Transformer

The journey that transwoman Janae Marie Kroczaleski took to become her true identity is wonderfully uplifting, and with "Transformer," filmmaker�Michael Del Monte's affectionate documentary, it is captured perfectly - and without any hint of sensationalism.

It all starts in the summer of 2015, when former US Marine and world record weightlifter Matt "Kroc" Kroczaleski was publicly outed as being transgender.�A strapping ultra-alpha male, Kroczaleski had struggled with his gender identity�since early childhood. A much-feted champion when he was outed, Kroczaleski admitted that he'd attempted�to start transitioning about eight times in the past decade; he seized the public disclosure as an opportunity finally to start his journey in earnest.

Kroczaleski is a divorced father of�three teenage boys who totally idolize her, and to whom she came out when they were just four and six years old. There is a touching scene in the movie when Janae is putting on her wig and makeup as the boys sit nearby watching TV and giving their dad words of encouragement.

The hormones Janae has been taking have radically altered her body from her�competition heyday, but part of Janae's dilemma�is that if she wants to continue to do weightlifting, then she must accept that she always be a 250 lbs., well-muscled woman.��

Del Monte's cameras trail her every move as Janae consults with surgeons about�making more changes to her body, presents herself as a female to her mother for the first time, and�even serves as the judge for a Trans Weightlifting Competition. The level of acceptance�from her friends - and especially�all her training buddies - is unanimously�supportive. It is greatly helped�by the fact that Janae is disarmingly charming.�She allows us to witness her vulnerability and is remarkably honest to not just us but, more importantly, to herself also.

On paper Janae may seem the most unlikely person ever to undertake a journey�like this, and in such a public�fashion; but after watching this doc unfold in detail, all you can do is commend her joyous spirit and bravery, and hope that her inspiring story will help others who may be struggling with their own identities.