Hi all,

I just watched a brilliant movie called "Boy A". First of all, despite the title, it's not really a "boy movie", and that is not why I'm recommending it. [It does have a few boy characters, but they are not the central focus.]

Do you remember the shocking murder of 3-year-old James Bulger by two 10-year-old boys, Jon Venables and Robert Thompson? It occurred in England in 1993. They left him dead next to a railway line. The boys were convicted, but eight years later were released under new identities. Since then there has been a lot of speculation about who they are or where they might be living. Though I don't know for certain, I imagine this movie is strongly based on the Bulger case.

The central character is "Jack", a 24-year-old who has just been released from prison under a new identity. We find out through the course of the movie that he and another boy had been convicted of the murder of a young girl many years earlier. With the help of a kind parole officer, he is able to get work and start to build a life for himself. But will it last?

It's a really powerful film! I feel it has a lot of resonance for people like us, particularly, because it has to do with secrets, redemption, unforgiveness, hope, intolerance, second chances, hate, and love. Whether we are fearfully hiding our desires, or having them exposed to an unforgiving world, there are themes here that, for me, really hit home. I'd definitely recommend it!

Blessings,
Rainboy