Sad film review..
Okies so you know that this story hasn't got the happiest of endings already...
I've just sat and watched Prayers for Bobby. A story that revolves around a 'Christian' woman and her family and it's acceptance of one of the children coming out. Whilst some of the reviews bitched and moaned about how it barely touches on the issues, I feel that it was a very strong portrayal of how society STILL can't always come to terms with a situation that isn't a personal choice but of natural selection. I don't think this film could have been done any better as it is the story of one womans (family's) journey into the realities of life. Of her regrets and acceptance due to her (blind) faith in her chosen religious doctrine.
Sigourney Weaver plays Mary Griffth, mother of Bobby. Sigourney has always been able to act of that I'm never in doubt. I sat mesmerized by her through out the whole film as she was so convincing. The look of dissappointment and anger she delivers does not faulter through out the first half of the film whilst in the second half her fears and tears are delivered as if she was doing the thinking for her self. The rest of the family plays quietly along in the back ground but not so that the effect on thier lives is belittled. Some good scripting in what could have been a dicey area by taking the focus off Marys journey or totally forgetting that there were siblings and a father involved. *edit* I neglected to mention the actor who played the lead - Ryan Kelley. He played the role very well. I was never once given to feeling that he didn't take on the charachter of Bobby, and I feel that whilst many actors may not have struggled with it, this guy left me feeling that, like Sigourney, he was immersed in the role. He showed the hurt and fear well. I don't think that his story should have been told more than what was as it would detract from the over all effect. (A small critiscism I read on my journey through the web before I watched the film.)
Some of the other criticism leveled at this film is that it didn't tackle larger issues. Activist's sometimes feel that a vehcle should act like a sledgehammer. The film makers have made the crux of the film about the mother's dealing with faith. Yet a critiscim from a couple of reviewers is that it didn't deal with the 'demonisation' of GLBTI people by 'churches' harsh enough. I think, and like, that sometimes the softly softly approach is very warrented. If this film had of been any harsher I would not have been emotionally involved in this womans life.. I would have felt that I was being preached at...
If feel the need for a good cry then I strongly recommend this film. If I were young and wanted to show a film to my parents - this would be it.. (That's sorta how I came out to my folks way back in the early 80's I showed them a film about a gay swimmer coming out.. *L* ) I hope this film is watched by the masses and not restricted to just people who are already aware of lifes quirky nature.
And the trailer can be viewed on You Tube
*edit* I just found this link to one of the actor's essay on the film and his experience his name is Scott Bailey and his essay can be found here if you care to read it. FYI he's a straight actor who played Bobby's boyfriend
I'll leave with this quote from Mary Griffth, the mother of Bobby and author of the book. It's the last couple of sentences delivered by Mary in a speech.
"Before you echo Amen in your home or place of worship, think and remember. A child is listening."