A Love Song for Bobby Long

This is one of my all time favorites. I've seen many movies in my day but this is something that hits close to the heart. One of my favorite John Travolta charaters and Scarlette, mmmmm, you were better than "down home country cookin." Great movie, great location, and one that will truly keep your interest.

A young, lost girl is thrown together with two intellectually gifted losers, in New Orleans. The losers are a an ex- prof and his ex- teaching assitant. In spite of their stellar crentials, they live the life of bums. The girl has to share a house with them - the house belonged to her mother, but the two gentlemen have been living in it.

So the situation it starts with has a lot of promise. I guess that for some watchers, the way it captures the beauty of the place strikes a chord. The music is great.

Somehow, the performances just don't ring true. I'm not sure if it's because of the script or something else. There's tension being built up about the incident which lead to the two elders becoming the way they are. When that incident is finally revealed, it's done in very disppointing way. The actors are definitely not hamming, but at many points, I got the feeling that the movie was contrived and even phony. There is a twist right in the end, but it didn't work very well either for me. Overall, I found it a bit disappointing, perhaps because I started watching it with very high expectations.

The Film is subtle and moving. The portrayal of the lives the characters posed against the city, New Orleans is beautiful. The film is well acted,well directed, well written and has a awesome soundtrack. One of my favorites by far. I am especially pleased with the acting of Gabriel Macht (Lawson Pines) amongst the expertise and grandeur of John and Scarlet.

I'm going to keep it short. This moving is amazing. One of the rare films that keeps your eyes locked to the screen. The writing, acting, sceneary, and soundtrack was amazing. One of the best Dramedys ever (Drama + Comedy Usually movies that lean more near drama but have their share of comedy)

Every so often I get the urge to revisit this movie. And I am never disappointed. It gets better and more layered each time I see it.

If Sal Paradise returned to NOLA, he would feel at home with these people.

All the actors in this movie do a wonderful job of protraying the lives of the southerners they portray. It is a beautiful story to be enjoyed by both men and women. It is not just a "chick" flick. My husband has enjoyed it as much as me. We have watched it many times.

This was one of the most spellbinding movies I've seen in a very long time. You are watching art come alive and you cannot look away. The words that are spoken, and the words that are not, the characters, the setting. It is a masterpiece of perfection in human tragedy and triumph and it is one of the small beautiful cinema jewels that I will keep in my memory always. Thank you for this story.

I am guilty of underating the Talent of John Travolta. I have seen him go through
all of his genres, but this vehicle is definatly his forte. He is brilliant.

The story from beginning to end...grabbed me and wouldnt let go. All of the
charecters were given the respect by thier players and came across as if I w
ere living there and experiencing thier lives.

A truly brilliant piece. I can't say enough.

Not a well known john Travolta movie but he is awesome in it. Scarlett Johannsen is great. very heartwarming story.

I chanced upon this film in reading Gabriel Macht's past film credits. The reviews were so positive here on Amazon that I had to see for myself. Did this film make the big screen and did I just miss it? It was an AMAZING movie! The 3 main characters were played brilliantly.

The original description of the movie that I read somewhere does it no justice. You just have to see it for yourself to know why the reviews are so resounding.

Saw this movie on TV, and bought as a gift. Excellent movie with good actors.

PLOT: Purslane Will's (Johansson) mother has recently died. Purslane returns to her mother's home as the new owner but discovers two men, Bobby Long and Lawson Pines, living there. Within a few encounters, the three begin to bond and as Bobby divulges more and more insight into the life of Purslane's mother, they discover that there were indeed some things that all of them did not know about one another.

Reasons you should watch:

* Travolta and another humorous overacting job
* Scarlett Johansson looking stunningly gorgeous
* a fun little storyline that may or may not keep you engaged

Reasons not to watch:

* characters you likely won't care about
* a forced ending in which you wonder, "What the heck just happened and why do I feel like they want me to cry right now?"
* Travolta and another humorous overacting job

I am a tried and true John Travolta fan but I had never heard of this movie. I watched it on t.v. one night and I was hooked. I bought it immediately and I watch it religiously....at least once a month. I think that it is his best performance to date. And the rest of the cast as well. The characters that they played were brought to life. You feel like a part of it..a bystander, an unseen character on he side lines.

