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Prayers for Bobby
2009 89 min United States of America PG 18+
★7.8
Drama, History, TV Movie
Director: Russell Mulcahy
🎭 Based on
«Prayers for Bobby: A Mother's Coming to Terms with the Suicide of Her Gay Son»
byLeroy F. Aarons
Trailers
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Description
Bobby Griffith was his mother's favorite son, the perfect all-American boy growing up under deeply religious influences in Walnut Creek, California. Bobby was also gay. Struggling with a conflict no one knew of, much less understood, Bobby finally came out to his family.
Starring
Sigourney Weaver
Actor
Henry Czerny
Actor
Ryan Kelley
Actor
Awards
Screen Actors Guild Awards 2010
— Best Actress in a Miniseries or TV Movie
Emmy Awards 2009
— Best Actress in a Miniseries or TV Movie
Golden Globe 2010
— Best Actress in a Miniseries or TV Movie
Key opinion
Prayers for Bobby is widely regarded as a powerful and emotionally resonant drama that effectively critiques the intersection of religious fundamentalism and parental rejection. While some critics find the execution clunky or overly earnest, the majority view the film as a poignant and timely call for unconditional acceptance.
| Acting | Sigourney Weaver delivers a powerhouse, emotionally raw performance that anchors the film's narrative arc. | |
| Theme | The film serves as a poignant, effective social commentary on the tragic consequences of homophobia within religious households. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the screenplay are divided: supporters praise its earnest, heart-wrenching message, while detractors find the dialogue and narrative structure too formulaic and didactic. | |
| Runtime | The short runtime is viewed as a missed opportunity, with some arguing it prevents the necessary character development to turn a social message into a fully realized drama. |