FILM REVIEW: Gayby Baby

WHO would have thought that a simple documentary, which was made using crowd funding, would cause so much controversy.

I think when you see this film you will wonder what all the fuss was about. Gayby Baby follows a year in the life of four kids whose parents are same-sex couples. I’m in no way putting these people or the film down when I say that they are so very ordinary and “normal”, and I’m sure many families will see a lot of themselves in this film.

[showads ad=MREC]There is 10-year-old Gus with a passion for wrestling, much to the chagrin of his mothers who see the violent sport as a bad role model.

There is 11-year-old Graham who moves to Fiji with his brother and fathers. Graham must not only deal with a new school but has some learning difficulties as well.

Matt is an 11-year-old whose mothers want to give him a Christian upbringing but Matt cannot understand why the church will not accept his mothers.

Then there is 12-year-old Ebony who wants nothing more than to be a singer as she tries to secure a place at Newtown Performing Arts High School.

I probably do not need to tell you how wonderful these kids are. Each of them have their own unique talents that are very much on display in this film. I was fascinated by aspects of each of their stories.

I liked Matt and his struggle with a religion that does not accept his mothers yet she still has faith. It’s a fairly weighty issue for a young man to deal with but Matt does it in such a beautiful way. He’s not afraid to ask the big questions.

What I liked about Ebony’s story was her family and the way they all band together to help her reach her goal. They have many struggles and problems along the way but they will not let Ebony lose sight of her dream.

This was also what I liked about Graham and his family. His fathers do all they can to help him as he deals with his literacy problems. But it’s a school assignment that makes him shine.

I know I should not single out one person, but the star of the film for me was Gus. He is hilarious. He could seriously have a career in comedy if he wanted to. His mother may not like his love of wrestling because of the violence it promotes but I think what Gus learns from it is how to be a showman and how to perform.

Much of the credit must go to director Maya Newell and her producer Charlotte Mars who have created this beautiful film.

Take your kids and go see Gayby Baby to show them that families come in many different varieties and that kids with same sex parents are no different than they are.