3 Generations
Weinstein Company, The | Release Date: May 5, 2017 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
47
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 21 Critic Reviews
Positive:
2
Mixed:
17
Negative:
2
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
83
The Film StageJared MobarakMay 4, 2017
[Fanning’s] performance is what you’d expect and the character is too—strong, dedicated, and on the cusp of hopelessness. It’s because of this that Watts actually shines brighter. Read full review
75
ObserverRex ReedMay 9, 2017
The awkward results are too contrived for comfort. Read full review
60
We Got This Covered Darren RueckerMay 4, 2017
About Ray is not, in the end, a triumph, but is still good and necessary viewing for its subject matter. Read full review
60
Los Angeles TimesGary GoldsteinMay 4, 2017
When this well-acted picture calms down and focuses on real emotions, it proves a poignant, absorbing look at a modern family. Read full review
60
The New York TimesNeil GenzlingerMay 4, 2017
Ray is courageous just for making the decision to change sexes. The film — which, by the way, includes a surprising amount of droll humor — would be better if it trusted the audience to recognize this, rather than piling ordeals worthy of the Labors of Hercules onto its protagonist. Read full review
60
Screen DailyTim GriersonSep 14, 2015
Filled with feeling and led by heartfelt performances from Elle Fanning and Naomi Watts, the latest from director Gaby Dellal (Angels Crest) is a warm, rich film in many regards — and yet, there’s a nagging suspicion that, in the attempt to de-emphasise the hot-button topicality, About Ray isn’t ultimately about that much. Read full review
60
VarietyAndrew BarkerSep 13, 2015
Dellal’s likably chaotic direction and a bevy of solid performances make sure the film’s beating heart outweighs most of its contrivances. Read full review
55
TheWrapAlonso DuraldeMay 4, 2017
It’s a film that positively reeks of good intentions, but it’s so timid and tentative — the words “trans” and “transgender” are never uttered aloud — that it feels as hopelessly retro as casting a cisgender actress in the lead. Read full review
50
Washington PostAlan ZilbermanMay 11, 2017
The cumulative effect is closer to a didactic after-school special for troubled parents. Read full review
50
RogerEbert.comChristy LemireMay 5, 2017
Takes on the topic of gender dysphoria with a talented cast but not much to say. Read full review
50
Rolling StonePeter TraversMay 4, 2017
How do you screw this up? You've got three leading actresses – Susan Sarandon, Naomi Watts and Elle Fanning – who are usually worth watching in anything. But 3 Generations is pushing it. Even nurturing talent can't breathe life into a script that is completely D.O.A. Read full review
50
Entertainment WeeklyJoe McGovernMay 4, 2017
Director Gaby Dellal (On a Clear Day) admirably avoids the trap in which transgender characters are portrayed as victims, but she way overcranks the “movie” neuroses of her three characters, muffling any human spark. Read full review
50
New York Magazine (Vulture)Emily YoshidaMay 4, 2017
While 3 Generations certainly has some worthy explorations, it’s too vain not to sugarcoat itself, visually or otherwise. Read full review
50
The A.V. ClubJesse HassengerMay 3, 2017
There’s a kind of equality at work here: No one is well-served. Read full review
50
The PlaylistKevin JagernauthSep 14, 2015
Ultimately, Dellal’s film is never as brave or courageous as Ray, and in spending more time on Maggie than her son, misses the opportunity to jump from informational to insightful. Read full review
50
The Hollywood ReporterDavid RooneySep 13, 2015
It's involving but seldom deeply affecting, with the core drama continually shoved aside to examine more commonplace matters of parenting, abandonment and broken families. Read full review
40
Arizona RepublicBarbara VanDenburghMay 11, 2017
3 Generations feels focus-grouped into existence, like its every development was fine-tuned to be as inoffensively on-message as possible in its treatment of trans issues. That’s good for take-home pamphlets and afterschool specials, but deadly to dramas. Read full review
40
Village VoiceAlan ScherstuhlMay 3, 2017
It's not for nothing that generation and generic share a root; the characters scan as vague, of-their-age types, despite having each been dressed up with superficial quirks. Read full review
40
The GuardianBenjamin LeeSep 15, 2015
The script is sensitively handled and it’s unarguable that showcasing stories such as this is an important way of educating the masses about a difficult process. But while it’s hard to hate, it’s even harder to like. Read full review
38
Slant MagazineDerek SmithMay 3, 2017
The main character is too often pushed to the sidelines so that the filmmakers can indulge tired family-drama tropes. Read full review
25
San Francisco ChronicleDavid LewisMay 10, 2017
This is a movie that derives most of its suspense on whether a piece of paper will be signed, not a strong basis for dramatic tension. Here and there, we see moments of genuine emotion, but even then, it feels like we’ve been there, done that. Read full review
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