Back in June 1968, I was just 13 and living in the tropics when Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated. The occurrence happened within minutes of him winning the California presidential primary. At that age and location, I can honestly say, I have no idea what I was doing when RFK was shot.
The film Bobby is the creation of Emilio Estevez who wrote, directed and has a supporting role. The entire story is set at the Los Angeles Ambassador Hotel on the final day of Kennedy's life. Approximately 20 characters, all guests, campaign workers or hotel staff provide fictional mini-stories for much of the screenplay. The drama is laced with original footage of Bobby's run for president. There are images of him interacting with people of various economic, ethnic and racial backgrounds, while appearing to be quite comfortable and sincere with his surroundings.
Early in the film, I found myself having difficulty transitioning from grainy, nearly 40-year- old footage to fresh clean shots of the 5 or more story lines. Eventually, that passes and two or three of the stories find depth and grab my interests. The film is loaded with well-known actors all giving acceptable performances. The stand-outs are Laurence Fishburne, a senior member of the kitchen staff. There is also Sharon Stone, who with or without the proper undergarments has never impressed me. She delivers the film's best performance while doing, hair, nails and make-up in the hotel's beauty shop.
Estevez does a nice job transforming me to this period in history when America was wrestling with Vietnam War casualties, and anti-war protests, the Civil Rights Movement, class and social struggles and the recent 2-month earlier killing of MLK Jr. All this leads to the eventual murder of Bobby by Palestinian Sirhan Sirhan.
The film concludes with the audio track of a marvelous speech by Bobby Kennedy as we view footage of the times, and the results of the assassination on the multiple actors in the film.
Bobby is not a flawless film but for anyone around my age or younger, this film will touch your heart and give a new perspective to the many who still say, "I remember what I was doing when "
The film Bobby is the creation of Emilio Estevez who wrote, directed and has a supporting role. The entire story is set at the Los Angeles Ambassador Hotel on the final day of Kennedy's life. Approximately 20 characters, all guests, campaign workers or hotel staff provide fictional mini-stories for much of the screenplay. The drama is laced with original footage of Bobby's run for president. There are images of him interacting with people of various economic, ethnic and racial backgrounds, while appearing to be quite comfortable and sincere with his surroundings.
Early in the film, I found myself having difficulty transitioning from grainy, nearly 40-year- old footage to fresh clean shots of the 5 or more story lines. Eventually, that passes and two or three of the stories find depth and grab my interests. The film is loaded with well-known actors all giving acceptable performances. The stand-outs are Laurence Fishburne, a senior member of the kitchen staff. There is also Sharon Stone, who with or without the proper undergarments has never impressed me. She delivers the film's best performance while doing, hair, nails and make-up in the hotel's beauty shop.
Estevez does a nice job transforming me to this period in history when America was wrestling with Vietnam War casualties, and anti-war protests, the Civil Rights Movement, class and social struggles and the recent 2-month earlier killing of MLK Jr. All this leads to the eventual murder of Bobby by Palestinian Sirhan Sirhan.
The film concludes with the audio track of a marvelous speech by Bobby Kennedy as we view footage of the times, and the results of the assassination on the multiple actors in the film.
Bobby is not a flawless film but for anyone around my age or younger, this film will touch your heart and give a new perspective to the many who still say, "I remember what I was doing when "