A Street Cat Named Bob (2016) User Reviews

Cat "Bob" adopted a person

[zlx_zjlq · 8/10 · 10 May 2020]

Bob was originally a street cat and picked up a tramp on the side of the road.

This man's name is James Bowen, poor, drug addicted, and earn money by singing on the street.

What can this kind cat can do? Of course, this person is adopted.

This was originally a very simple story. But as the story is real, it 's not simple any longer.

A sweet feelgood movie without pretensions

[pforrest-2 · 8/10 · 5 November 2016]

I bet this gets terrible reviews from the critics, because it has no ambitions except to tell (and embroider) a tale of real life (itself embroidered a little, OK...) . Anyway I just got home from seeing it, and it is no great work of art ... but it is a very enjoyable movie based more or less on a true story. If I had a criticism it would say cut the mouse (totally irrelevant to the film, but then I'm not a cat). If I wanted to heap praises I would say that Luke Treadaway does the main human role fantastically, Bob is pretty impeccable except for the dubbing, and Rute Gedmintas is incredibly lovely as the (fictitious?) love interest. If only Luke & Ruta could have ridden off into the Islington sunset together .... they seemed made for each other.

It helps to have known a cat named Bob

[T_Side · 7/10 · 6 November 2016]

This film offers almost exactly what you would expect it to and there's nothing wrong with that. We've seen better movies about the trials of homelessness, the tortures involved in getting clean from heroin, especially the latter when it's worth remembering this is a 12A certificate and so the horrors experienced by the main character can't be quite as lurid, nightmarish and unsettling as those depicted in TRAINSPOTTING.

Otherwise, this adaptation of James Bowen's autobiography, his account of how he was saved by the unlikely companionship of Bob, is pretty likable stuff. Luke Treadaway's performance is perfectly fine; his depiction of a drug user who's lost everything and is living rough comes across as credible enough. If there's a sense of fantasy about the effect Bob has on his fortunes - Londoners react to Bob as though they've never seen a cat before - then you just have to go with it to an extent. The film makes it clear that Bob personifies James's salvation, and it was a lovely detail to discover one of the feline actors playing the cat was none other than Bob himself.

Anthony Head doesn't need to do much to play James's estranged father, but he handles the emotional turmoil hidden beneath the character's austere exterior really well. Joanne Froggatt and THE STRAIN's Ruta Gedmintas are memorable as James's doctor and distant love interest respectively. The latter is a bit too obviously 'hippy chick' but she just about gets away with it, and I respected that the romantic undertones of her story line climaxed in a bittersweet, realistic way.

For me, this is up there with EDDIE THE EAGLE as a title that won't win any awards and will never slay the box office, but it made me feel better for having seen it. I'm looking forward to reading Bowen's book now. And I once knew a cat called Bob - a more affectionate and avuncular friend I don't think I've ever had.

Love and care for people who need a second chance

[Gordon-11 · 24 October 2017]

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.

A film with loads of heart despite it's limitations and small budget

[trevorwomble · 7/10 · 12 November 2016]

There is much to like about this film. For a start Luke Treadaway does a solid job as James Bowen, the lead character. But let's be honest, Bob (as himself) totally steals every scene he is in. A gorgeous ginger Tom, he is adorable and just oozes charm despite not having any dialogue. You could almost hear the audience warm to him from the first time we see him, helping himself to a box of cereal. Bob needed a home and someone to look after him and James needed Bob to find the strength to save himself and a sense of purpose in life.

The film is based on a true story and yet weirdly it suffers a bit from being too adult (in parts) to be a real family film yet it almost comes over as a severely compromised view of the world of drug addiction and thus will be a bit of a disappointment to those expecting a deep character study. In the UK the film is rated 12 so it is neither a kiddies film about a cute cat nor is it quite the Trainspotting style view of a man trying desperately to kick his drug dependency. In this regard the film falls between two stalls and despite trying hard, can never quite make up it's mind what it purports to try to be.

Roger Spottiswoode is a talented director (just look at his CV) and yet he feels a strange choice to direct this. He made the Tom Hanks comedy Turner & Hooch a long time ago so he has form of working with animals and humans but this film is a million miles (and millions of dollars) away from that Disney crowd-pleaser. Here we have a small story that must have been a very delicate balancing act to get right at the script stage, a mixture of comedy & pathos that has to be able to not offend a family audience and yet deal with a serious subject matter and the huge uphill struggle James has to deal with, his desire to get clean of addiction for once and for all. And some credit must go to the screenwriter for showing the degrading and tragic side of drug addiction without making it too overtly harrowing. If this film inspires one other person to turn their life around like Bob motivated James to do, or even stops one person turning to drugs as an escape then it will have done its job.

