A Love Song for Bobby Long (2004)
John Travolta, Scarlett Johansson, Gabriel Macht
A misfit drama in the grand Southern (by way of Hollywood) tradition, A Love Song for Bobby Long takes its cue from Carson McCullers's The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter. Re-establishing his indie-cred, John Travolta adds Bobby Long to his gallery of colorful characters. Hobbled by an infect... (read more) A misfit drama in the grand Southern (by way of Hollywood) tradition, A Love Song for Bobby Long takes its cue from Carson McCullers's The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter. Re-establishing his indie-cred, John Travolta adds Bobby Long to his gallery of colorful characters. Hobbled by an infected toe, the 50-something Bobby is a white-haired, unshaven, vodka-soaked mess. But hes also a former English professor, and the piles of books in his ramshackle house, and the authors he drunkenly quotes give him a wounded dignity. Just how wounded will be revealed over the course of this atmospheric tale of redemption and penance. Bobby lives with Lawson Pines (Gabriel Macht), his former teaching assistant who is writing a book about his mentor, a project deferred by drinking, sitting around with the locals, or engaging in quotation oneupsmanship. Scarlett Johansson (Lost in Translation, Ghost World) holds her own against Travolta ("You are such a shameless ham," she chastises the loquacious Bobby) as Pursy, the estranged daughter of Lorraine, a recently deceased singer-songwriter in whose house Bobby and Lawson reside. A battle of wills between the two men and the headstrong young girl gives way to the formation of a tentative family unit. Pursy agrees to return to high school if Bobby and Lawson quit drinking. There will be the expected revelations, recriminations, and dramatic confrontations, but what makes this Love Songresonate are the performances by a cast that rarely hits a false note. --Donald Liebenson
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R
Directed by:
Shainee Gabel
Release Date: Dec 29, 2004
DVD Release Date: Feb 22, 2005
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Flixster User Reviews
I really liked this movie, thought it was great! Yes it did get sappy at the end but I forgave it because the music was great and so was the acting!!
The film started in the right direction but lost its focus. The contrived and predictable plot is easily noticeable half way through, and the sudden revelation at the end comes off as cheap and manipulative.
I thought this movie was great, shocked me in the end, John Travolta was super, great job that Scarlett Johansson did, also Gabriel
Macht, I really like his films, and the story line was also great. You have to see it and you will think the same.
Great story about John Travolta as the alcoholic ex-professor in New Orleans living day to day, and the entry of Scarlett Johansson as the daughter of a just-dead female friend. A brilliant portrait of New Orleans and good acting from all.
one of my all-time favorites. Excellent writing. John Travolta's performace is phenominal and has great heart. cinematography is beautiful and really captures the beauty of the story.
Critic Reviews
A Love Song for Bobby Long's trio of lead performances are surprisingly believable.full review
It's remarkable to listen to dialogue that assumes the audience is well-read.full review
A Love Song for Bobby Long works hard to give quirk a bad name.full review
Poor John Travolta acts his award-craving heart out, practically begging for acclaim.full review
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