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Bobby. A moving look at a brief moment in our nation's history. Is it safe to say that this is one of the better movies this year? Undeniably. Even
more, easily one of the best films I have seen in a long time. Bobby centers around 22 people at the Ambassador Hotel on June 6th, 1968. The day and place U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated. This film is as much about people and the state of our country in the '60's as it is about Bobby Kennedy. It was a time of anger over war and racism. Fear of the future.  People trying to find themselves through many facets. Writer/Director Emilio Estevez, yes that Emilio Estevez, harnesses these emotions and moves them splendidly from scene to scene.

Each set of characters has a brief story to tell. Yet all connect in this one place and time. The wealthy couple (Martin Sheen, Helen Hunt) finding
themselves in each other. The two young campaign volunteers (Shia LaBeouf, Brian Geraghty) and a hippie (Ashton Kutcher) seeking truth through experimentation. Young lovers (Lindsay Lohan, Elijah Wood) and those holding on to love  (Sharon Stone, William H Macy). Those hoping for a chance to overcome the racism of the times (Laurence Fishburne, Freddy Rodríguez). Add to that the old (Anthony Hopkins, Harry Belafonte) and the young (Nick Cannon, Christian Slater) all looking for a better tomorrow. This is a picture of the '60's. This is what makes this film.

I also think it was a creative decision to not cast Bobby. Each time you see Robert Kennedy or hear his voice it is the actual footage from his life.  This adds an impacting and moving documentary feel to the picture. What you see is Bobby Kennedy. This pulls the film from fiction and constantly reminds you of the true events. There is something to be said for the 60's.  It was a time of expression and of growth. It made me long for those days.  As tumultuous as they were. There are many similarities to our country today. Yet there are things that are missing. Things that should be longed for. As I watched and listened to the characters and to the real audio of Bobby it saddened me.  People were angry then and people are just as angry now. The sad thing is that then they had hope. Hope found in people like Kennedy and Dr. King. Leaders who truly longed for peace. I don't see those people today. I see people who long for agenda and profit. This element was another emotion for the film.

Bobby is rated R. Though the film contains brief adult language, drug use and a brief scene of nudity, the main concern is the emotional adult theme and violence. I think many will be hard pressed to find anything truly offensive, but parents of course use caution with those under 17. I give it 5 out of 5 campaign buttons. Not often do you get this sort of cast working effortlessly to bring a story to life. With a look at Bobby, I'm Matt Mungle 

The Mungle 11/16/2006

Matt is a member of the North Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) and hosts the weekly syndicated Indie Rock Radio Show Spin 180. Plus with his wife Cindy they do a weekly radio feature, The Mungles on Movies. For additional reviews and interview clips visit the website www.mungleshow.com