Bringing Up Bobby (2012)

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

"I just don't want Bobby to end up like me and you." Olive (Jovovich) is a single mother/con-artist who is trying her best to raise her son Bobby as best as she can. Bobby starts to act up in class but Olive doesn't see anything wrong with what Bobby does. When a freak accident causes Kent (Pullman) to come into their lives Bobby has a chance at a better life, but Olive has a choice to make. This is not a bad movie at all but it is another movie that has a lot of heart but really nothing else. It's not a total nothing movie because there is a plot but it has the feel of a movie that is just made in order to spend money. I'm not saying that this is a bad movie because I did enjoy it and it was a decent watch, but don't expect anything that will make you think. There really is nothing else to say about this other then that. Overall, a decent watch but nothing amazing. I give it a B-.

I saw Famke Janssen on a panel with Nicole Kidman at the Nashville Film Festival. Mrs. Janssen was well spoken and impressive so I thought I would see her film. It's very strange but wonderful. The idea of it is great; a Ukrainian woman who grew up on American movies and hustles her way through Oklahoma, using those movies as the basis for her understanding of the American dream. American cinema clearly shapes foreigner's view of who we are, which was an interesting theme to see the director explore. Throughout Bringing Up Bobby, Mila Jovivich uses quotes from some of the greatest movies of all time time, movies that clearly shaped her opinion about America. I caught some references (I think) from Gone With the Wind, China Town and Bonnie and Clyde. I am sure there are others in there as well that I missed. But for movie buffs, that was a fun aspect of the film.The reality is that Bringing Up Bobby is almost two separate movies. The first half of the film feels like a slapstick, easy going and over the top homage to the 1930s, while the second half feels like a 1970's film. The second half is very gritty and more realistic. One can argue with the outcome of such an effort, but the ambition is certainly there for this 1st time director. It's always nice to see an independent film take risks and think outside the box. Bobby tried to do that and sometimes it succeeds and sometimes it falls short. Where it falls short is really on the acting. I agree with some of the other comments about Mrs. Jovovich's performance, as it is a little uneven and I felt like in the first part of the film especially, you could see the acting. She did a much better job during the second part of the film when she had to be emotional and the action required a visceral reaction from her.The music in this film is really fantastic, book marked on the one end by Ukrainian/Russian folk songs and on the other with real Americana music.The movie doesn't completely succeed but I applaud the effort and look forward to seeing what Mrs. Janssen does next.

Leaving the theater I was still emotional from this film. It took an hour or so after the film was over for me to recover. Milla J. has at least one scene in this film that will rip your guts out. Marcia Cross is also surprisingly tender and delivers an incredible supporting performance while Rory Cochrane is so much fun that you are dying to see more. Famke's directorial debut is of her own screenplay. The story is poignant and the scenery in this film is refreshing. She humbly pays homage to past eras and filmmakers that influence her in a fashion that will appeal to the most calloused critic while presenting a wide appeal. It delivers a respectful nod to an honored filmmaking heritage that serves her story so well while remaining relevant. That is delicate artistry.Milla J. plays an Eastern European Con artist that is struggling to raise her American born son with little more than her looks and the charisma she developed watching gangsters in American films. When the veneer finally falls off watch out! Milla delivers! As she throws in the towel on her criminal ways one thread at a time one can't help but find a way to relate to the struggles she and her son are faced with. Spencer List gives a great performance as Bobby. Keep an ear out for songs from Milla and the Flaming Lips as well. Nothing is arbitrary in this film. I cannot wait to see her next creation!

I specially register myself at IMDb just to write review on this movie. I happen to watch this movie by random and I found it is a nice movie. A very touching movie showing the greatest love from a mother to a son. I was shocked too when coming to know this movie took 20 days to complete shooting. However, it came out as a good movie. I think is quite a low budget movie but the story line is great compare to many other movie. This is a movie of a single mother with her lovely son. It is reality to see many single mother today having hard time trying to give the best to their child. So whoever is raised by single parent, please watch this movie and show your appreciation to them. I love how Milla act in this movie. Spencer List did a cool acting too! Great movie after all...