Bobby

Hi Aki,

Tonight we watched Bobby, Emilio Esteves’ movie about the day Robert F Kennedy was assassinated. Like Grand Hotel, the 1932 MGM movie somebody mentions in the film, this centers on the hotel as its own city, with soap opera tales of the hotel workers, a singer and her husband, campaign workers, and reporters as they get ready to host the campaign celebration. it’s primary day in California, and the feeling is if Kennedy wins in California, he will probably win the nomination, and go on to win the election.

Intercut with the soap opera tales is footage from Kennedy’s campaign in newsreel and archival footage. The idea is that Kennedy is like a huge presence looming over everyone and everything.

Then after declaring victory in California, Kennedy walks out through the kitchen, and is shot, fatally.

The Weinsteins in their Weinstein Company produced. Oddly enough, the company is only TWC in the logo.

This is another big money loser for TWC as well as MGM, the distributor. it’s kind of a rule with me: if MGM distributes a film, odds are it will be a financial failure, and probably a bad movie too. This was not a bad movie, I liked it.

Lots of stars in small supporting roles. Sharon Stone plays the hairdresser of the hotel, married to the hotel manager. I almost didn’t recognize her in her makeup. Demi Moore is the drunk singer, and emilio himself plays demi’s lapdog husband who finally has had enough abuse and leaves her. Ashton Kucher, Demi’s real-life boytoy, plays a drug dealer who gives LSD to a couple of campaign workers.

(written around 28 February 2009)