Sigourney Weaver plays a torn mother in the heartwrenching "Prayers for Bobby."

Often I receive copies of pre-screeners for all sorts of films and shows looking for basically free advertising. Many of these films are very worthy of our efforts and I have plans to expand our reviews of movies so we can include as many as we can for you to consider viewing or purchasing. When the screener for "Prayers for Bobby" came across my desk something told me to make sure I watched it. I am glad I did. It would be easy to declare this film to be a "Must see," but that would be an egregious understatement. I consider this to be one of the most influential movies I have ever seen in my life, period. Why? Because of all the things we are exposed to which are in need of awareness and action, this is one that you can actually do something about simply by watching the film.

"Prayers for Bobby" is the true story about Mary Griffith, and the death of her son, Bobby. Originally written in book form, Lifetime Networks acknowledged the overwhelming need to bring this story to its viewers. In "Prayers for Bobby," Mary Griffith (played by Sigourney Weaver) is a devout Christian who raised her children within the conservative teachings of her Presbyterian church. But when her gay son Bobby (played by Ryan Kelley) confides to his older brother that he may be gay, life drastically changes for the entire family after Mary learns about the secret. While Bobby's father and siblings slowly come to terms with his homosexuality, Mary believes God can cure him of what she considers, based on the teachings of her church, his sins and persuades Bobby to pray harder and seek solace in church activities in hopes of changing him. Desperate for his mother's approval, Bobby does what is asked of him but through it all the church's apparent disapproval of homosexuality causes him to grow increasingly withdrawn and depressed.

Guilty over the pain he is causing his mother; Bobby moves away, yet hopes that some day his mother will accept him. His subsequent depression and self-loathing intensifies as he blames himself for not being the ‘perfect' son and is driven to suicide. Faced with the tragedy, Mary begins to question her faith or at least the teachings of her church regarding homosexuality. When she receives no answers from her pastor concerning her devastating loss she begins looking for her own answers. Through her long and emotional journey, Mary slowly reaches out to the gay community and discovers unexpected support from a very unlikely source.

The statistics are compelling: Suicide is one of the three top causes of death among 15 to 24 year olds (2006 National Adolescent Health Information): Suicide is the second leading cause of death for college students (2008 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention): and, most disturbing, gay youth are up to 4 times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers (Massachusetts 2006 Youth Risk Survey).

Unless you truly do not have a soul, have no heart, and are completely devoid of any ability to feel compassion for your fellow man, you can not watch these fine actors teach us about what it must be like for everyone involved in a family facing these situations, and not be moved to tears no matter what your beliefs are regarding homosexuality. And therein lies how you can help make a change simply by watching. Open your eyes, your ears, your minds, and your hearts will follow. The movie ends leaving you with a feeling of just how easily it would have been to prevent Bobby from killing himself. Then you realize how real-life the problem is and how a simple change in how society thinks would have saved him. How simply it can be done in real life as well. Approximately 1700 gay youth loose their lives to despair every year. One is too many.

"Prayers for Bobby" airs January 24th at 9pm et/pt on the Lifetime Network. Make sure you make the time to watch it. Record it, Tivo it, do whatever it takes. If you know someone who needs to see it, a potential victim, a parent, anyone who needs to see it, get them to watch or show them a copy. If you know someone who needs to see it but have no way to get it to them, contact me and I will find a way for you to get a copy. One teen suicide is too many. Will you help us save the next one?