3 Generations Movie Quotes

3 Generations movie quotes help tell the story portrayed in the film about a transgender teen growing up in a family of women. The drama movie was directed by Gaby Dellal using a screenplay he co-wrote with Nikole Beckwith. 3 Generations opened theatrically on May 5, 2017.

In 3 Generations, Ray (Elle Fanning) was born a female but now as a teen identifies as a male. He lives in New York City where he's been raised by his mother, Maggie (Naomi Watts), his grandmother Dolly (Susan Sarandon) and Dolly's girlfriend, Frances (Linda Emond). Ray narrates the film and describes how it feels to feel like a male but be seen as a female.

So, with Maggie's support, Ray begins the process of transitioning from female to male. This comes with a little confusion from Dolly and Frances, who are not too familiar with transgender people, and a little bit of difficulty. In order to file the papers needed, Ray needs to get approval from his long estranged father, Craig (Tate Donovan), with whom he hasn't spoken since Ray was a baby.

3 Generations was just one of several spring 2017 movies in theaters along with the likes of The Dinner, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 , Buster's Mal Heart, and Sleight.

Cole: So are you like our brother?
Craig: Sort of
Mia: Why sort of?
Ray: Because I was born in a girl's body
Mia: I'm a girl in a girl's body, I think.

When Ray visits with his estranged father, Craig, and Craig's family, terminology and gender get a little tricky. As Ray explains identifying as a boy, Craig's daughter Mia begins to question her own gender.

Maggie: There's been a problem with the papers. Your father has to sign them but he won't.
...
Craig: She's a kid. What if she changes her mind?
...
Ray: Why does he care? He hasn't seen me since I was a baby.

In order to transition, Ray and mother Maggie are forced to get approval from Ray's father, Craig. Ray can't believe his father has any say in the matter, especially since Craig has never been a part of his life.

Dolly: Why can't she just be a lesbian?
Maggie: Because she's not a lesbian, mom. She's a boy. 
Ray: I just want to be normal.
Dolly: Why is normal the goal? What about being authentic?
Maggie: Authentic is what he wants to be.
Frances: Good answer
Dolly: That is a good answer... I still vote lesbian.

Over dinner, Dolly, Maggie, Ray and Frances discuss Ray's transition from female to male in these 3 Generations movie quotes. Dolly fails to grasp the difference between a lesbian and a transgender person and even tries to vote that Ray be a lesbian instead.

Doctor: There may be mood swings and you will see a drop in the menstrual cycle.
Ray: Thank god
...
Dolly: What about trying something alternative?
Maggie: What, like acupuncture? We'll see you at home, mom.
Dolly: What did I say? 

Ray and his family meet with a doctor to hear about what he can expect during his female-to-male transition. Dolly isn't impressed with what she hears and makes an odd but well-meaning suggestion.

Ray: I was raised in New York by my mom, my mom's mom and my mom's mom's girlfriend. The hardest part of my day is knowing that everybody still sees me as a girl. 

As he narrates in this 3 Generations movie quote, Ray gives a bit of insight into his life and his struggles. Ray was born a girl, raised by three women but identifies as a male.

Maggie: Ray is the only good decision I have ever made. 

While reflecting on her mistakes over life in this 3 Generations movie quote, Maggie knows one thing for sure. Having Ray was the best decision she's ever made.

Maggie: I don't know anything about boys or men. It's not like I had any role models.
Dolly: You had me... It's time. Live a little. 

Lost while trying to date and deal with Ray's transition from female to male, Maggie seeks some advice from mother Dolly. Maggie feels ill equipped for these things, having no strong male role models in her life.

Dolly: Maybe you could get your own apartment, not attached to your mother's apartment.
Maggie: You're breaking up with me? Now?

Dolly approaches Maggie in these 3 Generations movie quotes to suggest that it might be time to move out. While Maggie doesn't disagree that moving out is a good idea, she does see the question as ill timed.

Dolly: Oh, look at that. You used to have a lot of boyfriends, sometimes all at the same time. 
Maggie: You can't make jokes out of my mistakes.
Dolly: That's exactly what you're supposed to do with mistakes. 

Dolly and Maggie have different opinions on what should be done with old photos, old mistakes. Maggie sure doesn't enjoy being made fun of, but Dolly gets a kick out of it.