The Ryan Thomas Collection

The premiere of Lifetime’s latest original film, Prayers for Bobby, aired Saturday night. Sigourney Weaver stars in the true story about a mother’s journey as her son, Bobby, comes out of the closet and commits suicide years later. Weaver’s character begins as a self righteous religious fanatic convinced that God will heal Bobby of his homosexuality. The story depicts both Bobby’s struggle and that of his family before and after his suicide. The struggle between some church preachings and the self become a core aspect of the touching film.

Bobby’s story begins in the late 1970s, but the story could have just as well have taken place in 2009. The struggle of young LGBT in America has become easier for some in the past thirty years, but remains a difficult time for many. The complexity behind self discovery, acceptance and revelation makes for a situation that requires much effort, fortitude and support. Some are lucky and others not. With so many people saying so many different things, it’s hard to create, let alone maintain, a sense of identity. Prayers for Bobby depicts, with a strong hand, this complexity and this idea of identity, using dramatic cinematography and moments of intense emotional fury. The montage of imagery used at various moments throughout the film vividly displays the type of intermixed ideals someone in Bobby’s position endure, juggling the expectations of others, of society and of one’s self.

Prayers for Bobby is an ideal film to release to a large television audience, providing it an opportunity to reach audiences that may not actively pursue it a cinema, but may come upon it whilst channel surfing, and ulitmately are the ones in most need of viewing it. Prayers for Bobby may make you angry; it may make you sad or give you hope. Sigourney Weaver is passionate in her portrayal of Mary Griffith, the unforgiving mom who ends the film with a touching idea that all must remember.

Make a point to watch this Lifetime Original. It’s already getting Emmy buzz. The film’s premiere comes on the heels of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences annoucing eight nominations for the Milk, including a nomination for Best Picture. Both Milk and Prayers for Bobby successfully use a tragic event to inspire and give hope for a brighter tomorrow.

For more information on the story of Bobby and Mary Griffith, as well as showtimes of Prayers for Bobby:

http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/movies/prayers-bobby

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