47
Metascore
21 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 60VarietyAndrew BarkerVarietyAndrew BarkerDellal’s likably chaotic direction and a bevy of solid performances make sure the film’s beating heart outweighs most of its contrivances.
- 60Screen DailyTim GriersonScreen DailyTim GriersonFilled 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.
- 50The Hollywood ReporterDavid RooneyThe Hollywood ReporterDavid RooneyIt's involving but seldom deeply affecting, with the core drama continually shoved aside to examine more commonplace matters of parenting, abandonment and broken families.
- 50The PlaylistKevin JagernauthThe PlaylistKevin JagernauthUltimately, 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.
- 50The A.V. ClubJesse HassengerThe A.V. ClubJesse HassengerThere’s a kind of equality at work here: No one is well-served.
- 50New York Magazine (Vulture)Emily YoshidaNew York Magazine (Vulture)Emily YoshidaWhile 3 Generations certainly has some worthy explorations, it’s too vain not to sugarcoat itself, visually or otherwise.
- 50Entertainment WeeklyJoe McGovernEntertainment WeeklyJoe McGovernDirector 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.
- 40The GuardianBenjamin LeeThe GuardianBenjamin LeeThe 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.
- 40Village VoiceAlan ScherstuhlVillage VoiceAlan ScherstuhlIt'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.
- 38Slant MagazineSlant MagazineThe main character is too often pushed to the sidelines so that the filmmakers can indulge tired family-drama tropes.