'Becoming Chaz' captures a complex transition
By Matthew Gilbert
Globe Staff / May 10, 2011
http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2011/05/10/becoming_chaz_captures_a_complex_transition/ (http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2011/05/10/becoming_chaz_captures_a_complex_transition/)
"Becoming Chaz'' is remarkably multifaceted. Most of all, the new documentary about Chaz Bono, formerly Chastity Bono, is a chronicle of gender reassignment. But it is also a touching reminder of the endless process of coming out that we all undergo — not just as gay or transgender, but as ourselves. It's a glimpse into the often cold, exploited world of the child of celebrities — Chaz is yesterday's Suri Cruise. And it's a love story, an intimate profile of a relationship challenged by life changes.
"Becoming Chaz,'' which premieres tonight at 9 on OWN, is all of those things, as well as a gossipy trip into Chaz's family history and the feelings of his mother, Cher, about his transformation. And yet it all hangs together quite nicely, as the story behind a story that has wound its way into entertainment headlines for a few years now. No matter what you think of Chaz Bono's decision to transition from female to male, you will probably be fascinated by his arc. It's both dramatic and unique, from the sometimes graphic material about his double mastectomy to his self-revelation in the media limelight.