Songs for Alexis tells the story of an eighteen year old transgender male gained some form of publicity after appearences on US TV on the Larry King show. Since then, his dedication to living his dream of expressing his true self and his sexuality has turned him into somewhat of a hero within the LGBT community. Helping him carry his message is the fact that he is also a hugely talented singer songwriter, and as most known and celebrated singer songwriters and artists, he too has a muse. Her name is Alexis - a sixteen year old girl who is also the subject of many of his songs.
Lind follows Cassata's teenage ordeals mostly like a fly on the wall, hence using the old direct cinema style or filming reality as it happens. It is of course a point that has been debated time and time again whether this is truly a representation of reality or an automatic work of fiction whether sought after or subconciously achieved. Truth is, it hardly matters. In fact, this question is perhaps intensified by Ryan's story - itself almost unbelievable mostly due to his bravery.
And so we live his life as he plays his music, takes part in pride parades and even sings on a big stage quoting his hero Harvey Milk. His up and happy personality as well as his sweetness, supported by his strong willed mother, makes him instantly likeable. Being a teenager, he is of course just a normal kid, full of insecurities and a desire to change not shown just by the fact that he underwent surgery removing a huge symbol of his femininity - his breast - but also longing for facial hair. While even some of the little things and problems that affect Alexis may be a little out of the ordinary if not downright alien, it is the story of his forbidden love, the young Alexis that captures our hearts. The father of Alexis does not approve, and when Alexis chooses to abide to her family's wishes of not seeing him again, Ryan breaks down. This is something we can all relate to, and perhaps the strongest element in showing us that no matter what your sexuality or personality, love and heartbreak makes us all one and the same.