This is one of the best movies I've seen in such a long time! What amazingly convincing performances from all three principal actors! This movie is so much better than the book!!! And I am so glad that so many changes were made for the movie!
I am soooooooooooo glad that the character of Byron was changed for the movie to Lawson (portrayed by Gabriel Macht). The movie's Lawson (aka Byron) is a much younger, much more grounded non-perv, but he still drank too much. Gabriel Macht's take on the character is so much better than the character in the book. He made the movie for me! The same for Scarlett J's character Hanna (Pursy in the movie). Scarlett made her character so much more likable.
Glad I bought this on DVD! I LOVED Lawson's reaction to seeing Pursy getting ready for her date and he kindly told her that the dress zipper needs to stay up. AND I LOVE the sweet tender scene in front of the fireplace with Lawson and Pursy! It was deep, emotional and yet tender as they drifted off to sleep. I can't wait to see Scarlett Johansson and Gabriel Macht together again in their next movie The Spirit! They have wonderful chemistry together!!!
I highly recommend buying both this movie and the soundtrack. Heck, I've been buying both of them for everyone I know when it's their birthday. I include the movie Because I Said So and American Outlaws and I write in the card, "Have A Very Happy Gabriel Macht Birthday". :-)

I stumbled upon this movie on IFC and was enthralled. Great acting, wonderful story. This movie truly shows Travolta's talent.

John Travolta plays Bobby Long, a one time college English professor from Alabama whose uninhibited ways cost him his family and former life. He is now a literature spouting drunk, living in the house of Lorraine Wills, a singer-songwriter, who died young from drink and a hard life. Living with him is Lawson Pine, Bobby's former teaching assistant, who one day intends to write the great American novel about his mentor, none other than Bobby Long. One day the book will get written, if Lawson can stay sober enough and resist the languid ways of the Big Easy.

Lorraine is dead - and her estranged daughter, Pursey, comes to the house. The men tell her that each of them owns a third of the house. Scarlett Johansson is very well suited to the role of Purslane Hominy Will, a high school drop-out, living with her boyfriend in a trailer park in Panama City FL.

At first, Bobby seems determined to drive Pursey away, an effort Lawson reluctantly assists with for a while.

As Pursey digs in her heels, the men come to respect her. They insist she finish high school. She demands they quit drinking.

The relationships become deeper as hostility begrudingly turns into respect and affectation between these three very different people, who share the universal wants and desires of all people.

Travolta plays his role well, though I feel he studied films and tapes of Truman Capote interviews. Macht plays his role as if he were simply being himself. Johansson in many ways has the most difficult role and she plays it well.

I won't give away more of the story for fear of spoiling the movie for others.

It's a sweet film, a nice little story. Not blockbuster material, not even necessarily a film that you'll vividly remember. It's just a sweet touching story typical of Southern, particularly New Orleans, stories. Lots of sad and lonely people who try hard to seize what little happiness they can scratch from life.

Jerry

This movie, like most great films, is more like a book... a very good book. The performances are true and memorable--everyone shines in their roles. I keep it on the top movie shelf with my other rare favorites.

This film is awesome, using the original meaning of the word which is awe- inspiring. I've always been a John Travolta fan and anyone that is I think would agree with me when I say he brings to mind eternal youth. So to see him playing a jaded and bitter character with white hair is a tribute to the true natural talent of the man. I think he's one of the bravest actors we have to take parts that are physically unflattering but unexplainably beautiful because of the amount of spirit and pure joy that went into becoming 'unflattering.' Even Hairspray it looked like he was having a ball and I know he must have been thinking "the reporters will start back up with the 'he's gay' bit, as if saying someone's gay enough times will turn them gay. John Travolta is wonderful in everything he's done because when you wake up every morning and say "I can't wait to get to work!" it shows. He's like Southern comfort food, something that you grew up with and you know will always be around.

