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Bobby
Directed by: Emilio Estevez
Starring: William H. Macy
Genre:
Drama
Run Time: 120
min.
Release Date:
November 2006
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
BOBBY is one of
those films that catches you by surprise. You already know the outcome;
you know the history behind Bobby Kennedy’s assassination and where and
when it’ll happen. But this film has such intensity that you might find
yourself holding your breath or covering your eyes (as I did when the
fateful moment crept up).
Actor Emilio Estevez would probably be the last person on Earth that one
would associate with a project like this, yet Estevez plops himself
behind the camera as director and shoots a film with such power as to
shake the foundations of movie making. This isn’t throwing accolades
where it isn’t deserved either. I’m no fan of Estevez and found many of
his film’s lacking (from the terrible MIGHTY DUCKS series to the
YOUNG GUNS ones). But Estevez must have had a certain itch that
told him to make this film — and do it well — because he’s created a
solid gold cinematic experience.
And Hollywood turned out en masse to support it. Receiving the award for
Ensemble Cast of the Year (2006) at the Hollywood Film Festival,
Estevez grouped some of the industry’s finest actors and pulled them
together in the most successful manner imaginable. From Harry Belafonte
and Anthony Hopkins (THE WORLD'S FASTEST INDIAN) to Martin Sheen
(THE DEPARTED)
and Helen Hunt to William H. Macy (EDMOND) and Sharon Stone to Elijah
Wood (LORD OF THE RINGS) and Lindsey Lohan to Laurence Fishburne (AKEELAH
AND THE BEE) and Freddy Rodriguez (LADY IN THE WATER) — just to touch
the tip of this acting iceberg — the film has talent galore. Undoubtedly
this added to the success of the movie. Even with this cast and the
story’s amazing telling, the film was nominated at various festivals and
awards ceremonies but won few of them. To this day it boggles my mind
why this movie didn’t walk off with more trophies.
Regardless, it has cemented its place as a work of astounding
proportions (with only one real fault, which we’ll cover momentarily).
For those who don’t know their history, this is the story of the 1968
assassination of Bobby Kennedy at The Ambassador Hotel during his
presidential run. The hotel is the focus since this is where it all
begins and ends for the unfortunate Senator (and his millions of
supporters). Sirhan, Sirhan destroyed the man (literally) with a bullet
to the head in the hotel’s kitchen. But before that, there were the men
and women of the hotel and their lives, and how the assassination
affected them all. From the lowly dishwasher to the door greeter. From
newlyweds trying to avoid the Vietnam experience to a husband and wife
rediscovering themselves. From Kennedy’s campaign manager to the black
man who would be his transportation advisor. All of them came tumbling
down with that final, fatal bullet echoing through the now absent
Ambassador Hotel (it has since been torn down and a high school put in
its place).
It is to Estevez’s credit that he was allowed to film a few short scenes
in the actual hotel before the wrecking ball took it down. The
demolition crew held off its plans for a few days to allow Estevez and
his team unfettered access to several locations within The Ambassador.
Obviously they supported what he was trying to do (as did his ensemble
cast).
One wouldn’t think that something so well known (Bobby’s assasination)
could hold such power so many decades after its events but, there you
go, that’s great film making. Leading up to that horrible night I found
myself cringing, even dreading, that moment when Kennedy enters the
hotel. Watching Sirhan Sirhan enter it made me cover my eyes, because I
just couldn’t stand it! No! Not again! Estevez is to be commended for
instilling that dread in full force.
But dread isn’t the only message. Indeed, it isn’t even the
message.
Hope. It is hope that springs finally from the movie’s machinations.
Hope that Bobby’s message of a united country shall not perish. Hope
that his supporters (as well as his message) live the life he intended.
And hope that this film might find its way into your DVD player so that
you can remember what Bobby was all about.
The only negative aspect to the film is its title. Although Bobby was
the driving force, most of the film’s time was given over to the inside
aspects of the hotel itself (and its people). Perhaps a more proper
title would’ve been The Ambassador or some such thing. But this is my
only complaint. The rest of the film is unbelievably excellent.
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Image from Bobby
DVD cost: $11.34
Purchase:
Tower.com
Film Review Stew
Favorite? Yes.
Stew Poo-Poo? No..
Newsworthy:
The Ambassador Hotel was
being torn down as the film crew shot on the property.
Movie Quote: "Senator
Kennedy. Welcome to the Ambassador Hotel."
Other Actors/Actresses
from Bobby
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