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is asked of him, but through it all, the church's apparent disapproval of homosexuality causes him to grow increasingly withdrawn and depressed.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

In the scene were to two men from the church are talking with the Griffith family, some of the pictures on the mantel are pictures of the real Bobby Griffith.

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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

Robert Griffith: So we're really going to San Francisco?
Mary Griffith: I think we have to, I don't think its a choice. Well... that's ironic.

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Connections

Features Spartacus (1960)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

A movie for anyone who has felt misunderstood or alone.

Have you ever felt like you did not fit in? Have you ever had your parents not accept something about you? If you think you can not get this movie or understand and you are straight, think again. I am straight, but this film reminded me of all the times in my life I did not feel wanted or as though I fit in. I've spent the last year of my life fighting for the one place on the planet I felt like I belonged, and the one industry I felt I fit into. Have you ever had to fight to be? Have you ever had to stand up for something you believe in? Have you ever thought you were right about a belief and then discovered how wrong you were? Have you ever judged someone by ignorant standards, only to realize you were wrong? Are you part of a minority that has been persecuted and degraded? If any of this applies to you, see this film. It is more than just a movie about homosexuality. It is a film about people, family, love, friendship, and understanding. And if you are someone who thinks that homosexuals are evil, I dare you to watch this film.