Becoming Chaz (2011)

the audience applauded

Nice effects though.

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

Wow! What a bizarre film! Unfortunately the few funny moments there were were quite overshadowed by it's completely weird and random vibe throughout.

From where I was sitting, I found 'Becoming Chaz' to be an utterly shameless, self-indulgent, biased, vanity production.Its most memorable and priceless moment came about following the film's closing credits when Chaz (aka. Chastity) and his/her mother, mega-star, Cher, finally meet face-to-face outside the theatre where the premiere of Burlesque was just letting out.Of course, on the surface, it was all bright, happy smiles and light, cheery talk between mother and son/daughter. But, regardless of these appearances, this viewer could easily sense the underlying tension, animosity and, yes, hatred that clearly exists between these two celebrity-egos.If you ask me, I'd say that Chaz and Cher absolutely loathe each other right to the very core of their being. There's no doubt about it.From my perspective, I think that Chaz made for a really terrible, dull and uninspiring example of "manhood". There was absolutely nothing likable, nor interesting, nor dynamic about him at all. If he had honestly strove to be proud of his appearance, then that would have definitely been to his credit. But, on the contrary, Chaz was nothing more than a fat, goofy slob (obviously with an eating disorder) who had a really irksome habit of interlocking his chubby fingers together and twiddling his thumbs, non-stop.Since Chaz is now officially/legally a man, that, of course, cancels out him previously being a lesbian, so it makes no sense to me why he continues to have connections with the gay community. He's not a gay woman anymore.And his alcoholic girlfriend (the nagging, easily-brought-to-tears, Jennifer Elia) is now no longer a lesbian anymore, either, since Chaz is now totally recognized as being a bona-fide man.I found it quite odd that Chaz (with his frequent testosterone rages) actually voiced his disapproval about gay men doing his mother in drag.When it comes right down to it, this production (which was endorsed by Oprah Winfrey) is just pure gay propaganda and Chaz Bono (who's so proud of his hairy ass) is just a conniving, little publicity seeker, who's ruthlessly cashing in on his famous mother's name as a means to bring his trans-gender surgery into the limelight.And, finally - I thought it was very, very strange, indeed, that no mention was ever made about where all of the money was coming from for Chaz to pay, not only the many doctors' bills, but, also for all of his other living expenses, as well.Chaz never talked about having a job or his source of income. But, I think I can guess who's forking out all the dough to support Chaz and his self-centred indulgence. It's his estranged mother, Cher, of course.

I must say this right away: boy was I glad that this documentary was NOT about Cher or Chaz's Relationship with his mother. I believe the point was to inform the audience about trans-gender issues. The only necessary mother-daughter aspect that was important for the audience was the process of accepting the modification in her daughter's gender. Therefore, the director has succeeded in making this a very good documentary.The focus of this documentary is to make us aware that being a trans-gender is not a disease or an illness, and that it is more common than we may think. It can also definitely be used to raise people's awareness, but also to show trans-gender children and teenagers (and even adults) that there is hope and that concrete means can be undertaken to modify their gender.Two thumbs up! 8 very shiny stars out of 10!

Interesting documentary about Chastity Bono's sex change to become Chaz Bono. It deals well with the complexities of life for both the trans-gendered, and for the children of very famous people. Quite touching and informative, it makes the still uneasy and confusing (for many) subject of sex re-assignment far more human, and understandable on both a technical (how does it work?) and - more important – emotional level. It also doesn't shy away from the hard parts (e.g. the difficult personality changes brought on in Chaz by his intense hormone therapy). Chaz is allowed to look self-centered, and even like a jerk at times, without it impeding on our sympathy or identification. He's just a person, like all of us, which is the whole point. While the film-making itself can be uneven, this is the kind of film that helps people open their hearts and minds to those who seem 'different'. And that is always a worthwhile thing.

Becoming Chaz is a perfect example of how a film festival's high reputation can over-hype rather mediocre filmmaking and even less impressive story telling. The premise of the film is quite obvious to whomever knows anything about Cher and her daughter Chastity who few months ago began her testosterone therapy in order to change sex. The film was very warmly welcomed at Sundance; the LGBT issues are always given a special spot in the festival line up and attract hordes of people who see these films as the main pillar of independent filmmaking. Oprah Winfrey helped to produce the film and Rosie O'Donnell came down to Sundance to make a brief introduction. But it was the one person that was absent at the premiere who was the real talk of the after movie discussions - Cher. The directors try to present a reliable and heart warming image of Chaz Bono, but very soon after the movie starts we realise that it is Chaz who really conducts the story development and the way his persona is portrayed on the screen. He selects the aspects of his life to which he allows the audience to enter. It seems that the directors who don't want to appear ungrateful to Chaz for letting them to be involved in the documentary don't exhibit any desire to seek the truth beyond the surface of Chaz's life. Chaz's relationship with his mother is the most interesting part of the film and unfortunately the most unsatisfactory. Cher's resentment to her daughter changing sex is unresolved and the only hint of what is going on between her and Chaz is presented after the credits end. Cher briefly meets Chaz after the premiere of her latest film Burlesque and tries to avoid the uncomfortable confrontation. But then, the film is not supposed to be about Chaz and Cher, it is meant to tell the story of Chastity becoming Chaz. However, as Chaz is left in charge of his own portrait he is unable to assess his doings in an investigatory fashion and so the final product ends up being superficial and disappointing.