"Bobby" is one of the biggest movie dissapointments in recent memory

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 11:19am

I saw a special screening of this movie over the weekend (it opens on Thanksgiving) and I am extremely sorry to report that a film that once had such undeniable Oscar-buzz is the biggest letdown in recent memory. It is cloyingly sentimental at times and although he means well and tries his hardest, Emilio Estevez's direction is too heavy-handed and uneventful. With a star-studded ensemble (Sharon Stone, Lindsay Lohan, Helen Hunt, Laurence Fishburne, Elijah Wood, Anthony Hopkins, Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, Joshua Jackson, William H. Macy, Heather Graham, Harry Belafonte, Christian Slater, Freddy Rodriguez, and Estevez himself), it's sad that not one of them really stands out. They all seem so bogged down by the film's run-of-the-mill script (which is literally written like a mediocre TV movie) and bland direction. The best performances, though, do come from the film's female cast. Linday Lohan gives her best performance ever, Helen Hunt is very good, Demi Moore is quite stunning, and Sharon Stone is the film's best asset. She is the movie's best chance at an Oscar nod. Stone is mesmerizing. The rest of the cast (particularly the men who are all just alright) never even attempt to push themselves to the limit and make the moments in which they are acting seem real. Worst of all, however, is Heather Graham. She has to be the worst actress working in Hollywood today. Sometimes I wonder if she and Keanau Reeves (the worst ACTOR in Hollywood) are related. She is absolutley terrible, although, it was expected that she would in fact be awful. It's sad to see a film with such a great cast and wonderful premise fall apart right before your eyes (the beginning of the film is promising as is the end holding up an otherwise boring film). It will probably get nominated for quite a few Golden Globes but as far as the Oscars, Stone is the film's best bet and I don't think even she will manage to pick up a nomination.

*1/2 (one and a half) out of ****
C-
Updated On: 11/20/06 at 11:19 AM

[Calvin]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 11:21am

Not-Siskel and Not-Ebert both gave it thumbs up, but it was a pretty tepid recommendation.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 11:39am

As if "Written by, Directed by and Starring Emilio Estevez" didn't give you a clue?

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 11:40am

"although he means well and tries his hardest"

Don't most people, really? What does that have to do with the result?

[xxnewgirlxx]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 11:41am

But Freddy Rodriguez is in it! I love him so. I guess it's a Netflix for the future.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 11:47am

What has Freddie Rodriguez done besides Six Feet? He was alright on that show, but never really given much to do more than what anyone on General Hospital or All My Children do every day.

[DAME]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 12:35pm

The movie was mediocre and all the "names" in it gave it a Love Boat quality to it. I was disappointed.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 12:38pm

Dame, that is what they said on Ebert and Roeper "Less Nashville and more like Love Boat."

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 12:44pm

Is Ebert actually writing again, or is it still "Roeper and Guest Critic?"

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 12:50pm

Last I saw it, it was Roeper and Aisha Taylor. Ebert she is not. I saw the Bobby trailer and it is a scattered mess that left me with no interest in the film. I knew there were 1,000 stars in it, but it made no linear sense. I had a sense it would be crappy. Plus, Lohan is the most prevalent actor in the trailer. No thank ya.

I saw an interview with Lohan weeks ago before the film was out and the interviewer asked her about her Oscar buzz surrounding the film and I just chuckled having just seen the trailer for "For Your Consideration."

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 12:56pm

Still "Guest Critic."

And what I meant about Estevez trying his hardest was that although he fails, his efforts are clear. It is obvious that he worked hard on the movie and you can see it throughout.

[Anakela]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 1:03pm

I wasn't as disappointed as others here- I didn't think it was the best. film. evah. or anything, but I thought it was ok- the script could have used some work, and it was a little distracting with the 'oh, lookit we have this star, and now we have this star' casting of it, (and Ashton Kutcher- seriously??), but there were some great performances on that screen (Sharon Stone- wow!) and there were a few weeping people in the audience around me, and it made me want to learn a little more about the man himself, and I didn't want to get those two hours of my life back or anything (I'm looking at you Babel!), and all in all it was a fun free night at the movies.

[Raviolisun]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 5:57pm

I really hope your wrong, although I fear you're not.

Nice review.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 6:21pm

If only it REALLY had a Love Boat feel... I would SO be there.

Bobby... Starring Carol Channing, Charro, Debbie Reynolds, Tom Bosley and Gary Coleman!



I think they're touting "Bobby" for an Oscar because half the voting members of the Academy are in it.

That worked before with Around the World in 80 Days. If you put all of them in the movie, it'll win.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 6:53pm

Guaranteed that Larry King will love it. There is no movie he does not like

Updated On: 11/20/06 at 06:53 PM

[broadway86]

Posted: 11/20/06 at 7:14pm

Linday Lohan gives her best performance ever

Good to hear. She's a talented actress.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 12:24pm

"Not-Siskel and Not-Ebert both gave it thumbs up, but it was a pretty tepid recommendation."

Roeper gave it thumbs up, but the other guy didn't.

[StephenSondheimWHOO]

Posted: 11/25/06 at 10:35pm

Just got back. I don't understand why no one likes it. I thought it was great! Fantastic performances, I loved each plot, it had a great message. I thought it had something for everyone, comedy, romance, drama.

[Jon]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 7:47am

Consider the fact that this thread was started by "WickedRocks".

I liked it a lot. I think Freddy Rodriguez might get a Supporting Oscar nomination. I can also see a nomination for Editing.

Not Best Picture material - but then, what is? I haven't seen anything so far this year that screams "Obvous Best Picture Nominee".

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 10:15am

Looks like this is an "wait until free cable" viewing

[blueroses]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 11:47am

Funny. I went to see this only because my sister really wanted me to go with her. I really though it was going to suck (not an Estevez fan) and was surprised that I wound up liking it a hell of a lot more than I thought I would!

I loved Freddy Rodriguez, and there is a beautiful scene he shares with Laurence Fishburne that I particularly enjoyed. It's not without its flaws, but there are moments I found to be very moving, and it was worth going to see the incredible, inspirational footage of RFK...maybe the greatest president that never was. Emilio Estevez didn't make a perfect movie, but his love for and belief in his subject really comes through. I appreciated his passion, and I think he succeeded more than he failed.

Warning...Helen Hunt is really, really hard on the eyes. WTF happened to her?

I saw two movies this weekend. Bobby and For Your Consideration. I'm a huge Christopher Guest fan, and the latter disappointed the hell out of me! I can't believe I liked Bobby--the movie I had no desire to see in the first place--so much more.

Updated On: 11/26/06 at 11:47 AM

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 1:03pm

I agree.

it was an awful picture. Preachy and poorly done.

Althought Elijah Wood is tres cute

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 11/26/06 at 1:08pm

Lindsay Lohan, Ashton Kutcher, and Heather Graham in the same picture??? Well, shoot, just stick needles in my eyes while youre at it.

Updated On: 11/26/06 at 01:08 PM