Watch A Love Song for Bobby Long

A Love Song for Bobby Long is a poignant drama from 2004, directed by Shainee Gabel. The film features a talented ensemble cast, including Scarlett Johansson, John Travolta, and Gabriel Macht. The movie tells the story of a young woman named Purslane Will, or "Pursy" for short, who returns to her childhood home in New Orleans after her mother passes away.

Upon her arrival, Pursy discovers that her mother had left their house to two people she had never met before: Bobby Long, an aging former college professor, and his protege, Lawson Pines. Bobby and Lawson have been living in the house for years, drowning their sorrows in alcohol and dreaming of writing a book together. Pursy, who grew up with an absentee mother and has never known her father, is initially repelled by these two bickering, drunken strangers. However, as she begins to learn more about Bobby and Lawson's past, and as they begin to see her as a kind of surrogate daughter, the three form an unlikely bond.

As Bobby, John Travolta is mesmerizing. He's a Shakespeare-loving, whiskey-swilling former academic who never quite achieved the things he wanted to in life, and Travolta imbues the character with a nuanced mix of humor, heartbreak, and charisma. Gabriel Macht is equally compelling as Lawson, a failed writer who's spent years trying to live up to Bobby's expectations. Lawson is less likable than Bobby, but Macht manages to make him sympathetic nonetheless. Scarlett Johansson's portrayal of Pursy is understated and naturalistic, and she effectively conveys the character's grief, anger, and yearning for connection.

In many ways, A Love Song for Bobby Long is a character study. The film takes its time getting to know these three damaged, complicated people, allowing their relationships to evolve gradually and organically. The movie also functions as a meditation on grief, addiction, and the power of art to heal. Both Bobby and Lawson are struggling with personal demons: Bobby is haunted by the death of his great love, while Lawson is consumed by jealousy and self-loathing. Pursy, for her part, is grappling with the loss of her mother, as well as her own sense of displacement in the world. Yet as they begin to open up to one another, each of them finds a measure of solace and redemption. The screenplay, by director Shainee Gabel and novelist Ronald Everett Capps, is literate and engaging, full of richly drawn characters and evocative Southern settings.

The movie's New Orleans locations are another major draw. From the gritty, rundown neighborhoods where Bobby and Lawson have been holed up, to the lush gardens and grand old mansions that Pursy encounters, the film captures the city's unique architecture, culture, and ambience. The music is also a standout element of A Love Song of Bobby Long. The film's score, composed by Nathan Larson, incorporates elements of gypsy jazz, blues, and folk music, giving the movie a distinctive, melancholy tone. Scenes of characters playing music together, whether on Bobby's front porch or in a smoky dive bar, are some of the movie's most memorable moments.

Overall, A Love Song for Bobby Long is a moving, beautifully realized drama that showcases the talents of its cast and crew. The film is not without its flaws - some viewers may find the pacing slow or the characters too self-involved - but for those who appreciate character-driven storytelling and atmospheric settings, it's an immersive, rewarding experience. The movie's themes of love, loss, and second chances are universal, while its specific sense of place and time give it an added emotional resonance. If you're in the mood for a thoughtful, grown-up drama that doesn't shy away from life's messier realities, A Love Song for Bobby Long is well worth your time.

A Love Song for Bobby Long is a 2004 drama with a runtime of 2 hours. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 48.