Mama's Boy

source: Mama's Boy

Having read and loved Black's book, I had no idea it had been turned into a documentary when I stumbled upon it. Why isn't there more of a fuss about this terrific film? This is a remarkable story about a beautiful woman who overcame so many torturous obstacles and who faced each one with tremendous courage. While this is clearly about a son's unwavering love for his mother, it is also about Dustin Lance Black's crusade to overturn Proposition 8 and his fight for his mother's life. It is a heartfelt, beautiful story that speaks to the heart, compassion, and strength for which we should all strive in our lives. When I read the book, I had to wipe away tears that made the words blurry. The documentary is no less affective. Highly recommended.

10/10 The story simply brings true hope. Than even in such a great divde that we're right now, there is hope indeed and that mending or even building new (some very surprising!) bridges is possible. Made me feel so much more positive and genuinely hopeful in these bleak and horrifying times. Hope, love, stories to share <3 Just go watch it. It tells a beautifully poignant story of a very remarkable woman and her children. Their falls and joys, their fears, prejudice, but also wins, bonds and happiness. And how that one woman and her strong family values changed the whole nation. Also an interesting look into how we can be together, even when it seems we could never even sit down at the same table, inspiring.

If you eliminate the homophobes who rated it One star ( and not one comment why), then the average is much higher. The story about the resilience of his mother and how it shaped him was done perfectly. The actual photographs and movies from his youth added so much. How his mother thrived even with polio and raising 3 boys , as well as working, helped Lance in his quest to create. I was born in 1947 and learned from this movie I was just lucky to not get polio. I do remember being in elementary school and getting the vaccine. Just amazing he found hoe love with Olympic diver Tom Daley and has a family - as his mother always dreamed.

Best movie I've seen all year. I've seen good productions, but a really great film is different. A great film has to tell you something that you didn't know before. Or, rather, to make you feel something, something deep, to reach inside you and touch something that resonates deep into your soul. I know that some people will not feel this way after seeing it, but I found that, in one way or another, my own journey has mirrored Dustin's. I wonder if many young people will understand and really feel the emotions that this films evokes. So much has changed since I made my journey. Things I never thought would happen... happened. And they happened because of people like Dustin. We owe him more that we can ever repay. And this film shows how & why. All I can say to him is: promise kept, promise fulfilled. Well done.

Before watching "Mama's Boy", I was aware that Mr. Black had won an Oscar for writing "Milk", about the gay rights pioneer Harvey Milk. I was also aware of his relationship with the charming, uber-cute British diver, Tom Daley, and that there is a large age difference between the two. And that was pretty much it. The structure of this documentary is such that I have come away with what feels like a deep understanding of what makes Mr. Black tick, as well as an appreciation of the obstacles he has overcome. He describes his mother as having a "strong heart" and it is clear that her good-heartedness is a trait that she passed on to her children. The documentary focuses primarily on his mother, and from that life, on the family she created despite almost overwhelming odds. The narrative flow is very smooth as it derives from a strictly linear chronology (excepting the very opening scene), and the use of in-person interviews and family records rounds out the storytelling quite effectively. For me, the only unanswered question was why Mr. Black, after changing his surname to the name of his first stepfather - and, given his natural father's behavior, rejecting his birth name seems completely understandable - felt no similar desire (given, once revealed, that latter man's far worse behavior) to instead honor the man (his mother's third husband) who was a loving husband and better father than the first two combined. In other words, I would think he would rather be known as Dustin Lance Bisch. Ultimately , the story we witness is positive and uplifting. I recommend this documentary, and not just to the GLBTQ community and their allies, but to all those whose opinions are not set in stone. Mr. Black shows how bridge-building is always possible, and, indeed, common ground is the "land" we all hope to arrive at, and all can thrive on.

I loved every minute of this documentary. Dustin Lance Black's story about his mother was so beautiful. His mother would be so proud of him. It was not an easy road for Dustin, but to hear how his mom overcame so many obstacles and she never gave up. Neither did Dustin. Never a harsh word about his adversaries but words of encouragement and never giving up. I plan to continue watching quality work created by Dustin and hope he continues to create more documentaries on social issues and human rights. I hope viewers feel encouraged after watching this documentary - humans can be resilient and do anything if determined.

Ignore the moments in the film that lapse into mushy sentimentality. Black not only loves his family, but he loves the culture that spawned them, even when they don't themselves understand what loving him back means. I am an Army Brat from a conservative Southern family, and I spent a long time working for Zions Bank. I truly understand his faith in his family and in the Mormon church. I know that the opposition to same sex marriage is homophobia. I believe that there will come a reconciliation with between gay children and their religious families, but I believe it more after seeing the film. Don't give up.

This is a moving portrait of how a very special woman overcame incredible odds and raised one of the most gifted writers and LGBT activists of our time. In telling the story of the family and background that shaped him, Dustin Lance Black creates a portrait that is more vivid and moving than any work of fiction. His journey from poverty and struggle in the most religiously conservative parts of the country, to the Oscar stage, to building bridges and understanding within the homophobic Mormon church, is much more than a tale of self-discovery and coming out. The beautifully crafted documentary is infused with love. It celebrates the impact that a strong and loving woman can have on her children, and in this case, on the evolving attitudes of our society.

'Oh he won an Oscar so he must tell an amazing story!' That's what I thought when I saw the promo come up on HBOMax- I was wrong. Maybe had a read it the story may have had more emphasis but I doubt it. Dustin is a little too breathless, a little too dramatic to allow the viewer to fall into the story, and I didn't even make it halfway before finally turning it off altogether. Aside from the obnoxious telling by Dustin, we're also treated to polio nonsense that compares the vaccine to the Covid vaccine (no really) and completely ignores the real truth behind polio, how it spread, why it spread so rapidly, why you didn't want to be one of the first to get the vaccine, how the filth contributes to spread, and some genuine falsehoods that as an healthcare frontline worker, makes me think this is more about creating drama than informing people of the truth. I've seen many of his works and haven't been as enthralled as the Hollywood elites (to the point of throwing awards at him so they can feel like they did something valuable) but he's managed to tell the stories in an interesting way that held me until the end; this does nothing close.