Mutt

In one statement, this film can be described as a compelling story of an emotionally turbulent day in the life of a trans man in New York City. The film follows Feña, as he tries to navigate a series of events that would be stressful for anyone. I don't think that the first time filmmaker was trying to make any bold statement of sorts here but I believe the idea was to  illustrate that how small incidents can chip away at a trans person’s self-confidence and the strength it takes to stay true to that identity. 

Birth name Fernanda and now Feña, has had at the top surgery and recently started using testosterone. Since it's a transitionary phase, people often identify and address him wrongly to his annoyance. Film starts with him talking to his dad who is flying from Chile and that he will be there to pick him up from airport. Same night Feña sees John, his ex boyfriend when he was a girl. Over the course we get to know that they had a messy breakup. And as you would guess, they end up sleeping together that night, both unsure the next morning what it really means. Interestingly, his friend who was supposed to lend him the car suddenly goes MIA and now he has to scramble to find a car. To make matters worse, his 14 year old sister shows up after skipping the school and needs her support. We soon find out that Feña has been estranged from her and Zoe’s shared mother. Eventually he manages to borrow car from John , pick up his father, who even though is at unease with his daughter's transition to becoming a man, but the whole situation is still handled with dignity and sensitivity. The film ends where Feña tries to reconnect again with John but he refuses that it cannot work out. Interestingly the director doesn't mince words to show that this has anything to do with Feña being trans, but John drops a cruel truth bomb when he tells Feña “people don’t hate you because you’re trans; they hate you because you’re an asshole.” 

It is interesting to see how so many issues and problems can come one's way in a single day. Even if you discount that for. Amount, you do get t o see how everyday mundane activities can be uniquely complicated for a trans person, like when Feña tries to encase his check. Feña’s identity is constantly on his mind as many of these mishaps occur (also the whole conversation with his sister, who is a lot more understanding and approving than he thinks). It’s also on the minds of everyone he interacts with because his transition has affected them too. The actor playing Feña is fantastic and is in each and every scenes single handedly taking the film forward. While Feña’s journey may contain some contrivances, the way this young man adapts to each predicament feels authentic and emotionally potent. And now I read that the director is also a trans man who has used snippets form his own life to bring this story to reel life.  Of all Feña's interactions with his ex, with sister, with friends, the most poignant is with his father. The weight of a long day’s irritations and misunderstandings lead to raw nerves, harsh words and tears, but also one believably heartfelt rapprochement. This film could be an interesting for those people trying to get their heads around the ever-evolving concept of gender fluidity.  And using a non-binary actor like the one playing Feña here is an extremely brave and the right choice. 

Overall the film is a vivid unabashed character study of the day in life of a trans man. It shows what people can do to be kinder to others and empathise with the characters. A delicate reminder that no matter how difficult it is, we have to stay true to who we are. (7/10)