With all the chaos, fury and threatened boycott surrounding the trailer for the upcoming Stonewall drama (which is not a musical, despite the impression given by the production stills which make it look like a precursor to Rent), there’s another quieter queer-themed story that shouldn’t get lost in the shuffle. About Ray chronicles Ray, a teen played by the astonishingly gifted Elle Fanning, who realizes she’s transgender, but in a switch from the way these stories traditionally play out, Ray’s mother (Naomi Watts) is willing to sign the consent form allowing her to transition but is met with opposition from her lesbian grandmother (Susan Sarandon). Directed by Gaby Dellal, this has potential to be one of the year’s more compelling character studies.
Here’s the film’s official synopsis:
About Ray tells the stirring and touching story of three generations of a family living under one roof in New York as they must deal with the life-changing transformation by one that ultimately affects them all. Ray (Elle Fanning) is a teenager who has come to the realization that she isn’t meant to be a girl and has decided to transition from female to male. His single mother, Maggie (Naomi Watts), must track down Ray’s biological father (Tate Donovan) to get his legal consent to allow Ray’s transition. Dolly (Susan Sarandon), Ray’s lesbian grandmother is having a hard time accepting that she now has a grandson. They must each confront their own identities and learn to embrace change and their strength as a family in order to ultimately find acceptance and understanding.
About Ray is due in theaters September 8. Watch the trailer below.
https://youtu.be/2S8HVoWm9ec
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Peter McKinney
Here we go. “Only trans actors should play trans characters!”
Blah blah blah.
AtticusBennett
well, here’s reality – as more and more transgender people come out, the pool of transgender actors will grow.
for now, we have the gifted Fanning taking on a role, and lending her name and goodwill and belief in a film’s message to wider audiences.
there have been many many non-gay actors who have given tremendous performances as gay characters over the years. performances i have truly loved. but that doesn’t mean that i’m happy with that fact that actually-gay actors are so seldom cast in leading roles as gay characters. and it’s something that should be discussed – not just “box office” considerations, but WHY people would rather see a non-gay person “play a gay role” than see a gay person play a gay person.
Sam Raether
I’m so excited to see this, and I’m a trans man. Would I love it if we had a trans actor play the part instead? Definitely. But I’m just happy to see positive media exposure of trans people, especially trans men.
tricky ricky
@Peter McKinney: which generally only works if the character is a low rent on the street hooker.
Jane Cain
I’m probably Asexual but that doesn’t explain the way I feel. The Gay Community is the best place to be. So happy. So much love and acceptance. The rest of the world is full of bullies, meanest folks. World could learn how to get along from the LGBT community. So there…my choice of people. My friends. Love you all!
Lvng1Tor
@Sam Raether: I agree…but the first interviewer who calls her “Brave”for taking this role get’s slapped!
Jacob23
@Jane Cain: There’s no such thing as the “LGBT community,” but we welcome you as a friend and ally of the LGB community! If you stick around, you’ll see that, while there are issues and bones of contention which arise now and then, for the most part Ls, Gs and Bs get along very well. That is because we all share a common, innate and immutable characteristic, which binds us together as sisters and brothers. When you see nasty attacks and fighting, it will almost always involve an outside group, which has sought to occupy and colonize the LGB community. As has been seen throughout history, colonial occupation breeds hostility, which drives resistance, which eventually expels the occupier.
brucebruce836
@Jacob23: I’m very interested in learning more to why you left the T out of LGBT community.
Jacob23
@brucebruce836: I didn’t. There’s no such thing as an “LGBT community.”
Mykaels
Susan Sarandan playing a lesbian grandmother gives me life!
As for trans characters only being played by trans actors, fine. But then said actors cannot play non trans roles. Problem solved! Or is it…