I should point out that the film also has a light side too, with touches of comedy alongside the seriousness. The supporting cast are all fine too, although the neighbour 'Betty' seems a little too kooky and convenient for my liking. James's support worker Val is wonderfully played out by Joanne Froggatt from Downton Abbey and fans of Mike Leigh films will also recognise Ruth Sheen popping up too. And let's not forget Anthony Head (who is always immensely likable) as James's dad and has a wonderful scene towards the end of the film when he finally shows his true feelings.

So then, this is a worthwhile film providing you aren't expecting to see a) a Garfield film or B) a Trainspotting expose of life as a drug addict. There is almost no bad language to speak of so it ticks that box too. Like I said earlier, there is a feeling of compromise to this, like the story was edited for a younger audience but that isn't necessarily a bad thing and it certainly helped James Bowen's book reach out to a mass audience and rightfully become a best seller. If this was set in the US it would certainly have a glossier feel and maybe it's touch of grittiness (partly as it was filmed on location in a grey, drab London during November-December 2015) will harm it's box-office, but as a true life human drama of inspiration with a dash of charm and loads of character then do give it a try.

I Dare You To Leave The Theatre Unhappy After Watching This Gem.

[david-78697 · 10/10 · 6 November 2016]

As an avid cat lover I was always going to enjoy this movie. And as a person who myself suffered an addiction, and am in recovery, I totally related to the Lead Character in every way. Whilst dealing with the subject of addiction is a very difficult issue to cover, I thought this movie covered it well. Highlighting the lead character's isolation,, detachment from the outside World and people in general........and the redemption he found by meeting Bob, a wandering cat, who just happened to enter his life.

The touching story line that involved the developing relationship between him and Bob was beautifully told. The cat made him smile again, gave him a reason to live. His social skills with people were not good but with the cat, he became stronger and happier as each day passed.

This was a wonderfully uplifting film I related to on so many levels. Excellent acting, and Bob the cat. was the best of them !

Read book a while ago and saw film yesterday

[charliephilpotts · 7/10 · 12 November 2016]

Enjoyed the film and thought it was faithful to the book which made me view street people differently. It never was going to be a big budget blockbuster type movie and the way it was filmed suited the story. Having seen quite a few buskers around Covent Garden the scenes shot there looked authentic. All the relevant topics were covered and the shooting was well done. I don't think it could have been done much differently without making the film overlong. Being a cat owner may make be biased but the film does justice to the story and internet interest shown in the two main characters. We left the cinema having felt that the admission money was well spent - not always the case with some over hyped productions.

This film has a genuine goodness to it.

[splood · 9/10 · 7 November 2016]

I've seen a lot of bad reviews for this film and honestly they're totally undeserved.

It's been criticised for not being gritty enough, being "featherweight" and lacking in conflict. To me this just speaks to a deeply pretentious need to be shocked - a film about someone who's suffered doesn't have to show every hardship in gory detail. Yes, there's a place for visceral, gruelling, Trainspotting-esque masterpieces that hit home the sheer horror and hopelessness of homelessness and drug addiction in the UK, but that's not the only kind of film that's allowed to exist.

This film isn't aimed at film critics looking for a cinematic thrill, it's aimed at a (dun dun duuuun) mainstream audience, and it has a very different objective. You aren't supposed to leave feeling like you've been there, you're supposed to leave feeling like there's hope. It makes you want to (and feel like you can) help. That's the kind of film that encourages people to donate, volunteer, generally do good. That's a worthwhile thing.

The strength of the film is its moments of kindness. Many claim that the film doesn't "hit home" because the sad bits weren't sad enough and the scary bits weren't scary enough. It hit home for me. It had me holding back tears on multiple occasions, but it did so when it was happy. The bit where the woman who chatted to James and Bob early on gives them some tuna and a knitted cat scarf, the bit where Betty gives James one of her brother's paintings (something irreplaceable that she clearly treasures), James's Father's face (fantastic performance by Anthony Head btw) when James tells him he's clean. This film is brazenly kind, the overwhelming message is one that people are good.

