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Prayers for Bobby

  • TV Movie
  • 20092009
  • TV-14TV-14
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
17K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Sigourney Weaver, Henry Czerny, Ryan Kelley, and Austin Nichols in Prayers for Bobby (2009)
  • Biography
  • Drama
  • Romance
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.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.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.
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
17K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Russell Mulcahy
  • Writers
    • Katie Ford(teleplay)
    • Leroy Aarons(book)
  • Stars
    • Sigourney Weaver
    • Henry Czerny
    • Ryan Kelley
Top credits
  • Director
    • Russell Mulcahy
  • Writers
    • Katie Ford(teleplay)
    • Leroy Aarons(book)
  • Stars
    • Sigourney Weaver
    • Henry Czerny
    • Ryan Kelley
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 70User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys
      • 4 wins & 16 nominations total

    Photos21

    Prayers for Bobby (2009)
    Prayers for Bobby (2009)
    Prayers for Bobby (2009)
    Ryan Kelley in Prayers for Bobby (2009)
    Sigourney Weaver in Prayers for Bobby (2009)
    Ryan Kelley in Prayers for Bobby (2009)
    Ryan Kelley in Prayers for Bobby (2009)
    Ryan Kelley in Prayers for Bobby (2009)
    Sigourney Weaver in Prayers for Bobby (2009)
    Sigourney Weaver and Ryan Kelley in Prayers for Bobby (2009)
    Prayers for Bobby / U.S. DVD distributed by Lionsgate
    Trevor Project Live at the Wiltern Theater red carpet arrivals - Prayers for Bobby stars Scott Bailey, Ryan Kelley, Sigourney Weaver with executive producers Chris Taaffe and Daniel Sladek

    Top cast

    Edit
    Sigourney Weaver
    Sigourney Weaver
    • Mary Griffithas Mary Griffith
    Henry Czerny
    Henry Czerny
    • Robert Griffithas Robert Griffith
    Ryan Kelley
    Ryan Kelley
    • Bobby Griffithas Bobby Griffith
    Austin Nichols
    Austin Nichols
    • Ed Griffithas Ed Griffith
    Carly Schroeder
    Carly Schroeder
    • Joy Griffithas Joy Griffith
    Shannon Eagen
    Shannon Eagen
    • Nancy Griffithas Nancy Griffith
    • (as Shannon Eagan)
    Scott Bailey
    Scott Bailey
    • Davidas David
    Rebecca Louise Miller
    Rebecca Louise Miller
    • Jeanetteas Jeanette
    Lee Garlington
    Lee Garlington
    • Psychologistas Psychologist
    Madge Levinson
    • Opheliaas Ophelia
    Marshall McClean
    • Reverend Owensas Reverend Owens
    Susan Ruttan
    Susan Ruttan
    • Betty Lambertas Betty Lambert
    Dan Butler
    Dan Butler
    • Reverend Whitsellas Reverend Whitsell
    Anna Badalamenti
    • Michelleas Michelle
    Ele Bardha
    Ele Bardha
    • Dougas Doug
    Linda Boston
    Linda Boston
    • Margeas Marge
    Marty Bufalini
    • Councilmanas Councilman
    Hadas Corey
    • Cherylas Cheryl
    • Director
      • Russell Mulcahy
    • Writers
      • Katie Ford(teleplay)
      • Leroy Aarons(book)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    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 is driven to suicide. Faced with their tragedy, Mary begins to question her faith when she receives no answers from her pastor concerning her devastating loss. Through her long and emotional journey, Mary slowly reaches out to the gay community and discovers unexpected support from a very unlikely source. The film is based on the 1995 Leroy Aarons book of the same name. —Louie Neira
    • based on true story
    • homosexuality
    • grief
    • gay rights
    • gay pride
    • 102 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • She loves everything about her son... except who he is.
    • Genres
      • Biography
      • Drama
      • Romance
    • Certificate
      • TV-14
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In the scene were the 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.
    • 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.
    • 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 and killed himself. I deeply regret my lack of knowledge about gay and lesbian people. I see that everything I was taught and told was bigotry and de-humanizing slander. If I had investigated beyond what I was told, if I had just listened to my son when he poured his heart out to me I would not be standing here today with you filled with regret. I believe that God was pleased with Bobby's kind and loving spirit. In God's eyes kindness and love are what it's all about. I didn't know that each time I echoed eternal damnation for gay people each time I referred to Bobby as sick and perverted and a danger to our children. His self esteem and sense of worth were being destroyed. And finally his spirit broke beyond repair. It was not God's will that Bobby climbed over the side of a freeway overpass and jumped directly into the path of an eighteen-wheel truck which killed him instantly. Bobby's death was the direct result of his parent's ignorance and fear of the word gay. He wanted to be a writer. His hopes and dreams should not have been taken from him but they were. There are children, like Bobby, sitting in your congregations. Unknown to you they will be listening as you echo "amen" and that will soon silence their prayers. Their prayers to God for understanding and acceptance and for your love but your hatred and fear and ignorance of the word gay, will silence those prayers. So, before you echo "amen" in your home and place of worship. Think. Think and remember a child is listening.

    • Crazy credits
      Epilogue:  "On December 6th 1995 Mary Griffith testified before members of the Congress of the United States. Her tireless work protecting the rights of gay and Lesbian youth has established her as a major force in the fight for human rights."
    • Connections
      Featured in The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards (2009)
    • Soundtracks
      Here I Am
      Produced by Michael Lloyd, Greg O'Connor

    User reviews70

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Touching!
    The truth can be heartbreaking. Mary Griffith realized this when her son Bobby jumped off of a freeway into oncoming traffic. I just finished watching this movie and I must say... this movie is beyond touching. The acting was fantastic and it's message was very inspiring. Prayers for Bobby shows the struggles that gay youth and their families can go through, whether that means failing or triumph. This movie not only touches on the issues of homosexuality but also on pushing religion to far on someone, suicide and coming to terms with who you are. Life isn't always made up of rainbows and butterflies and this movie expresses that without holding anything back.
    helpful•67
    14
    • elven_avari
    • Jan 24, 2009

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 24, 2009 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Lifetime TV
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Dualar Bobby için
    • Filming locations
      • Detroit, Michigan, USA
    • Production companies
      • Daniel Sladek Entertainment
      • Once Upon a Time Films
      • Permut Presentations
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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