PRAYERS FOR BOBBY
US, 2009, 90 minutes, Colour.
Sigourney Weaver, Henry Czerny, Ryan Kelley, Dan Butler, Austin Nicholls, Carly Schroeder, Scott Bailey, Rebecca Louise Miller.
Directed by Russell Mulcahy.
Prayers for Bobby is based on a book by Leroy Aarons, the true story of Mary Griffith, who became a gay rights crusader after her teenage son committed suicide in the 1970s. She blamed herself, and especially her fundamentalist religious background as well as the intolerance that it led to, alienating her son.
Sigourney Weaver gives a powerful performance as the mother. Henry Czerny is in the background as the supportive but seemingly indecisive father. Ryan Kelley portrays Bobby.
The film has a great deal to say about understanding homosexual teenagers and the support and understanding that they need in order to have some kind of sense of self and some purpose in life and goals. The film, set in the past, reminds audiences of the lack of understanding. However, in the 21st century, there is a lot more openness and discussion. The film is also interesting in its presentation of the understanding of the Bible, the total reliance of many Christians on the literal word of the Bible rather than interpretation in context and in applications to the present situations. The film also offers a sympathetic look at ministers from the Metropolitan church.
Towards the end, Sigourney Weaver makes a strong speech in her town of Walnut Creek, where there was a proposal to have a day of sympathy for gay men and women. (It was turned down.) This speech could be used as a strong basis for discussion about attitudes towards the issue. The film was directed by Australian Russell Mulcahy who directed a wide range of films from Razorback to Swimming Upstream as well as the original Highlander film and many action films and telemovies.
1. A film for a television audience, its style, message, impact? The transition from the 1970s and 80s to the present?
2. 2009, homophobia, considerations of homosexuality, from a personal point of view, religious point of view, psychological? Christianity, biblical and literal? The challenge to the audience?
3. The Midwest, Oregon, San Francisco? The 70s and 80s? Homes, schools, churches? Ordinary people? The city and clubs? San Francisco and parades? The perceptions of the past?
4. Bobby, aged twenty, different, at home, his religious background, his diary and his feelings, his feeling different and separated, the experience with girls, sociable? His birthday and the celebration? His anguish, passing the gay club, in denial? His telling his brother? Everybody knowing, his emotional reaction? The way in which he was treated – by the family, at school?
5. The portrait of the family: the quiet father, the older brother and his support of his brother, his sisters, the bonds between them?
6. Mary Griffith, Sigourney Weaver’s performance? Dominant, a woman of principles, religious belief, direct quoting from the Bible, her strictness, sexual sin and homosexuality as an abomination? Language of death and hell and sin? Her reaction to Bobby, loving him but hard on him, quoting the Scriptures, taking him to the church, writing out the quotes on his mirror and his furniture? Her talking to the minister? Her abhorrence and denial? Seeing her at work, at home, the family, her control?
7. Bobby and his going to church, going to join the group, their talking, their problems and sharing? The psychiatrist and her talking with Bobby, wanting to heal him? Her wanting the family therapy? His lighter touch and her not being amused? The father not wanting to go? The issue of costs?
8. Bobby, his wanting to move out, the visits home, his mother and her reaction, Jeanette and her support?
9. His going to Oregon, the farewell, staying with Jeanette, talking freely with her, writing in his diary? Going to the club, feeling at home, the men, dancing, Jeanette as support? His meeting David? Sharing with him, going to the family dinner, their support? Going home, David’s advice to defy his mother? His doing this, her cutting him off? His farewell, the family seeing him off outside, his sisters’ support? His mother behind the curtains?
10. Bobby and his return, David and his not answering the phone, seeing him with someone else, Bobby being miserable, lonely, writing in his diary, feeling guilty, falling to his death?
11. The news, his father’s reaction? Going to the workplace, Mary feeling locked in and her anguish? The brother and sisters? The funeral? The homily and the denunciation of homosexuality and of Bobby?
12. Going to the Metropolitan church, the sympathetic priest, the reaction, the discussion about the texts, her considering his interpretation as blasphemous? Mary having to rethink, blaming her husband, reading Bobby’s diary?
13. The contact with Betty, ringing her, Betty and her own experience of her son? Her talking with the group? Her disillusionment, change?
14. The issue of the Ordinance for the Day, the meeting, Mary going, her speech and its emotion, its power, its meaning?
15. The speech, its content, her manner, the effect?
16. The whole family going to San Francisco, joining in the parade, solidarity, Mary imagining Bobby there, her sympathy for the young man she met?
17. Issue of principle and practice? Judgmental attitudes and tolerance? The role of religion, the Bible? A principled approach to a person, acknowledging their feelings and needs?
