Review: A Street Cat Named Bob

True life stories don't come more equipped to endear than A Street Cat Named Bob, which shows how second chances come from the unlikeliest of sources. Based on the book of the same name by James Bowen, it's the story of how the titular ginger feline saves a recovering addict.

James is a street musician, busking on the streets of London and earning little more than a handful of spare change to support his heroin and methadone addiction. James has squandered many a chance to recover, his promises and apologies a broken record to his father (Anthony Head), who is conflicted between his love and shame for his son, and drug counselor Val (Joanne Froggatt), whose endless reserves of patience are continually tested by his screw-ups. Nevertheless, Val believes in him and convinces her supervisor to get him into a recovery program and emergency housing.

The road to recovery provides unexpected allies: kooky, animal-loving neighbour Betty (Ruta Gedmintas) and the marmalade feline she christens Bob, who enters James' apartment one night through an open window and decides to make himself at home. Soon, he's accompanying James as he makes his busking rounds on the streets of London. Often perched on James' shoulders, Bob attracts the attention of the passersby, who are so delighted by his presence that James finds his meagre income significantly supplemented.

Yet there are numerous ups and downs to be had before the expected happy ending. A Street Cat Named Bob is a strange, often tonally contradictory brew of cute hijinks, heartwarming family drama, and kitchen-sink drama. Whilst it's not as hard-hitting as, say, Mike Leigh's works, it doesn't shy away from the grimmer realities of recovery and low-income living, even if the depiction is more cursory than in-depth. Screenwriters Tim John and Maria Nation stretch the already thin source material almost beyond breaking point. Aside from James' attempts at reconciliation with his family, there's the blossoming romance with Betty, who's unaware that he's a recovering junkie, and there's even an action sequence that finds Bob being chased by a couple of dogs.

Luckily, the bond between James and Bob anchors the proceedings. Treadaway manages to share the spotlight with Bob (who plays himself along with six other feline lookalikes), no small feat considering Bob's immense charm. Director Roger Spottiswoode and cinematographer Peter Wunstore often employ convey the action from Bob's point of view, a gimmick which at least keeps the film visually interesting.

A Street Cat Named Bob

Directed by: Roger Spottiswoode

Written by: Tim John and Maria Nation; based on the book by James Bowen

Starring: Luke Treadaway, Bob the Cat, Ruta Gedmintas, Joanne Froggatt, Anthony Head, Caroline Goodall