This film is based on a true story from the 1980s. The hero is Bobby Griffith, a 17 year old teenager, and the most favored child in his family. He lives with his parents, three siblings and grandma in Walnut Creek, a beautiful town in California.
The peaceful life of this happy and traditional family is suddenly broken by Bobby's sexuality. Mary Griffith, his strong mother is a devout Christian. She believes being gay is a sin and that gay people will go to hell. Due to her conviction, she tries every effort to change Bobby's sexuality. She does not think about accepting and helping her son. You can imagine Bobby's helplessness and fear. He feels ashamed to be gay, but like nothing can change.
Bobby has a wonderful time with his boyfriend David in another town. David is luckier than Bobby, his parents accept his sexuality. David encourages Bobby to change Mary's mind. But it doesn't work. Bobby faces two choices: go back home as a "normal" man or leave the family. In the end, the family refusal and David's betrayal makes Bobby give up on himself. He jumps from a bridge and dies.
Bobby's death is like the explosion of a bomb in his family. His mother cannot let it go for several months. She finds Bobby's diary, and she feels deep regret and remorse. With this tragedy, Mary finally really understands her son and other gay people. She becomes a famous fighter in the gay rights movement in the US. I understand she also tries to save and help more young lives like her Bobby.
The Bible asks people to be kind and tolerant. Bobby may still be alive if society in the 1980s was more supportive and accepting of gay people. Looking back, gay rights have been become more important and focused in the past 30 years. Many milestones have been established and achieved with the efforts of many Bobbys and Marys. They should be respected by society.
The peaceful life of this happy and traditional family is suddenly broken by Bobby's sexuality. Mary Griffith, his strong mother is a devout Christian. She believes being gay is a sin and that gay people will go to hell. Due to her conviction, she tries every effort to change Bobby's sexuality. She does not think about accepting and helping her son. You can imagine Bobby's helplessness and fear. He feels ashamed to be gay, but like nothing can change.
Bobby has a wonderful time with his boyfriend David in another town. David is luckier than Bobby, his parents accept his sexuality. David encourages Bobby to change Mary's mind. But it doesn't work. Bobby faces two choices: go back home as a "normal" man or leave the family. In the end, the family refusal and David's betrayal makes Bobby give up on himself. He jumps from a bridge and dies.
Bobby's death is like the explosion of a bomb in his family. His mother cannot let it go for several months. She finds Bobby's diary, and she feels deep regret and remorse. With this tragedy, Mary finally really understands her son and other gay people. She becomes a famous fighter in the gay rights movement in the US. I understand she also tries to save and help more young lives like her Bobby.
The Bible asks people to be kind and tolerant. Bobby may still be alive if society in the 1980s was more supportive and accepting of gay people. Looking back, gay rights have been become more important and focused in the past 30 years. Many milestones have been established and achieved with the efforts of many Bobbys and Marys. They should be respected by society.