A Street Cat Named Bob was somewhat of a surprise success when it was released into UK cinemas back in 2016. Based on the true-life story of a homeless drug addict, James Bowen, who was befriended and saved by a stray cat, the film told of a remarkable bond that formed between the pair and managed to melt the hardest of hearts. Given the popularity of both Bob and the film, a sequel, A Christmas Gift from Bob, was greenlit and it’s about to hit UK cinemas on 6th November. This time around the story is based on two of James’ Bob books, ‘A Gift from Bob’ and ‘The Little Book of Bob’ and sees James recount a Christmas-set story of a time when James and Bob were under threat of forced separation.
A Christmas Gift from Bob doesn’t have quite the same emotional heft as A Street Cat Named Bob, but that is more down to the story being told rather than the film itself. The story of James and Bob’s origins is so special and magical that it can’t be replicated, but A Christmas Gift from Bob still retains a lot of the same qualities from the first film. It helps that writer Gary Jenkins returns on scripting duties as he manages to continue the same life-affirming tone that made Street Cat so endearing. Translating Jenkins’ words onto the screen is director Charles Martin Smith, a man who has built his career on family friendly animal stories. His back catalogue includes Dolphin Tale, Dolphin Tale 2, A Dog’s Way Home, and nineties classic Air Bud; his experience definitely shines through.
Framed as a much more conventional Christmas tale this time around, the film comes complete with several of the tropes: a villainous animal welfare officer, a perceived enemy who actually turns out to be a friend, a smattering of snow, and plenty of festive cheer. Within any other story all these archetypal conventions would result in an overly saccharine pantomime, but here they help balance out the moments of darkness that are woven within. As with the first film, A Christmas Gift from Bob has it’s sad and scary moments, and whilst none of them are as intense as James going cold turkey from heroin, they nonetheless offer enough bite to give it a bit of an edge.
Luke Treadaway returns as James, sliding effortlessly back into the role as if he’s had no time away. James is in a better state of mind this time around, his stresses this time coming from external forces rather than his internal demons. There’s not quite as much character scope for James, but Treadaway gives a beautiful performance with what he is handed. His dynamic with the on screen cats, one of them being Bob himself, is wonderful to watch and will leave cat lovers green with envy. There’s a truly lovely sequence wherein a concerned James spends a night next to Bob, which anyone who has cared for a pet will identify with. It’s a scene that mirrors Bob waiting through James’ drug withdrawal during Street Cat and once again highlights just how special a bond that this man and cat have.
Dedicated to Bob the cat, who sadly passed away in June whilst the film was in post-production, A Christmas Gift from Bob is a touching and fitting tribute to the animal that touched the hearts of so many. Full of feel-good feline festive cheer, A Christmas Gift from Bob will make you believe in the magic of the season once more. This is a fun-filled, heart-warming, and enchanting family friendly tale that may just help save Christmas 2020.
A Christmas Gift From Bob arrives in UK Cinemas from 6th November 2020.
A Christmas Gift From Bob
Summary
Essential viewing in these troubled times, A Christmas Gift from Bob’s story may lack the same emotional punch as the first film, but still retains those warm fuzzy feelings that will leave the viewer feeling uplifted.
