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 & 15 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is asked of him, but through it all, the church's apparent disapproval of homosexuality causes him to grow increasingly withdrawn and depressed.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

Did You Know?

Trivia

In 2020, Sigourney Weaver reflected on the movie during her interview with "Entertainment Tonight". She said, "This one is the one I'm most grateful I got to do, because I hope that it will be such a support to these young kids. My heart goes out to all of them. I think there probably is nothing more difficult than not being able to express who you are and all the questions you have about that in a safe space."

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Goofs

Bobby's mother sends him a church pamphlet about AIDS (in the film's time-line, this would be 1981 or sometime in 1982). The CDC began using the acronym AIDS in September 1982, but it was some time before the term became widely used.

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Quotes

Mary Griffith: To all the Bobbys and Janes out there, I say these words to you as I would my own precious children. Please don't give up hope on life, or yourselves. You're very special to me, and I'm working very hard to make this life a better and safer place for you to live in. Promise me you'll keep trying. Bobby gave up on love, I hope you won't. You're always in my thoughts.

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Connections

Referenced in Prayers for Bobby: The Road to the GLAAD Awards (2009)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Excellent, well-done movie that has you balling your eyes out

The whole movie I was crying profusely. The cast was terrific. A must-see, especially for gay people and family of gay people. A gay youth is outcast by his mother and he struggles to accept his homosexuality. He eventually is able to leave his family for Portland, OR, but his mother's emotional/biblical abuse remains scarring his mind. I don't want to spoil what happens in Portland, but you will certainly find this a movie that makes you feel deeply for all the characters involved. I really felt connected to all the characters. This movie was certainly a movie that would be great to watch with someone you care for, as you will be crying the whole time. This movie points out the horrors of the religious Right, and criticizes the arguments against homosexuality.

Details

Official Sites:

Lifetime TV Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 January 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Prayers for Bobby

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