John Travolta has never been better. This is his best work. I'm not even a huge fan of his but, good golly miss molly, this is a stand up and cheer performance. Scarlett Johansson is always a sure fire hit in my book and this movie continues to support my admiration for an exceptional performance. Do yourself a favor and buy this DVD. It is utterly amazing.

I loved this film! Some critics knock the movie for using some clichés and there are some aspects of New Orleans in particular that are romanticized. Romanticism aside, the cinematography is beautiful and the film features many of New Orleans great attractions such as the Café du Monde, the old mansions of the garden district, and the dreamy Audubon Park. Of course, what is New Orleans without music? The soundtrack is a wonderful mix of jazz and twangy southern blues that is nicely incorporated into the plot. If that doesn't do it the acting alone makes the film worth seeing. The script is well-written, and the actors do a good job of making it seem spontaneous and real. I never felt like they were reading from a script. John Travolta's performance as the washed-up Bobby Long, an alcoholic former English professor who reminisces about his glory days is magnificent and one of his better performances. Gabriel Macht, plays Lawson Pines, the brilliant, guilt-ridden writer who can't seem to write anything good. Macht, best known for independent films, is one of the better kept secrets of the film world. His allegiance to Bobby is touching and also leaves you wondering, "Why?" His performance is very well done. Scarlett Johansson who plays Pursy Will completes the package and is the powerhouse of the film, but does so without overshadowing the other cast members. Her portrayal of a lonely, strong-willed young woman who reminds her two has-been roommates that they are still alive and capable of much more than drunken lechery is superb and believable. Overall, I think the film is very well done and entertaining. It is a story that highlights many human frailties and struggles and it demonstrates that redemption can be found through friendship and family in the most unlikely places.

I do love exciting cliff-hanger types of movies, but I also love character studies and marvelous acting. That's what A Love Song For Bobby Long is all about!

If you're an adrenilin junkie, you probably should pass. But if you like a solid cast and a quirky but solid story, try this movie!

Damaged characters in NOLA. Before Katrina. Makes it even more interesting than anticipated. Travolta works well. Worth a look.

This is a must-see movie if you are from New Orleans, or if you like New Orleans. It has been much underappreciated, but it is a wonderful story with interesting characters and lessons. The scenes of New Orleans stray from the typical Hollywood shots of Bourbon Street, and include many scences shot in Old Gretna on the West Bank of the Mississippi, a few French Quarter scenes, nice shots of the river and the Crescent City Connection (during the time when it was being stripped of its lead-based paint and repainted), views of New Orleans from the levee in Old Gretna, the most beautiful tree in New Orleans (the ancient sprawling oak tree in Audubon Park- the one hidden to the left of the zoo), and more. The music is great and really carries the movie from one point to the next.

A good "slice of life" type flic. Gritty, sensitive, intelligent characters. Great photography, good audio FX, good soundtrack.

At first, I couldn't really tell where this movie was going and then BAM! I'm not a professional movie critic, but this one is a keeper!

In any case, "A Love Song for Bobby Long" is a worthwhile movie. The story is tremendously endearing, and the performances by Travolta and Johansson are top notch. The soundtrack is excellent.

But.... maybe you have some connection to New Orleans: maybe you lived there, or visited often, and loved the place. If so, you must see this movie. It's one of the last looks at the Big Easy before Katrina (and government ineptitude) swept away this most magical American city. The director, Shainee Gabel, obviously loves the same things that I did: the architecture, the foliage, the sky, the clouds, and that patina of decay, which has a special beauty in New Orleans.

New Orleans is coming back, but the Big Easy is gone forever, and that's just about the saddest thing I know. "Bobby Long" is a loving, tender last visit to that place we loved so much.

