Mama's Boy

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.

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.

The movie "Mama's Boy" is a documentary about Dustin Lance Black, an Academy Award-winning screenwriter of the film Milk, and his upbringing in a conservative Mormon family, the impact of his mother's resilience, and his journey toward embracing his gay identity and activism. In actuality, the film doesn't primarily center around Dustin Lance Black's life; rather, it places a stronger emphasis on his family, particularly focusing on his mother. In this documentary, Dustin Lance Black demonstrates his exceptional storytelling skills. He skillfully captures the most impactful and crucial details from the family narrative in a simple, straightforward, and succinct manner that makes it feel as if we have personally witnessed each event.

The connection he shared with his mother is deeply moving, and her enduring strength in the fight for life permeates her son as though through a process of osmosis.

"Mama's Boy" is a timeless narrative of resilience, reconciliation, and the lasting connection between a mother and her son. By exchanging stories, it serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience that love can instill in us, compelling us to champion our beliefs.

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.

'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.