Yes, it's cheesy at times, but it isn't patronising. James is someone you empathise with, not sympathise. You don't feel sorry for him. I think this film set out to do something very different than what professional film critics look for. I think it succeeded in that, and I think that's just as worthwhile as the lofty artistic ambitions of grittier cinema.

Sorry for this review being more of a response to criticism than a discussion of the film's merits, I just think this film deserves to be stood up for.

Feeling down? Watch this!

[adamonIMDb · 7/10 · 7 August 2017]

If ever there was a true story that was just destined to be turned into a movie, then this is surely it. 'A Street Cat Named Bob' is the story of the unlikely friendship between a recovering drug addict, James Bowen, and a stray ginger cat, who he named Bob. It's a heartwarming story and a film that can be enjoyed by everyone, not just cat lovers.

The film deserves a lot of credit for ensuring that James' battle with addiction always remains at the forefront of what happens on screen. They could have easily got carried away with Bob the cat and neglected to include the harsh realities of James' situation, but thankfully they didn't make that mistake and the film is a lot better for it.

'A Street Cat Named Bob' is the perfect feel good film, despite some depressing themes. It's the type of story that just has to be heard, and now it's been turned into a movie, even more people can enjoy this amazing friendship.

Not just a movie for cat fans. Incredible true story.

[SpoilerAlertReviews · 9/10 · 7 November 2016]

I'm actually really surprised, recognising Roger Spottiswoode's name but totally forgetting he was the director behind The 6th Day, James Bond's Tomorrow Never Dies and another animal buddy movie, Turner & Hooch. I haven't seen any of his work since The 6th Day and I'm not sure why, but I'm surprised to find him behind the camera for this one. Maybe because it's a British film of a British story, me possibly expecting a Brit to be director? Regardless, he's a great choice as director, especially with his experience of working with animals on film.

This one being a stray ginger tomcat that gets named Bob after finding recovering drug-addict, James Bowen, played brilliant by Luke Treadaway. Now, this busker and Bob is somewhat of a London legend, how the two become inseparable and skirt about town busking and selling magazines on the streets of touristy London, hitting national and local papers and well, the outcome is fairly obvious, book deal and a film to boot.

Though there were quite a few cats used to play the part of Bob, it is nice to know that the real Bob actually did quite a bit of filming. Him being the real life littlest hobo that gladly doesn't choose to move on. And the real life James Bowen getting his rightly deserved cameo with a clever line of dialogue.

Working with animals is something you get warned about when on set but Spottiswoode certainly has a majesty way of capturing the character of our furry friends whether it be a Dogue De Bordeaux or a polar bear cub. It can't be an easy task and most have taken dozens of takes to get the right frame and the editing is superbly done with animal POV perspectives and clever camera work.

Treadaway gives a brilliant, believable and powerful performance conveying the hopelessness, torment and desperation effortlessly. Ruta Gedmintas also adding some colour to the film supported by some good British casting. It's amazing to watch the bond form between Bob and James as they both tend to each other.

Another two elements that stand out about this film is the music, the busking songs performed by Treadaway himself, which help tell the story though slightly disappointed it's music written for the film and not songs original to the busking, though, the songs are catchy and full of heart, much like the movie. The other element being London itself, the sights and the not so nice parts of the city actually give a real feel, either though bleak.

What's so magical about this story is that it has come to this, and that it's a true story of hope, companionship and cosmic justice. It's heartfelt, touching and feel good; Perfectly paced, enchanting and enjoyable. Not just a movie for cat fans.

Running Time: 9 The Cast: 8 Performance: 9 Direction: 9 Story: 9 Script: 8 Creativity: 9 Soundtrack: 8 Job Description: 10 The Extra Bonus Points: 10 for Bob, and his and James' incredible story. Would I buy the Bluray?: Yes.

89% 9/10

A Street Cat Named Bob is an incredible true story that does deserve an adaptation.

[TheMovieDiorama · 6/10 · 26 February 2018]

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.

Incredibly touching and heart warming story

[abigailm789 · 10/10 · 8 November 2016]

This film was one of the most heartwarming films I have watched in a long while. Although the cat is the main focus of the film, it is more than just about a cat. This film also makes you consider the homeless community in London and how the drug culture on the streets is not something to be ignored. It also aids a good understanding of heroine on the streets, and the recovery process in becoming clean. This film allows a better understanding of how just because someone is homeless, it doesn't mean they are hopeless; sometimes all they need is help, guidance, and a friend along the way, human or animal. The film also made me reflect on how we are so affected by animals and how having animals in our society helps us come together and understand each other better. Although some scenes made me angry, it also promotes awareness of how the homeless are shamed and how humans in general behave around the less fortunate.

