Gutman Ray, Dolly Stunt Double Abby Nelson Maggie
Stunt Double Stephanie Finocchio Art Director Meredith Lippincott
Art Department Coordinator Melissa B.
Miller Clearances Maryann Barthelemy Art Production Assistant Richard
Lieberman Art Department Assistant Samudrika Arora A-Camera
Steadicam Operator David Eisern B-Camera Operator Michael
Fuchs iPhone Camera Operator Alan Gastelum First Assistant
Camera Stephen McBride Second Assistant Camera Jameson Henson
B-Camera First Assistant Camera Jenny Gedry B
-Camera Second Assistant Camera Bobby Arnold Additional B
-Camera Assistant Cameras Carolyn Pender Corey Gegner DIT
Guillermo Tunion Loader Kate Kennedy Still Photographers Sarah
Schatz Walter Thompson Gaffer Nina Kuhn Best Boy
Electric Meg Schrock Electrician Lydia Sudol Additional Electric
Blaine Chow Key Grip Glenn Engels Best Boy
Grip Pat Barker Dolly Grip Charlie Johnston Additional
Grips Rob Sudano Glenn Engels III Property Master
Matthew Marks Assistant Property Master Brittany West Prop
Truck Driver Alicia McDaniel Songs On the Roof
Written by Stephen Warbeck Performed by Elle Fanning
I Wanna Be Your Everything Written by Winfred
Lovett Performed by Elle Fanning Needles in the
Camel's Eye Written by Brian Eno and Phil
Manzanera Performed by Graze Fit In Written and
performed by K.T. Tunstall Big Beach Radius
TWC Copyright 2016 Big Beach, LLC All rights
reserved
2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)