Prayers for Bobby (2009)

87% of users liked it
(1,647 ratings)

A conservative Presbyterian mother reaches out to the gay community for support after driving her homosexual son to suicide in this made-for-television movie adapted from Leroy Aaron's 1995 novel. Bobby Griffith (Ryan Kelley) hails from a devoutly Christian family. Lately Bobby's been questioning… More A conservative Presbyterian mother reaches out to the gay community for support after driving her homosexual son to suicide in this made-for-television movie adapted from Leroy Aaron's 1995 novel. Bobby Griffith (Ryan Kelley) hails from a devoutly Christian family. Lately Bobby's been questioning his own sexuality, and upon confiding this information to his older brother, the news quickly circulates to their parents and other siblings. While Bobby's father and siblings resolve to stand by him despite their opposition to his startling revelation, his mother Mary (Sigourney Weaver) believes that her son is committing a sin, and encourages him to change his ways with the help of the church. Despondent over his experiences in the church, Bobby decides that his best option is to move out of the family home, all the while hoping that his mother will find a means of accepting him for who he is. But Mary is staunch in her position, and when Bobby realizes he'll never live up to his mother's expectations he takes his own life. Devastated, Mary seeks consolation from her pastor but fails to find the answers she's looking for. In time, Mary begins a dialogue with the gay community, and discovers that sometimes support can come from the places we least expect. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr.
Directed By: Russell Mulcahy
Genres: Drama, Television

In Theaters: Jan 21, 2009 Wide
On DVD: Dec 7, 2010
Studio: Unknown

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Featured Audience Ratings

Carlos M

A sad real story about how intolerance can destroy so many lives, and it is ironic to see that sometimes it takes a tragedy to make some people open their eyes. Sigourney Weaver offers a powerful performance in this made-for-tv movie that tends a bit towards melodrama but is always… More
A sad real story about how intolerance can destroy so many lives, and it is ironic to see that sometimes it takes a tragedy to make some people open their eyes. Sigourney Weaver offers a powerful performance in this made-for-tv movie that tends a bit towards melodrama but is always sincere to what it wants to say.
jay n

Thought provoking made for TV drama about the irrevisible damage that can be caused by blind faith and bigotry as well as the callous hatred zealots inflict in the name of their own interest and prejudice against anything they don't understand or agree with. Sigourney Weaver is… More
Thought provoking made for TV drama about the irrevisible damage that can be caused by blind faith and bigotry as well as the callous hatred zealots inflict in the name of their own interest and prejudice against anything they don't understand or agree with. Sigourney Weaver is an amazing actress.
Todd S

This is the true story of Bobby Griffith, who killed himself in 1982. Bobby was from a devote catholic family and was also gay. When he came out, everyone tried to "fix" him and it drove him to see himself as a bad person. This movie had some amazing performances in it, so… More
This is the true story of Bobby Griffith, who killed himself in 1982. Bobby was from a devote catholic family and was also gay. When he came out, everyone tried to "fix" him and it drove him to see himself as a bad person. This movie had some amazing performances in it, so much so that it was hard to watch. It's not just a true story, but it's also performed in such a raw fashion, that it feels like you're standing in the Griffith living room watching it all unfold. A lot of similar movies about tragic stories have been made, but none of them share the raw emotion that this movie has. Sigourney Weaver is at the top of her game and it brings out the best in everyone, especially Ryan Kelley who gives the best performance of his career as Bobby. This is as real as it gets and you will need a box of tissues, but if this is a topic that effects you or someone you know, than I highly recommend taking the time to see this film.
Erin C

Easily one of the saddest movies I have ever seen - I bawled my eyes out more than once. It just goes to show what ignorance and hate can produce.
Jason R

Sigourney Weaver gives a wonderful performance as a woman whose son kills himself shortly after coming out to his very religious parents. The trauma sparks a crusade that tests the woman's faith and sanity as she copes with the fact that she thought her son was a sinner for being… More
Sigourney Weaver gives a wonderful performance as a woman whose son kills himself shortly after coming out to his very religious parents. The trauma sparks a crusade that tests the woman's faith and sanity as she copes with the fact that she thought her son was a sinner for being Homosexual, and that she realized too late that their was nothing wrong with him, and that he is no longer living because she was to unwilling to accept the truth about her boy, and to be their for him in his time of need. As far a Lifetime movies go it is most certainly a heart wrenching and emotional movie that Lifetime is known for producing. But a few minor problems with the script and the production take away from an otherwise good movie, with a very important message of tolerance and acceptance of the Gay and Lesbian community. So while the film is definitely all heart, it falls a little short of being something worth repeated viewing, just another forgettable Lifetime movie that gets a bit of buzz, and then fades into obscurity.