scndform A beautifully told true-life tale of humanity- hope, despair, rejection, helplessness, and love that will leave you greatly impacted. Without doubt one of the best films I've seen in a long time and also one of the most underrated. Everything from the acting, to the script, to the music was, in my opinion, far more Oscar worthy than what is currently presented as "the best." The beautiful and original songs alone should have picked up at least a nomination.

The Movie Diorama The perfect friendship between human and feline. Sometimes watching an uplifting film without the need of serious drama or constant character deaths is just what the doctor ordered...or in this case the veterinarian. Homeless, addicted to drugs and constantly high, busker James believes he has hit rock bottom. But when he stumbles across an injured ginger cat in his newly sheltered accomodation, his life changes forever...and for the better. The street cat named Bob is played by Bob who is the real Bob that is the street cat Bob...yeah. Undeniably, Bob is adorable and that is coming from someone who despises domesticated felines. However, beneath the cutesy exterior is an emotive story about second chances. Just when you think life couldn't get any worse, hope is just around the corner...in the shape of a cat. Now, addressing the subject of drug addiction and homelessness may have been brushed over slightly too much but there are scenes that tackle this and do evoke a sense of power. The problem I find with 'nice' films like these is that they are unmemorable. The chances of me remembering this in a week's time are slim, but it's entirely watchable and what I would class as a "Sunday afternoon" film. Luke Treadaway surprisingly holds the film on his shoulders as Bob sits on them. Various scenes were weak in the acting department but just take it with a pinch of salt, it's fine. It's the uplifting story and the fact it all happened that really provides the entertainment. Loved the POV camera shots of Bob's perspective as he rummages around a bush or attempts to catch a mouse, reminiscent of the old Tom & Jerry cartoons. The supporting cast members were weak and I would've liked more attention aimed towards James' backstory. However, aside from the predictabilities, this is an enjoyable watch and, if anything, has heightened my love for cats. I no longer despise them...I just dislike them.

Gordon-11 This film tells the story of a drug addict who sings in the street to make ends meet. One day, a stray cat enters his life, and his life is never the same again.It is a heartwarming story of a man who is given a second chance in life. It is an inspirational story that tells people that anyone can achieve a better life. When he says to the doctor that the cat has shown him what life is like in the other side, it is rather profound. The cat provides the little push for him to move out of the mess and into a meaningful path.Though it is a little sad for me to see that people supported him only because of the cat. His singing is the same before and after the cat, so I can conclude that his second chance really is given by the cat. I hope people can actually give second chances to people even without the presence of a cat, as there really is enough love and care to go around. We can show people who needs second chances that they are loved and cared for as well.

jimbo-53-186511 James Bowen (Luke Treadaway) is a homeless man who's recovering from drug addiction and, in order to try and get by, he makes his money by busking in Covent Garden. After suffering a relapse, James is given one last lifeline by his drug counsellor Val (Joanne Froggatt) whom manages to acquire him some accommodation on the proviso that he cleans up his act. However, James' rocky road to recovery begins with the most unlikely of packages in the form of a stray cat named Bob...Sometimes it is the simplest of films that are often the most effective and A Street Cat Named Bob is a good case in point. What we effectively have here is the story of a young man who has made some bad choices in life and is desperate to sort his life out and get clean. When a stray cat is introduced into his life this gives him something other than himself to focus his attention on and he basically chooses to put the cat before himself which of course makes him an endearing character - in spite of him being a recovering drug addict.The other thread to the story is James' developing friendship with Betty (Ruta Gedmintas) which basically gives James an insight into what a normal existence could be like; one gets the impression that he probably hadn't had too many healthy influences in his life for quite some time up till this point. The friendship played out between Gedmintas and Treadaway is sweet and the pair have a wonderful, easy-going chemistry about them.One of the main standout points in this film is Luke Treadaway who takes us on this emotional journey as the real life James Bowen in wonderful fashion - his commitment and dedication is evident on screen and he is never less than 100% convincing (this is made all the better when you remember that he probably spends half of the film talking to a cat).As good as this film is I think it's fair to say that it has one or two weak spots; the thread with Bowen's parents seemed to be clumsily thrown into the story without much real thought or development and I couldn't help but feel that the film wouldn't have been any different if they weren't mentioned at all? The screenplay is also a bit safe and clinical; for example in its early stages virtually every problem that Bowen encountered was able to be resolved without too many issues yet in the latter stages of the film everything seems to go wrong for him despite his best efforts to get his life on track. I can only assume that this approach has been employed to make the picture more dramatic, but it does render some aspects of the picture to be somewhat unbelievable. The same approach seems to have been adopted with Bowen dealing with his drug addiction making the narrative feel slightly uneven at times.Still this is a very good film that is funny, heart-warming, uplifting and inspirational and just goes to show that anyone can turn their life around if they have the desire to do so. In spite of some of its weaknesses, it is still a film that's brimming with both positivity and likability.