One or two weak spots, but it's hard not to be moved by this heartwarming story

[jimbo-53-186511 · 7/10 · 2 August 2017]

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.

A generic feel-good movie

[Fiurilli · 4/10 · 17 November 2016]

'A Street Cat Named Bob' directed by Roger Spottiswoode tells the true story of James Bowen, a homeless recovering addict whose life changes significantly when he meets a street cat called Bob. This street cat is literally the catalyst for James to kick his addiction to the curb, get his act back together and start appreciating life as a whole.

The movie starts out presenting James at one of his worst moments, however quite early on Bob the cat is introduced. The relationship between James and Bob is quite charming at first, however the novelty of the fuzzy red haired cat quickly wears off. Halfway through it felt as if the writers had used up most of the tropes possible to make Bob seem interesting and it just recycles them from there on out. The story itself has a similar problem as it reuses certain story elements quite often. For the most part the movie just flows between feel-good moments with a few "hitting rock bottom"-moments in between. The dialogue between characters is also not that convincing and the many small jokes never achieve anything more than a minor chuckle.

Luke Treadaway as James Bowen is fairly well cast and is quite convincing in his role, however his acting performance did leave something to be desired for there are many moments where his acting felt off. The same is true for the rest of the cast and overall the acting side of things is not that solid. Furthermore Spottiswoode as a director is not very good. When actors are interacting with something off screen it is very clear they were not given any clear instructions. For example, Luke Treadaway never appears to be looking at anything specifically when his character James is supposedly chasing Bob through his apartment. Spottiswoode's directional style is also very bland, conversations are for the most part generically framed and the few shots from Bob's point of view fail to mix things up a bit.

Ultimately 'A Street Cat Named Bob' is not that interesting of a movie. It is not that well directed, the performances aren't all that great and the story is very predictable.

My rating: 4/10

Touching story of a real man who was helped by a real street cat.

[TxMike · 14 August 2017]

My wife and I watched this at home, streaming via Netflix. It starts off a bit slow, we were unsure where it was going, but once Bob came into the story it all picked up. All-in-all a really worthwhile movie, highly recommended.

It is a story of a real London busker who got into drugs and was having a hard time navigating through life. He was a reasonably talented songwriter and singer, usually somewhere in London with his guitar. Playing for small change, hoping to buy a meal at the end of the day, and finding a place to crash the night on the cardboard he stashed for the purpose. Luke Treadaway plays the main character, James.

Helped along by Joanne Froggatt as Val, the social worker, James is given a rough little apartment to stay in and regular methadone treatments to help him kick his drug habit. One day he hears a noise, thinks it is an intruder and it was ... a ginger colored cat that slipped in through an opened window. James tries to find its owners, to no avail. He tries to shoo the cat away, but can't. So he keeps him and names him Bob (played by the real Bob the Cat).

What follows is a heartwarming account of how being responsible for Bob, and having a companion, was key to James being about to kick his habit and turn his life around. With Bob on his shoulder they attracted bigger audiences and got bigger tips. Eventually a newspaper article leads to a publishing house arranging, with a ghost writer, to have James write his story and the book became a best seller.

Good movie! And Bob does such a good job.

Love Cats Yes .... This Movie, Not So Much...

[paradux · 6/10 · 19 January 2017]

I am a cat person -- WHICH IS BY THE WAY THE REAL EXPLANATION FOR WHY THIS TRUE STORY HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE -- and for me the film was mainly getting to spend quality time with Bob the Cat and not much else.

My notes:

1. Bob did a great job. He seemed sincere and authentic as a cat, what some reviewers might call a "natural" and hit his marks and nailed his cues.

2. The rest of the film ... not so much. Other critics have noted the material was "thin" for a 90 minute film. This is compounded by the fact that the tone was highly sterilized, clearly intending the movie for the TV "after school" or Lifetime crowd. At no point does the story rise above the level you would expect from a Disney product aimed at pre-teens.

Hopefully Bob's agent will find him better roles in the future. Hopefully he will continue to play a cat and not stretch himself too thin.

Wish I could say the same for the rest of the cast and the production team.

