When I moved Transamerica up in my Netflix queue, I had no idea that Caitlyn Jenner would debut on Vanity Fair’s cover. Timing is everything. Overall I liked Transamerica, but it was a far from perfect movie. Transamerica is about a transwoman who has to reunite with someone that she didn’t know existed at the worst possible time. Transamerica uses extremely conventional plot devices to tell two unconventional characters’ story.
I thought the acting was amazing by Felicity Huffman, Graham Greene, Carrie Preston and Elizabeth Pena. Felicity Huffman seems to transform onscreen from uptight to completely comfortable. Transamerica is at its best when Bree stops worrying and can be herself otherwise you feel as clenched as she is.
SPOILERS
Transamerica also did a great job of telling Toby’s abuse story. He suffers from the compulsion to repeat the trauma by exploiting himself. Transamerica also depicted subconscious genetic sexual attraction, which can occur when relatives meet initially as adults. Transamerica does not judge him, but is sympathetic to his dilemma and silently roots for him to escape these dangerous behaviors, but unfortunately does not know what to do with Toby other than sulk silently when Bree is happy with Calvin Many Goats or be sympathetic when Bree isn’t when she is with her family.
Transamerica never addresses Toby’s violence well. Toby threatens Bree when he thought that she was a cis woman and hits her when he discovers her real identity, but never threatens to hit his stepfather or transwomen, whom he thinks of as men. Is Toby violent towards women &/or just Bree? Possibly the latter since he seems to tolerate the love that he receives from the family neighbor in Kentucky and the Schupak family.
Transamerica did not clearly show whether or not Bree actually was a practicing Christian before her trip. The awkward first prayer made me think that she wasn’t, but as Transamerica unfolds, either the trip reignited her past relationship with God, or she always was, but was awkward because she was finally alone with her son.
Transamerica’s therapist seems oddly controlling and too close with Bree. Is that normal in these situations? Is it ethical?
Transamerica seems rushed. The trip from New York City to Kentucky occurs in a blink. The end seems rushed too. Transamerica needed to improve its time passing signifiers.
Being someone’s grandchild does not automatically mean that the family will love you, especially if the grandparent views the parent’s behavior as unnatural or abhorrent. Unfortunately it is enough for most families not to like the significant other to have little to no interest in the grandchild so I didn’t completely buy that the family would adore Toby though it is possible since they were still willing to help Bree.
Once again, I think Felicity Huffman is perfect, but I am sure that there is at least ONE transwoman actor who could have played Bree since I’m sure that transwomen aren’t taking over all the cis women roles in movies.
Transamerica’s flaws should not dissuade you from seeing it. Transamerica is a great movie about becoming comfortable in your skin and reconciling however imperfectly with your past.
