Prayers for Bobby (2009)

True story of Mary Griffith, gay rights crusader, whose teenage son committed suicide due to her religious intolerance. Based on the book of the same title by Leroy Aarons.

Director:

Russell Mulcahy

Writers:

Katie Ford (teleplay), Leroy Aarons (book)

Stars:

Sigourney Weaver, Henry Czerny, Ryan Kelley

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 4 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sigourney Weaver	...	Mary Griffith
Henry Czerny	...	Robert Griffith
Ryan Kelley	...	Bobby Griffith
Austin Nichols	...	Ed Griffith
Carly Schroeder	...	Joy Griffith
Shannon Eagen	...	Nancy Griffith (as Shannon Eagan)
Scott Bailey	...	David
Rebecca Louise Miller	...	Jeanette
Lee Garlington	...	Psychologist
Madge Levinson	...	Ophelia
Marshall McClean	...	Reverend Owens
Susan Ruttan	...	Betty Lambert
Dan Butler	...	Reverend Whitsell
Anna Badalamenti	...	Michelle
Ele Bardha	...	Doug

Storyline

In "Prayers for Bobby," Mary Griffith (Sigourney Weaver) is a devout Christian who raises her children with the conservative teachings of the Presbyterian Church. However, when her son Bobby (Ryan Kelley) confides to his older brother he may be gay, life changes for the entire family after Mary learns about his secret. While Bobby's father (Henry Czerny) and siblings slowly come to terms with his homosexuality, Mary believes God can cure him of what she considers his 'sin' and persuades Bobby to pray harder and seek solace in church activities in hopes of changing him. Desperate for his mother's approval, Bobby does what is asked of him, but through it all, the church's apparent disapproval of homosexuality causes him to grow increasingly withdrawn and depressed. Guilty over the pain he is causing Mary, Bobby moves away, yet hopes that some day his mother will accept him. His subsequent depression and self-loathing intensifies as he blames himself for not being the 'perfect' son and ...

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Plot Keywords:

based on true story | homosexuality | suicide | grief | gay rights | 

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Taglines:

She loves everything about her son... except who he is.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Official Sites:

Lifetime TV Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 January 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bobby seul contre tous

Filming Locations:

Detroit, Michigan, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Daniel Sladek Entertainment,Once Upon a Time Films,Permut Presentations

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The real Mary Griffth appears on the left in the gay parade wearing a blue PFLAG shirt, next to the boy which Sigourney Weaver hugs.

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Goofs

The seduction scene from Spartacus (with Tony Curtis and Laurence Olivier) playing on the television was not in the original release of the film in 1960. Even if it were, the version playing on television in 1978 would have a been a butchered, less violent, re-release of the film The seduction scene was not put into the film until its restoration in 1991 by Robert A. Harris. On top of that, the audio tracks were missing or destroyed. So, Tony Curtis re-recorded his lines. Since Laurence Olivier was now deceased, Anthony Hopkins re-recorded his. Although the scene fits contextually (it's an analogy about having a "taste for snails over oysters"), it's inclusion is inaccurate.

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Quotes

Mary Griffith: Homosexuality is a sin. Homosexuals are doomed to spend eternity in hell. If they wanted to change, they could be healed of their evil ways. If they would turn away from temptation, they could be normal again if only they would try and try harder if it doesn't work. These are all the things I said to my son Bobby when I found out he was gay. When he told me he was homosexual my world fell apart. I did everything I could to cure him of his sickness. Eight months ago my son jumped off a bridge ...

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Connections

Featured in Prayers for Bobby: Meet the Real Mary Griffith (2009)

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Soundtracks

Here I Am
Produced by Michael Lloyd, Greg O'Connor

User Reviews

Say Amen to Prayers for Bobby ***1/2

Sigourney Weaver hits a home-run performance as a right-wing bible carrying nut who can't accept the fact that her younger son is gay.

She resorts to just about everything possible to get him to amend his ways. She sends him to therapy, constantly belittles him and uses the bible frequently to justify her disdain for his lifestyle.

A confused and bewildered young man, Bobby eventually commits suicide. The real tragedy here is to get his mother thinking that the condemnation of gays is really not the way to go.

The film is a very good one as it especially comes to grips with the church's condemnation of the gay life style and the use of the bible to distort this way of living.