Some stories truly are worth telling

[astell-1 · 9/10 · 22 November 2016]

This film connects you with the realities of street life and addiction, but without the excessive angst, despair and high melodrama which is typical of the genre. Because of this the storytelling feels very realistic, very honest. Obviously what distinguishes this story is Bob himself - I'm not a cat fanatic but it is obvious that Bob is a very unique personality. Yet in keeping with the low key feel of the film, they do not overly anthropomorphize Bob himself - he is a cat who has adopted a human, plain and simple.

This film deserves a wider distribution - it is unrated but I would suggest pg13. There is much more to this film that Bob the cat, but you should see the film and reach you own conclusions. If nothing else it may help you think differently, more sympathetically, about street people and street cats.

"All that really matters is you don't stop trying."

[classicsoncall · 7/10 · 19 June 2017]

The movie is about second chances more than anything else, and if it takes a feline companion to pull one's self out of the gutter, than more power to the cat, I guess. I didn't know anything about this film but was immediately drawn to the title because of it's novelty, and it was a worthwhile viewing, though definitely not a cinematic masterpiece. I never heard the term 'busking' before so there was a little bit of British street education in there thrown into the mix. The thing that bothered me throughout the whole story, and it's probably being picky, but when James (Luke Treadway) started getting on his feet and making some money, he could have helped himself out by getting a razor and cleaning up a bit. It might have helped him some during those encounters with the police and other authorities. Overall not a bad little film with some poignant things to say about folks dealing with drug addiction and trying to get clean. Particularly interesting to me was when James expressed his admiration for Bob because he got a man to call him 'Sir'. Occurring near the end of the story, that moment made it worthwhile to hang around and see James make something of himself.

Great feel good film

[ajab-31251 · 9/10 · 6 November 2016]

Whilst I'm not usually drawn to writing reviews I'd just like to add that I thoroughly enjoyed this along with my young teenage children and partner, yes we all love cats which possibly helped but really, the acting was very good, the characters were believable and engaging, the story had our attention and whilst sadly the cinema wasn't exactly what you'd call full, those present loved it also. I've since read that the script lacked 'good grammar' and was too simplistic, whilst I may not have been Cambridge educated I thought that it was in keeping with the subject and none of our party felt it lacked anything, quite the opposite in fact. A movie which 'touched' us all and I'll be recommending this to friends and family. The best film since Eddie The eagle!!

A lovely true story that will put a smile on your face

[eddie_baggins · 7/10 · 16 May 2017]

I like many of you out there have seen and heard of many an odd story in my life but if you'd have told me a few years ago that I would've watched and enjoyed a film about a homeless musician/recovering drug addict that strikes up an unlikely friendship with a stray ginger cat, I would've laughed and said "you're having me on" but what makes this scenario even stranger is A Street Cat Named Bob is a film about just that, and a true story.

Seasoned director Roger Spottiswoode (the man who gave us slobbery dog comedy Turner and Hooch) finds himself here adapting James Bowen's best-selling autobiography of his drug overcoming's and heart-warming friendship with his 4 legged best mate Bob as the two help each other out and become inseparable along the way.

There's not a whole lot of "big" conflict or set-up's in A Street Cat Named Bob (unless you count cat chases as big events) but there's simple joys and emotion to be found in the small moments Bob shares with Bowen and Bowen's journey to get his life back on track is a great human interest story, no doubt helping the success of his book for all those that may not feel inclined usually to call felines a favourite.

Spottiswoode (who over uses cat POV camera moments), it could easily be argued, could've made more of key moments of Bowen's story, in particular his trials going cold-turkey off drugs that is here relatively quickly passed over in favour of more shots of Bob looking cute and while Bowen is a relatively likable down on his luck presence in the film, you do wish you felt a little more connection to him or that he would look for a more meaningful job.

This connection issue is hard to pinpoint as Luke Treadaway does a fine job in his role even if it's a relatively thankless task trying to act alongside a cat (who here is even played mostly by the real-life Bob!) but it doesn't end up being all that important in the big scheme of things as at the heart of this tale lays a story that only the most hard-hearted of movie-goers won't enjoy and perhaps shed a tear or two at along the way.

Final Say –

It's been a long time between (milk) drinks since our last lovable feline centric hit but with A Street Cat Named Bob we have our newest whisker clad winner! It may not ever threaten to become a classic and it's sprinkled with movie-making emotional manipulation but this smile inducing true story that's told optimistically and light heartedly is a likable event that acts as one of the year's most notable feel-good experiences.

3 ½ cans of tuna out of 5

Emotional, Suspenseful and Thought Provoking

[tom-becker · 9/10 · 14 January 2017]

A Street Cat Named Bob was a surprise for me.

