Review: A Street Cat Named Bob

★★★☆☆

During the weekends, I had nothing to do, so I scrolled through the films on Netflix and one particularly caught my attention. The thumbnail was of a man and a cat on his shoulders, and it was titled A Street Cat Named Bob. I love cats. I was going to watch this movie.

The movie is about a recovering drug addict named James Bowen. His life basically turns around when a street cat enters his flat and attempts to steal his cereal. Even though his life is basically in shambles and he has barely enough for himself to avoid starvation, he realizes that he now genuinely cares for someone other than himself. He has a reason to fight against his struggles because Bob needs his help. 

"If you can't sing then you can't make any money. And if you do sing then you'll get arrested, and all you're thinking about is what happens to the cat," says Betty, his neighbour and future love interest, as she finds out that he is a drug addict. "You know who shouts like this in public? Junkies do! And the people who fall in love with them, that's who." James' eyes widen as he takes in what he was just told. 

Bob is only a cat who James cannot even talk to, but that barely matters as an emotional connection forms between them. Bob helps James through every aspect of his life. Thanks to him, James earns more through busking in the streets. He even helps him sell more magazines as people are attracted to the odd sight of them together. Last but not least, he is the reason why James and Betty get together to help each other discover their own separate ways in life.

What is most notable about the film is that it often changes the camera angle to show the cat's point of view, whether it is from inside of James' flat, or the basket in front of his bicycle, or on his shoulder. Not only does it add necessary comedy to the film, but it also shows that it is Bob's story as much as it is James'. However, it is not enough to prevent the film from falling flat as it tries to insert different bits of drama. We rarely see a coherent connection between them and therefore, although a collective plot is formed, the film feels broken as a whole.

https://youtu.be/9Ba1PEHRAZo