Hynavian

My BBF recommended “Prayers for Bobby” yesterday night and I finished it in a go. Based on a true story set in the 1970s, a religious housewife struggles to accept that her son is gay. Screened January this year (2009), Sigourney Weaver’s¹ Mary Griffith brought me to tears.

A devout Christian, Mary Griffith raises her children to be conservatives and constantly inculcate the teachings of the Presbyterian Church into their day to day lives. That is until one day when she found out that one of her children, Bobby (stars Ryan Kelley), is gay. The film touches on a series of issues that gays and their conservative families might face. It tries to strike a balance by presenting the perspectives of Bobby (his urges, his control, and his love for the family), then Mary (her religious believes and her conservatism) and finally attempts to suggest solutions.

The circumstances and perspectives of gays are represented by Bobby as he struggles in angst and frustration in the conservative environment that he is in. On the other hand, the religious and the conservative are represented by Mary as she put her faith into play and tries to “reform” Bobby. By contrasting bipolar opposites, the film attempts to seek a common ground and when it fails, the consequences are explored.

Emotively done, the film brought me to tears twice. The 1st was where Bobby poured his heart out to Mary as he pleas for understanding while the 2nd was the part where Mary made a touching speech towards the end of the flick. I feel that the film reaches out to the audience and calls for understanding towards not only homosexuals, but also their family. It’s a touchy film that dives straight into human inter-relationships, please give it a try if you have the free time to spare. (:

Also available in book form, “Prayers for Bobby” is by Leroy Aarons.

To all the Bobbys and Janes out there, I say these words to you as I would my own precious children. Please don’t give up hope on life, or yourselves. You’re very special to me, and I’m working very hard to make this life a better and safer place for you to live in. Promise me you’ll keep trying. Bobby gave up on love, I hope you won’t. You’re always in my thoughts.

- Mary Griffith

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