Someone wrote that "every day I lived in New Orleans, I felt like I was getting away with something." That's damn right.

There is just somthing about this movie that grabs my soul. I've seen it about 15 times now (really) and each time I'm glued as if I've never seen it before. The music is fantastic. Some songs are written and performed by the son of the author of the book from which the movie is based. The sceenery is as much a character as the actors themselves. Especially the house. It's a movie about relationships. Lonley misguided people who find each other and by the hand of Lorraine (who we never meet) are forced to coexist. As time evolves they become a family. You will care about all of the characters in this movie. The atmosphere is very authenitc New Orleans. The seedier side, not the French Quarter touristy side. It's very real. And as I said before the music is excellent. In my opinion, it's one of the best. Especially Mr. Capps music. You will like this move.

I thought the movie was great it was a heart warming story . john travolta and scarlett johansson did an excellent job.

I could be cantankerous and say that Scarlett Johansson is better in -- for starters -- Girl With a Pearl Earring and Match Point, that John Travolta moves through the movie as if on cruise control (great hair, though), and that Lawson Pines, the Gabriel Macht character, appears on the evidence of some readings in the movie from his work to be one of the least talented Southern sons to ever set pen to paper. Also, the movie's big secret (Lawson to Bobby, repeatedly and usually in a whisper, "We've got to tell her.") is obvious to any viewer in the first five minutes. But, what makes Bobby worth an evening, is the two hour visit to New Orleans, the cast of fairly entertaining characters and the storyline, familiar and obvious though it may be. Hooray for New Orleans and hooray for family values. That's worth three stars.

Oscar nominee John Travolta (Best Actor, Pulp Fiction) and the lovely Scarlett Johansson (Match Point) star in this slow paced adaptation of the novel "Off Magazine Street" by Ronald Everett Capps. The movie features an underappreciated performance by Travolta, who captures the character of Bobby Long perfectly. It's a mature performance by Travolta and miles away from any character he's played before. The movie is about Pursy Will (Johansson), a young 18-year old who lives in Florida with a boyfriend. When Pursy hears that her estranged mother Lorraine has died, she travels to New Orleans to go to the funeral. Problem is, the funeral was a few days earlier; so Pursy travels to the house Lorraine left for her to find two men.
One is Bobby Long (Travolta), a former English professor who's now an old drunk. The other is Bobby's protege Lawson (Gabriel Macht), who's writing a novel about Bobby that doesn't seem to be going anywhere. Pursy finds out that Lorraine left the house two all three of them, but instead of leaving she decides to live with both men despite their misgivings. The movie movies like a memoir, there's no particularly big events that occur. It moves along slowly, like life. There are a few turns of events that occur, but none of them are big enought to warrant calling it a "twist". Besides Travolta's wonderful performance, Johansson is perfect as Pursy. I would say that this is her best performance and it would be if not for the movie "Match Point". Not everyone will like this movie, many will find it dull and stupid; But this is a mature, sweet, and fairly entertaining movie. Seeing Johansson half-naked wasn't that bad either. I don't know how helpful this review will be in convincing a person to see this movie, but I bought it for 5 dollars at Wal-Mart so it won't be a tragic loss if you don't like it much.

GRADE: A-

This was the rare movie that appealed equally to my wife and me. We were pulled in and couldn't tear ourselves away. We've both come to value films where conflict doesn't lead to bloodshed or huge climaxes.

John Travolta--not an actor we've particularly liked in the past--is excellent here, but the Scarlett Johansson character is really the center of the film. I wouldn't say that the charm of her character is all that different from that in Lost in Translation, but she's very appealing, and not just for her good looks. She's loved in various ways by no fewer than five male characters, but none of this feels contrived.

The theme of living for art's sake was interesting enough, but it was eventually overwhelmed by the more straightforward story of how an odd trio of people can learn to get along, or not. In other words, the story of Bobby Long and his protege is less important in the end than the story of Purslane Will and her mother. You feel this in the somewhat pat ending.

