A Love Song for Bobby Long

I attended a screening of this film. Travolta came to do a Q & A after the film ended. It was a small screening room in Tribeca. Out of courtesy to him I did not walk out which I wanted to do. This is film-making at its worst. To start the script was poorly written. The writer writes in one voice. The dialogue was stilted and clichéd. How this writer/director got Scarlet Johansen, John Travolta and Lions Gate Entertainment to back her on this is the only brilliant thing she accomplished in this fiasco. I do in fact recommend this film to all aspiring screenwriters, directors and filmmakers. Because when you are told that you are wasting your time and it will be impossible for you to reach your goals. Hey...just look at this crap and say to yourself...if they can make this then anythings poosible. PS- Travolta did a great Q&A though...he was at ease, spoke freely and was a down to earth nice guy. The director/writer stood on the sidelines. When John tried to engage her in the conversation she stood back like a piece of wood and never joined in. I looked at her and I thought...how was this person able to successfully "pitch" to agents, studio execs, top talent ...when she can't open her mouth at a screening of her own film. The conclusion from a few of us in attendance was that she must have strong family connections in the business. After you watch this you should follow it with Guy Ritchie's zero star masterpiece "Swept Away" with the most unintentionally funny and worst performance by wife Madonna. She's so bad and looks so bad in this film I figure this was her his way of getting back at her for all the abuse he takes from her at home.

I don't usually write in, but I enjoyed the film so much I wanted to go on record. This movie is great, it looks great, the performances are great and its direction is great. It introduces you to a life you don't know but have always felt could be yours, living on the edge just outside of the bubble. The characters become your friends, you get to know them and understand them. John, Scarlet and Gabriel did a fantastic job. I don't want to give anything away but you really feel for them. You become angry, frustrated and sad just to name a few of the emotions covered. This is a true drama. Everything brings you into this world from the dialog, to the way it was shot, to the music. Layer upon layer, folding you in only letting you go when the end credits role. WOW, nice flipp'in job Dude!

This film simply tries too hard to be a gritty, film-noir type character study and, while it succeeds on some levels, it mostly falls flat. First off, the things I liked.... Scarlett Johansson and newcomer Gabriel Macht give nice performances, and the sexual tension between them is palpable (though a bit forced at times.) The use of "The City That Care Forgot" (New Orleans) as a backdrop is possibly the best thing about the film; it is a character unto itself and adds immeasurably to the overall feel of the film. As for the things that could have been improved upon, I saw the movie's major "revelation" coming at me, literally, in the first five minutes (and I'm not one who usually picks up on movie twists ahead of time.) Also, as big of a Travolta fan as I am, I still have to say that he imbues his character with the worst Southern accent ever heard on celluloid. In general, the movie just seems to ramble on and on without much going for it but a good look and some decent acting.

Greetings again from the darkness. A good story overcomes many flaws for a movie and this is a prime example. Inconsistent direction by Shainee Gabel and a weak Cajun accent by John Travolta did not ruin what I found to be very interesting subject matter. Although we never see the local legend, Lorraine, her impact on this strange troupe of characters is beyond question. Watching Scarlett Johansson's quest to unlock her mother's mystique (and her own history) proved very enjoyable for this viewer. Johansson's Purcy Will (named after a weed) is both head strong and independent, while vulnerable and eager. Travolta's iconic Bobby Long and the even-keeled Gabriel Macht are nothing more than alcoholic shells of men who trade literature quotes when Purcy pops into their lives. Much of this is predictable and the flavor that is New Orleans plays a huge part of the feel of the film. Although the novel was difficult to bring to the screen, and improvements could have been made, this film should find an audience. Johansson may a bit "old" for this role (at the ripe age of 20) but her acting skills continue to grow and I love that she is always up for a challenge. She should be fun to watch for years to come.

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A Love Song for Bobby Long

It has the limit of showing a collection of American clichés about literature, Deep South and alcoholism but gives an immense sense of place even to people like me, who saw Southern US only as tourists and for a short time. Many critics, recognizing the movie is well shot and acted, considered it a book of literature quotations, but with such a talented John Travolta and with Scarlett Johansson in a very good shape the final opinion is that the picture is definitely above -average. The theme of difficult parents and neglected children is handled with thoughtfulness and tactfulness; I would only have expected a less predictable ending, that's maybe the only flaw...

This is one of the most gratifying films I have seen in a long time. It has distinct characters, a thoroughly engaging story, beautiful cinematography, and wonderful performances. John Travolta has not performed like this in years. It reminded me of what a great actor he is when he really puts his mind to it. Scarlett Johannson is better than she has ever been because this is the juiciest role she has played to date and she does it flawlessly. Gabriel Macht (who I was unaware of) gives a wonderful performance as well. The music is amazing. I heard they're trying to rush a soundtrack out. If you want to be captivated and moved with a few laughs in between, go see this movie.

Just a nice little movie. I really did not dislike any of it. It was just nice. I thought the characters were nice and most importantly the movie did not make judgements on any of them, even though two of the main characters were alchoholics. The acting was good and I am surprised nobody got at least an Oscar nod. I also liked the locale and the music. It is funny because when this movie was out, I had never heard of it. I don't think it got the publicity that normal John travolta movies get. I also thought it was sad and eerie seeing New Orleans locales before Hurricane Katrina. Anyway, good movie.