Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

There is a certain charm to 'A Streetcat Named Bob (2012)' that mostly works its way to the surface in the more feel-good sequences revolving around the titular cat, who's good-natured antics are easy to smile at and innately brighten up the film. The piece is generally formulaic and predictable, though, to the point that it seems as though it's going through the motions of a story we've seen countless times before, without any substantial stylistic or story hooks to differentiate itself or keep us especially engaged. It's not that the picture is bad or even that it ever fails to entertain, it's just that it never creates more than a serviceable level of attachment to its relatively one-note characters or consistently low-stakes story and as such remains a passive viewing experience throughout, even when it briefly dips into the grittier side of being a recovering addict or when it's feline star does something undeniably cute, like give its owner a high-five. 5/10

Not quite, though both stories are about a man with an orange cat. This is about a younger man, who doesn't hit the road, and instead is a recovering drug addict in continuous danger of falling off the wagon. But when a stray orange cat enters the apartment he had been sequestered in, he finds a reason to live again. Indeed, having the cat around makes him more attractive to people, whom he normally has trouble dealing with.This movie does not degenerate into schmaltz. He meets a young female neighbor, but they stay friends and not lovers. Only his father has feelings for him; he is still estranged from his other relatives. A friend who is also drug addict ends up dying from his habit. The cat himself causes trouble by running off at the wrong times.In the end, though, the story of the cat eventually becomes a bestselling book for him, so he no longer has to make a living by panhandling. This might seem like a Hollywood ending, except that this story is all true. Recommended, especially if you're a cat person.

I have to premise that I am strongly convinced that animals are just animals. I feel annoyed by people who say "Animals are better than humans: they don't betray you " and bulls**t like this.Thus I hated people who ignored James without the cat and are kind and generous with the cat. Just like I hate cat and/or dog videos on social media. In my country, in Italy, there are more pets than babies, and I'll be happy with our extintion as a species because we deserve it.On the other side there is the story of redemption of James who finds an aim through the cat who becomes his project. I am happy with this, but is it not a kind of sad to think that no human being, not even his own father, has helped him to recover?One moment: a decent person in this movie does exist and is Val, the social worker. She is the actual heroine (no pun intended).Social workers are at very high risk of burning out because they usually cannot see very much good results of their (hard) work. I sincerely admired the character of Val. She believed in James and gave him a home and advices and after all James success was also her success.I did not find the movie so embroidered as other reviewers have said before me. The story is quite harsh and it is harshly told. Think at the sequence when he suffers for the methadone suspension! It was like Hell on Earth, and it was great that James succeded in healing. Not easy, and it was finely descripted.Acting was fine as Luke Treadaway did not push too strongly on the pleased compassion key. Directing was also fine and tones were not unbalanced even in the most dramatic moments, like the death of his mate.To me one of the toughest scene was when the lady wanted to BUY the cat and James told her if she wanted to sell her child. The lady was convinced that the cat had the right to have a home, her home, giving for granted that James was not a decent owner.Also when James says he was called "sir" for the first time AFTER he got the cat. The portrait of human misery in my opinion. If one gives a s**t about junkies, then he should care even less about a man with a cat!

After reading a brief synopsis of this movie figured it could be interesting – then followed a strong recommendation from friends. It certainly proved worth the time and money (if sadly not quite so for the producers). This is the sort of project I imagine several directors may have taken a look at the script then run screaming from the room. There's actually not much more the producers could have achieved with the material - other than the treatment they've ended up with. The initial story is a grim battle to overcome drug addiction and death among the homeless. Add to this, the heavy participation of a cat - which meant the final product then, had to please two totally opposite audiences. The outcome is a decent balance between a deathly harrowing real life situation and a rising-above-the-rot victory. Among other things, the movie shows us it's a bit of a worry that people don't seem to want to give to street dwellers and beggars but, add a cat to your situation and the money comes rolling in. Yes, most everyone has a different attraction to Animals – rightly or wrongly.This is relatively easy to understand, to a degree. I suppose many people have become cynical through being 'taken-for-ride' by the con artists - who spoil it for those genuinely doing it tough. What lifts this one above being an overly sugary mix is the fact this partnership, is built on the unique need to survive on the mean streets and simultaneously overcome the devil on the skids. The Cat (played by the real Bob) is an undeniable trooper and these hapless lost souls find strength to go that extra mile from each other. Performances are neat enough and the production manages to look impressive - even while trundling out some grim London situations. Some songs seem manufactured for the movie but they work well, so this is not a drawback. It's a delicate balancing act but the message is delivered in such a manner - that most audiences should come away with something to feel positive about and, regard it all as well worth the time.