Alcoholism here is just part of the character's lives, and--unrealistically--never seems to detract from their charm or gift for gab.

This reminded me a little of Wonder Boys, but with a fully-developed female lead character, and much more appeal to women viewers, I would think.

At 2 hours, this somehow felt short.

A touching film filled with touching moments and requainted relationships. I read the film from about the first 5 minutes but it all never- the - less went down well with me.


Showing that the simple life can have it's positive attributes, A love song for Bobby Long is just good story telling. A movie well worth watching.


John Travolta is not suited to this role and his acting seems out of sync in this piece....I would have rather seen a relatively unknown actor play his role to make it more 'legit' so to speak but he did well despite this and Scarlet looks too old for her teenaged role even though she is just out of her teens in actuality but all in all the film is a top of the line drama.

it seems most reviews want to describe this film in detail, for those who want a quick summary, i watched this when i saw "john travolta" as the star, along with Johansson, and as a big fan of Johnny,this is a movie and a role he should be pleased with, a touching drama, well acted by all, but a must see for any Travolta fan

I'm not picky about movies, but a lot of times I find myself trying to avoid the drawn-out character studies. They really get to me usually, firing straight down into my core, making me really feel. And that makes my somewhat ansy. The truth is that the best movies are often the ones we tend to overlook, and I'm ashamed to say that I didn't want to watch this. I'm so glad I did. It was the best couple hours I've spent watching a movie in a long time.

Bobby Long is John Travolta, an ex-English professor who once had a big house and a nice family, but now lives in a dilapidated home in New Orleans where he drinks like a fish and eloquently rants about how wonderfully misunderstood he is. He lives with a younger man named Lawson, a former student of Long's, and an aspiring writer. Most of his work ends up in the fireplace. The home these two guys share belonged to a woman named Lorraine, who has just passed away, everyone being able to tell stories about what a great woman she was. Lorraine had an estranged daughter named Pursy (Scarlett Johansson), and upon learning about her mother's death, leaves Florida and her trailer-park life to discover the memory of her mother, as well as discover herself with the help of a couple very intelligent drunks. Just when Bobby thinks he has learned all he could ever know, life throws him a curve ball.

Truly, a wonderful film. It moves along at a decent pace, slow enough for you to feel sucked into the Alabama lifestyle they lead, but fast enough to keep you interested in their engrossing lives. Don't skip out on this one. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Purslane (Johansson) lived a life without her mother or father, a life of false memories and squandered potential until she gets the chance to change all that. With news of her mothers untimly death Purslane moves to New Orleans to claim the house her mother left to her only to find it inhabited by two drunks, Lawson and Bobby (Travolta). These two men, one ex-professor and the other aspiring author claim they have rights to the house as well and so Purslane decides she will live with them, with intent to drive them away as they stay in atempt to drive her out. The story is captivating, pulling you into the lives of these charactors and the future they need in order to survive. With riviting and award worthy performances across the board but notable by Johansson (who recieved a golden globe nod for the film) and Travolta who should have won the oscar. These two actors, while seperated by years of experience both show they are in a league of their own. Watch this movie for all the beauty that it portrays, in the souls of the ones involved and in the streets of New Orleans...the direction, the scenery all add to the beauty that is behind every frame and the stunning aray of talent that caresses the screen. I am in love with this movie for it touched me in so many ways, and as the last few frames roll by you will be touched as well, I promise...

I have been a Travolta fan since before the "Saturday Night Fever" days. I have seen him improve as an actor over the years to the point to where I would buy anything in which he stars. Every movie in which he stars gets better and better. "A Love Song for Bobby Long" with him playing a white-haired, nasty, old drunkard is amazing. The movie was worthy of an Oscar nomination in my opinion! Definitely worth seeing.

