Title: A Street Cat Named Bob
Director: Roger Spottiswoode
Starring: Bob, Luke Treadaway, Ruta Gedmintas, Joanne Froggatt, Anthony Head.

‘A Street Cat Named Bob’ is based on the same-title international best selling book, which is not about Tennessee Williams’ kitty. This is the true inspirational story of how James Bowen, a homeless recovering drug addict, had his life transformed when he met a stray ginger cat: Bob.

The British-Canadian film director Roger Spottiswoode, had a number of action acclaimed movies under his belt such as the 1997 James Bond ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ starring Pierce Brosnan and science-fiction ‘The 6th Day’ starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. His latest film is more about the intimate journey of a drug addict who gets back on his feet thanks to the fact  he has the responsibility of another life, that of his pet.

James Bowen’s real story is gently portrayed by Olivier Award-winning actor Luke Treadaway. He is incredibly powerful in conveying the protagonist’s struggle with addiction, his time spent on the streets, in shelters and supported housing. Treadaway is raw and authentic in the way he shares his hard times with support worker Val (Joanne Froggatt who some will recognise as Downton Abbey’s Anna Bates), is smitten by the eccentric and sweet Betty (Ruta Gedmintas), tries to reconnect with his aloof father (Anthony Head) and is friendly with all the people in the street who stop and listen to his duo performance with his beloved feline.

Whoever has a four-legged friend will empathetically enjoy the vision of ‘A Street Cat Named Bob.’ The bond we have with our pets is magical, since it builds up through routine, paralanguage, kinesics, and living together…ask James and Bob.

Technical: B
Acting: A
Story: B+
Overall: B+
Written by: Chiara Spagnoli Gabardi