I think Roger Spottiswoode's extensive directing experience and meticulous casting make this work by never relenting intensity. I don't think there could have been a better casted lead; Luke Treadaway is brilliant but more important, believable. His singing, real or sync'd, is just stellar and heartfelt. Joanne Froggatt also adds realism but Betty, Ruta Gedmintas, is probably a bit too good looking for the overall feel of the film but she's great nevertheless.

Sure, it's yet another down-on-their-luck story but, being closely based on true events, I found it gripping and real with dialogue that's cinematic but believable. There are moments in the film where my disbelief was certainly suspended.

If you are an animal person, the film may be even more rewarding.

feel good movie about a cat and an addict

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 21 January 2018]

James (Luke Treadaway) is a homeless addict busking on the streets of London. He is estranged from his father Jack Bowen who has a young family. After his OD, overworked social worker Val takes a chance on him and sets him up in temporary housing in a rundown apartment block. He finds a cat in his new home and names him Bob. He is befriended by animal lover Betty. Bob becomes his constant companion and his savior.

It's all straight forward and heart-warming. It's not pushing that hard. The drug issue is handled gently despite the death. The cat is cute enough although I can do without the cat's POV. The only thing missing is a great catchy song. The busking songs are fine but nothing exceptional. The performances are solid. This is gentle heart-felt movie that hits the right notes.

Fantastic hopeful film

[ruth-jennings2 · 9/10 · 7 November 2016]

I have read the books and was looking forward to the film. I wasn't disappointed. The film is very true to the books and shows James's dire situation with care and no punches pulled. It doesn't skirt around James's turbulent life of drugs but shows it in a very humane way.

I loved the camera work, we get to see life from Bobs point of view on many occasions. This film gives hope to many people and shows that the love of an animal can pull a person out of the brink of despair.

A plus for me is there are no F words which I feel ruin a film.

Luke did a brilliant job of portraying James. And of course Bob is just a star! it was nice to see James make a small guest appearance himself. I can't wait to add it to my DVD collection!

A nice and cute movie

[markinhoCuri · 7/10 · 4 March 2017]

"A street cat named Bob" is a nice movie. It delivers what you expect of it, that is, a story with some realism, good acting, a relative straightforward script, and a nice relationship between a guy and a cat.

The acting of Luke Treadaway is good and believable, it won't win an academy award, but you buy that he is a recovering drug addict and the relationship he develops with Bob the Cat.

Ruta Gedmintas plays an almost stereotypical hippie girl, but she comes off OK and Joanne Froggatt is OK as James' guardian angel.

So yes, this movie won't win any award, but it will make you spend a good time with a nice story.

Not the cats whiskers. More like what's in the litter tray.

[wrightiswright · 4/10 · 5 March 2017]

Can you get fed up of hearing a cat mew and purr? As a dyed-in-the- wool feline lover, my answer just yesterday would have a resounding 'no', but after suffering through the underwhelming, cliché-ridden waste of 100 minutes that is 'A Streetcat Named Bob' my answer is in the positive without even hesitating.

Every scene it's in, we have the titular Tom making the aforementioned dubbed-in noises constantly, until it becomes so distracting my enjoyment of the film suffered as a result. As a direct comparison, when was the last time you saw a dog movie that had non-stop (and I DO mean non-stop) barking and growling from beginning to end? Exactly. The surfeit of cat sounds here is incomprehensible, intrusive and completely unnecessary.

Despite all that though, the puss is still the best thing in the movie. Who can possibly enjoy these one-dimensional characters, including the nicest homeless drug addict you're ever likely to not meet in the lead, his obnoxious vegan stereotype girlfriend and his estranged father who, in true movie tradition, he has a tearful 'reunion' with at the end? The script lacks the emotional weight and resonance to carry such a moment, and most right-minded people's tissue collection will remain completely dry.

Finally, we're told this is 'Based On A True Story' the BASED bit being the actual caveat. For example, did our hero REALLY earn next- to-nothing for his many busking sessions, but as soon as he attaches a cat to a lead, starts making the big bucks? Are people really that shallow? Especially as what he's playing amounts to little more than pretentious navel-gazing piffle.

Add to that an incredibly predictable script where every little 'bump in the road' is telegraphed way in advance before being solved in minutes, and you have an entirely forgettable cinematic experience hastily assembled to cash in on a successful book. Shame the profit margin didn't match their artistic endeavours, though. Not by a long chalk. 4/10