History Film / PrayersForBobby

** Given what we have seen of Bobby's very angry, mean, verbally abusive, [[HeteronormativeCrusader homophobic]] (to the point of [[FeelingOppressedByTheirExistence declaring that gay people should be]] [[FinalSolution genocide-ed]]) maternal grandmother at her birthday party and at Bobby's funeral (where she tells Mary to stop grieving and focus on the guests), it seems that Mary is also on the receiving end of this trope.

* AbusiveParents: Mary, arguably (film being unique in that the film is partly from her point of view). She forces her religion down her children's throats, in particular Bobby, who she calls "sick" and "perverted" for being gay, trying to 'convert' him. Her actions [[spoiler:drive her son to suicide]]. However, Mary genuinely cares for her children and begins seriously questioning her church's interpretation of Scripture after [[spoiler: Bobby's death]]. In the end, she accepts that her earlier beliefs were wrong and tries to [[TheAtoner make amends]].

* CallingTheOldWomanOut: Cousin Jeanette calls Mary out for her homophobia and for letting a minister that barely knew Bobby say a damning eulogy at his funeral.

* DrivenToSuicide: Bobby attempts suicide early on. [[spoiler: Eventually he throws himself from a bridge into the path of truck and is instantly killed, with the aftermath of his suicide forming the main plot in the second half of the film]].
* {{Gayngst}}: Bobby, on account of the fact his mother is a conservative evangelical Christian who believes being gay is a sin and won't accept her son. [[spoiler: He eventually commits suicide]].

* HeelRealization: Mary Griffith has one [[spoiler: after Bobby kills himself]].

Bobby is 18 years old, lives with his loving family, goes to church, and... is gay. When his mother (Creator/SigourneyWeaver) finds out, she attempts to cure Bobby with prayers and psychiatric help.

* BasedOnATrueStory

* DrivenToSuicide: Bobby attempts suicide early one. [[spoiler: Eventually he throws himself from a bridge into the path of truck and is instantly killed, with the aftermath of his suicide forming the main plot in the second half of the film]].

None of it works, of course, and Bobby sinks deeper into depression and self-loathing. [[spoiler: He finally kills himself... which causes his mother to reevaluate her beliefs about homosexuality.]]

* AbusiveParents: Mary, arguably (film being unique in that the film is partly from her point of view). She forces her religion down her children's throats, in particular Bobby, who she calls "sick" and "perverted" for being gay, trying to 'convert' him. Her actions [[spoiler: drive her son to suicide]]. However, Mary genuinely cares for her children and begins seriously questioning her church's interpretation of Scripture after [[spoiler: Bobby's death]]. In the end, she accepts that her earlier beliefs were wrong and tries to [[TheAtoner make amends]].
** Given what we have seen of Bobby's very angry, mean, verbally abusive, homophobic (to the point of declaring that gay people should be genocide-ed) maternal grandmother at her birthday party and at Bobby's funeral (where she tells Mary to stop grieving and focus on the guests), it seems that Mary is also on the receiving end of this trope.

* CureYourGays: Mary Griffith's strategy, [[spoiler:which drives her son to suicide.]]

* TheEighties: Where most of the story, including Bobby's suicide takes place, there is even talk about AIDS.

* TheSeventies: When the story starts, actually at the very end where men have shaggy hair and there was a move from bell bottoms to straight leg.

* ParentsArePeople: A tragic example with Robert and Mary Griffith, they love their children for sure but either have trouble really expressing that love, accepting their children for who they are, or escape to the bottle.

* AbusiveParents: Mary, arguably. She forces her religion down her children's throats, in particular Bobby, who she calls "sick" and "perverted" for being gay, trying to 'convert' him. Her actions [[spoiler: drive her son to suicide]]. However, Mary genuinely cares for her children and begins seriously questioning her church's interpretation of Scripture after [[spoiler: Bobby's death]]. In the end, she accepts that her earlier beliefs were wrong and tries to [[TheAtoner make amends]].

* HeelRealization: Mary Griffith has one [[spoiler: after Bobby kills himself]]..

* TheEighties: Where most of the story, including Bobby's suicide takes place, there is even talk about AIDs.

* AnAesop: Parents, telling your child that he/she is inherently sinful because he/she is gay is bad, and may drive your child to suicide.

A 2009 Lifetime movie based on the true story of Bobby Griffith.

%%* DrivenToSuicide: [[spoiler: Bobby.]]
* {{Gayngst}}
* HeelRealization: Mary Griffith.

* CaliforniaDoubling: Actually, in this case, ''Michigan'' doubling. Ferndale (a suburb of Detroit) stands in for the suburbs of Portland (the one in Oregon).

Bobby is 18 years old, lives with his loving family, goes to church, and... is gay. When his mother finds out, she attempts to cure Bobby with prayers and psychiatric help.

[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/prayersforbobby.jpg]]

* [[spoiler: DrivenToSuicide: Bobby.]]

* RedemptionQuest: Mary Griffith, who became a gay rights activist after Bobby's death.

* CureYourGays: Mary Griffith's strategy, which drives her son to suicide.

* HeyItsThatGuy: The coordinator for the gay center Mary attends is played by Dan Butler, {{Frasier}}'s Bulldog Briscoe.

Some people might find the movie to be rather heavy handed, but one must also keep in mind that this is actually TruthInTelevision in many cases, including this one.

Some people might find the movie to be rather heavy handed, but one must also keep in mind that this is is actually TruthInTelevision in many cases, including this one.

* DrivenToSuicide: Bobby.