Los Angeles, CA- Oscar nominee and Golden Globe winner Sigourney Weaver (Aliens, Gorillas in the Mist, Working Girl) stars in the Lifetime Original Movie Prayers for Bobby , marking her first performance in a made-for-television motion picture.
Based on a true story and Leroy Aarons' book of the same name, the film tells the story of Mary Griffith, a profoundly religious wife and mother who begins to question her faith after the suicide of her gay son. Ultimately, with the posthumous acceptance of her son's homosexuality, Mary draws strength and comfort from the gay community and becomes an advocate for gay rights. Prayers for Bobby also stars Ryan Kelley (Mean Creek), Henry Czerny (The Tudors), Austin Nichols (John from Cincinnati), Dan Butler (Frasier), Scott Bailey (Guiding Light) and four-time Emmy Award nominee Susan Ruttan (LA Law). Based on a book by acclaimed journalist Leroy Aarons, Prayers for Bobby premieres on Saturday, January 24, 2009 on Lifetime Television.
About the Movie
Mary Griffith (Weaver) is a devout Christian who has raised her children with a conservative religious perspective. When her younger son, Bobby (Kelley), reveals to his older brother that he is gay, the entire family dynamic is irrevocably shifted. While Bobby's father and siblings slowly come to terms with his homosexuality, Mary turns to her steadfast beliefs in an attempt to “cure” her son. Alienated and quickly becoming more detached from the safety of his close knit family, Bobby's depression drives him to suicide. Now, faced with the devastating tragedy of losing a child, Mary begins to question her faith and, through a painfully emotional journey, ultimately draws strength and support from the gay community.
Set in 1980's California , Prayers for Bobby is based on a true story and the groundbreaking book of the same name by Leroy Aarons.
Prayers for Bobby is produced by Once Upon A Time Films in association with Permut Presentations and Sladek Taaffe Productions for Lifetime Television. Emmy Award winner Stanley M. Brooks (LMN's Capture of the Green River Killer, Broken Trail), David Permut (Face/Off), Daniel Sladek (Tale of the Mummy) and Chris Taaffe (Thank Heaven) are executive producers. Silvio Muraglia (High Speed), David Steinberg , Leroy Aarons, Mary Griffith and Steve Longi (Charlie Bartlett) served as co-producers. Damian Ganczewski (Broken Trail) produced the movie. Russell Mulcahy (Queer as Folk, Swimming Up Stream) directed from a script written by Katie Ford (Miss Congeniality).
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