A Street Cat Named Bob * * * 1/2

What a cute film!  You’d have to have a heart of stone not to be moved by this one, even if it is a bit twee from time to time.

A Street Cat Named Bob.
Definitely not a dog of a film.

     It’s a true story and based on the book that was written by the main character.  I wasn’t aware of it, but the initial book and the succeeding books have sold millions (I should get out more).

     James is homeless and a heroin addict in London. His life is pretty much on the skids.  But fortunately he is in contact with help, and when he commits himself to a methadone program he is given temporary housing.  But the greater blessing comes when a stray cat moves in with him.

      James tries to make a living as a busker, which is rather unusual because we don’t see many of those, do we?  Without being unkind, with what we hear on the film, there’s not much talent on display.  However, Bob is the kind of cat that doesn't want to be left at home - and that is genuinely unusual.  Bob is happy to go wherever James goes, sitting on his shoulder or just sitting at his feet whilst James busks. The cuteness of that, is enough to make any passerby dig out a few coins. And when Bob lifts his little paw to give you a high-five, well, you’re gone!

     James gets to know his neighbor, a pretty girl who has been personally touched by the pain of drug addiction, and a friendship develops.

     This is not a long or complicated film. The basic premise is, he was alone and desperate, a most unusual cat came into his life and changed everything. The cat probably did better for him than any counselor. That’s not to suggest we should replace all counselors with cats… (but perhaps we should at least give it some thought?)

     A Street Cat Named Bob is a delightful film that any adult should enjoy.  (I believe they are making a children's version of this, which is just as well.  Although children would enjoy the story, the drug use and pain of withdrawal shown in this film is not suitable for children.)