This movie is 2hours. I felt like 3 for me. Why? Because the movie just dragged on and on and lost my interest.
The movie centers around the death of Purslaine (Scarlett Johansson)'s mother. Purslane is a high school drop out living in Florida. But then, she goes to New Orleans, where her mother lived. She finds her mother's house inahbited by two men. One is Bobby Long (John Travolta), an aging scholar. The other is his apprentie. So when Percy goes to live with them, it's a weird life.
Yet, the entire movie foccusses around this relationship but since the relationship isn't well shown, it's hard to be interested. One day she hates them, the next loves them. And of course a movie like this has to have a twist. 2 actually. 1 of them was unexpected, the other I saw coming a mile away.

This movie isn't very entertaining if that's what you're looking for. It forgots key points such as: Why does everyone talk so highly about Percy's mother but she doesn't and addresses her by her first name? What was up with their relationship? That was an important aspect that was completely left out. And the development of the relationship of the 3 characters is underdeveloped.
John Travolta gives a good perfomance, one of the best of his carreer and adds humor to the movie. But Scarlett Johansson is very dissapointing. Either she shows no emotion or she shows way too much.
Some scenes with the 3 are good though and it is an interesting study. But ultimately it really isn't that great.

My wife and I have been on a Scarlett Johansson kick lately. We can't seem to get enough of this beguiling, talented actress.

Starting with Lost in Translation (a bona fide classic), we searched IMDB for other movies Scarlett has appeared in. We located a few others (The Girl With the Pearl Earring and A Love Song For Bobby Long) at a local rental store and watched them both.

In Love Song, Scarlett is as sensual and alluring as Blanche Debois. She sizzles. Yet, she does so with an innocence that belies her raging sensuality. In the end, her performance is one that nearly steals every scene -- even if she's pictured in the background, casually smoking a cigarette or glancing off in the distance, or even listening to the other characters in the frame.

The story had enough plot twists to keep us guessing. Yet, at the same time, it seemed totally predictable. Go figure.

What surprised us most is John Travolta's performance. Hardly one of our favorite actors, Travolta (as the titular character) turned in a performance that I didn't think him capable of. He looked and acted seedy, like -- as Scarlett's character referred to him -- a "dirty old man." He wasn't dashing. There was nothing glamorous about him. In fact, there was very little to like about him. He was an old, gray-haired, sloppy drunkard.

Another actor who surprised us was Gabriel Macht who played Bobby's protege. He seemed to reveal as many emotions with just a pained or quizzical look on his face as most actors can by emoting all over the place. He was the perfect counterpoint to Bobby's flamboyance -- a quiet fellow alcoholic who knew better but didn't see a reason to quit.

His reason, as well as Bobby's, appears in the form of Scarlett Johansson's character. Typical plot twist. Yet, an atypical rendering elevated by performances that were mesmerizing.

This is a movie I'm sure we'll want to buy.

I recommend A Love Song for Bobby Long.

A Love Song for Bobby Long~ John Travolta is an amazing movie that is set in New Orleans. Scarlett Johansson is simple put it stupendous in her role and John Travolta puts on an Oscar worthy performance. I must say that I was very apprehensive at first about watching and honestly I thought it would be a scholocky movie about love and a chick flick. However, this movie was tremendous and once again the old adage that one can not judge a book by its cover rings true. The only problem with it, was that it was a tad to long but if one disregards this then one has to say that this was one fine movie.

This beauty almost escaped me, hadn't it been for Grayson Capps and his live performance in Amsterdam. He told us ALL about Bobby Long, who was one of his dad's friends. Grayson had written a song about Bobby Long, his dad had written a book about him, and eventually a movie was shot. With Travolta doing a great job (I'm NOT a Travolta fan!)
After Grayson's smashing performance and his awesome CD I decided to buy the DVD and I'm happy I did.
This movie is in the same league as "Passion Fish", "The Piano", "Stones for Ibarra" & "White Palace". Slow paced, telling a good story, and brilliant acting by all. CHAPEAU!
This one is definitely for keeps.