Prodigal Sons

Paul achieves high school success as a football hero, socially popular, named best looking, and the class valedictorian. These accomplishments set a stark baseline for who Paul is before realizing something feels off about the gender he was assigned at birth.

From kindergarten onward, Paul feels something is askew with the male gender assigned at birth. This seeds the understanding that Paul may be transgender and sets the stage for later transition.

Paul changes her name to Kimberly Reed and begins living as a woman. The transformation marks a new phase of confidence and social success.

Kimberly becomes a filmmaker and decides to make a documentary about returning home for the high school reunion. The project uses her own life as a lens to explore transgender experiences.

She documents interactions with family, old friends, and classmates as she educates others about what it means to be transgender. The film observes the complexities of homecoming and the conversations that follow.

Kimberly attempts to reconcile her relationship with her adopted brother Marc, who struggles to see her as female. The documentary follows their tense conversations and gradual shifts in understanding.

The film reveals shocking revelations, including that Marc is the secret grandson of Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth. These twists add complexity to family history and identity.

Intense sibling rivalry and other plot twists force the family to confront serious challenges. The strain highlights how gender transition and family dynamics intersect with mental health.

Marc's mental health declines and he is voluntarily admitted to a mental health facility. The film traces his struggle and its impact on the family.

Kim learns to accept her entire past, including childhood and early adulthood when she lived as male. The narrative emphasizes self-acceptance as part of her journey.

The documentary explores how growing up trans affects development within family and society, and how mental illness can challenge familial relationships.

Kimberly Reed and her mother Carol appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show 'Transgender Transition' on February 11, 2010 to discuss Kim's life and the documentary.

The film uses Kim's journey to educate audiences about transgender experiences and to highlight family reconciliation and understanding.