Ok, I admit I went a bit crazy in taking screen snapshots for this review. One of those rare films I feel improved for me on the second viewing. The story is about misfits in New Orleans, some of the themes are friendship, growing up, being a writer, and alcoholism. The screenplay is based on the novel Off Magazine Street by Ronald Everett Capps.
My favourite scene is when Scarlett Johansson spends the day in the airport reading, together with the beautiful song in the background can bring a tear to my eye.
The film really makes New Orleans look so beautiful and I felt like jumping on a plane and visiting. Though watching this indie makes you feel like you are already there. Credit must be given to cinematographer Elliot Davis for creating the atmosphere. Interestingly, Davis was also responsible for the cinematography in the first Twilight film, which I visually liked quite a bit.
Oh, and you get to see John Travolta dancing! An atypical role for Travolta, some of the best acting I’ve ever seen by him, should have been nominated. The film was not given much love by critics, and didn't do well at the box office. Maybe it will gain a cult following on dvd? One of the negative reviews pointed out Johansson and Macht are both too gym-toned and poised for their loser characters.
I like the little details sprinkled into the story, which you have to pause the movie to properly notice. Has some quotes from different writers that can give you food for thought.
In the behind the scenes documentary on the dvd, director/writer Shainee Gabel says the city of New Orleans was the inspiration for making the film, the beauty of decay. Every few blocks there was a church and a corner bar with regulars, and a great tradition of oral history that they would tell you their life story. She thinks romanticism has become an illness for the broken character Bobby Long (Travolta), books, and writing have become more beautiful, exciting and romantic than his real life, and his problem with alcohol feeds that. Bobby has created a fantasy world about what he is and what he was, to the point where he’s forgotten what he’s lost, and he’s forgotten what was important to him. In the movie he is forced to remember, which is both a happy and painful experience.
The director thinks that washed-up Lawson Pines (Gabriel Macht with the beard in the screen shots above) is someone who doesn’t have a lot of confidence, who didn’t grow up with a lot of support, and when he grew up, he had a professor who took an interest in his career and cared (Bobby Long).
As Roger Ebert notes, its unusual to see an American film take its time, and remarkable to listen to dialogue that assumes the audience is well-read.
IMDB
Rottentomatoes
Readers, any thoughts on A LOVE SONG FOR BOBBY LONG ?
You've convinced me. I'm going to check this one out. I'm kind of on a Scarlet Johansson kick. I just watched "Scoop" and "Matchpoint."
ReplyDelete@Colleen : Definitely worth watching, I've seen the film at least 3 times, hope you enjoy your journey to New Orleans.
ReplyDeleteLost in translation is another of her best efforts, and she's set to star in Cameron Crowe's upcoming We Bought a Zoo, which I can't wait to see ( :
I liked this film quite a bit. Macht's character didn't do much for me, but Johannson's and Travolta's were well drawn.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was a good film and certainly features one of Scarlett Johansson's best performances.
ReplyDeleteI just had issues with Travolta's performance as I feel he was trying to be Marlon Brando. Gabriel Macht is an OK actor but not an interesting one.
The story had some moments but its big reveal kind of ruined the film for me despite the beautiful locations and cinematography.
@Chip Lary: Macht's character didn't do much for you, I've been hearing that, I was okay with him really.
ReplyDelete@thevoid99: Thanks for stopping by, haven't seen you here before. Trying to be Marlon Brando, interesting take on his performance, I saw peope on imdb thread were bothered by Travolta not playing the guitar properly! I thought the ending was alright, to each his own.
i actually rarely come across people who really liked this film so I'm glad you posted on it! I'm from Louisiana and spent alot of time in New Orleans (including for college) so I have always considered this a love song in film form to New Orleans. I think around this time, Scar Jo peaked as an actress. I hope she comes back around to these types of performances.
ReplyDelete@Shala: Thanks for stopping by! A Love Song For Bobby Long is kind of a cult film. The naysayers probably complain story is a collection of southern cliches of misfit alcoholics in New Orleans(which I'm not even sure is how the place is now). I read the New Orleans accents aren't very accurate too. On the flipside doesn't focus on racial issues in the deep south that lots of other movies do.
DeleteAgree Scarlett Johansson peaked then, but maybe its not her acting, but the stories she's in I like.
Exactly right, the film pays tribute to the New Orleans atmosphere, which is almost a character in itself, a place of beauty and a place of decay. I'm sure must have encouraged people to visit!