A STREET CAT NAMED BOB (2016)

Genre: Drama
Director: Roger Spottiswoode
Cast: Bob the Cat, Luke Treadaway, Joanne Froggatt, Ruta Gedminta, Anthony Head
Runtime: 1 hr 43 mins
Rating: PG13 (Some Drug References and Some Coarse Language)
Released By: Shaw 
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 1 December 2016

Synopsis: When James Bowen found an injured, ginger street cat curled up in the hallway of his sheltered accommodation, he had no idea just how much his life was about to change. James was living hand to mouth on the streets of London and the last thing he needed was a pet. Yet James couldn't resist helping the strikingly intelligent tom cat, whom he quickly christened Bob. He slowly nursed Bob back to health and then sent the cat on his way, imagining he would never see him again. But Bob had other ideas. Soon the two were inseparable and their diverse, comic and occasionally dangerous adventures would transform both their lives, slowly healing the scars of each other's troubled past.

Movie Review:

Pardon this reviewer for being a Scrooge, but just how many heartwarming movies about animals can one watch before swearing them off all of them for eternity? Old timers will fondly remember 1943’s Lassie Come Home and 1957’s Old Yeller, while middle aged movie goers (if they haven’t become cynical) will recall the warm and fuzzy feeling when they watched Babe (1995) and The Horse Whisperer (1998). The younger folks would know 2003’s Seabiscuit, 2008’s Marley and Me, as well as 2009’s Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (based on a 1987 Japanese film).

The abovementioned titles aren’t exhaustive, and you can probably name a few other movies which made moved you deeply. Furthermore, most of them are based on real life events, which make the tales even more family friendly and emotionally engaging. So how is this British production different from the rest, and how will it impact your senses?

The movie’s human protagonist is a homeless and a recovering drug addict who isn’t having the best of luck. Although he is given his own flat by his social support worker, he has to struggle to make ends meet by busking to unappreciative passers by. Things change when a ginger cat comes into his kitchen – thinking that it may be a stray animal, he attempts to bring it back to the streets. Of course, as any heartwarming animal movie would have it, the two(the cat is named Bob at this point in time) form a tight bond and things begin to look better for the out of luck bloke.

Yes, the story written by Tim John and Maria Nation is, as you’d guess it – based on a true story. British Canadian film director Roger Spottiswoode (Tomorrow Never Dies, The Children of Huang Shi) helms this wholesome movie based on James Bowen’s novel of the same name.

British actor Luke Treadway (who looks a lot like standup comedian Russell Brand) portrays Bowen, and it is a good thing that the 32 year old is a singer in real life as well because the role requires him to sing quite a bit. Maybe it’s the scruffy looking dude’s English charm, but there is an unpretentious sweetness about the character that will grow on viewers. You will feel for the street musician and hope that things will turn out good for him.

Of course, when Bob comes into the picture, everything becomes upliftingly encouraging. Why would anyone not go “aww” seeing a guy giving his pet cat a high five, or letting it sit on his shoulders? The element of grittiness is introduced when you see Bowen go through cold turkey to fight his addiction, and how he eventually recovers, probably with the positive energy from Bob.

While the supporting characters played by Joanne Froggatt, Ruta Gedminta and Anthony Head are not particularly memorable, the reliable English cast delivers a fine job without taking the limelight away from Treadway and of course, Bob.

This is a movie about a man and his cat, and how the two individuals are there for each other. We’d like to think that it will be especially affecting when you watch it during one of those down and out days.

Movie Rating:

(A feel good family friendly movie you'll enjoy, especially if you're a cat lover!)

Review by John LI