A Love Song for Bobby Long Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A girl moves in with two alcoholics, learns some secrets, and then they all just sort of hang out until one of them dies, which is surprisingly heartwarming.

🍿 A Love Song for Bobby Long: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Pursy’s Return to New Orleans

Purslane ‘Pursy’ Hominy Will, a young woman living in a Florida trailer park, learns of her estranged mother Lorraine’s death in New Orleans. Pursy returns to her mother’s dilapidated house, intending to reclaim her inheritance, but finds it occupied by two unexpected residents.

The Unlikely Housemates

The housemates are Bobby Long, a former English professor drowning in alcohol, and Lawson Pines, his protégé and aspiring biographer. Bobby and Lawson claim Lorraine left the house to all three of them, leading to an uneasy cohabitation. Pursy initially clashes with the two men, who live in squalor and seem content with their aimless existence.

Secrets and Discoveries

As Pursy settles in, she begins to uncover secrets about her mother’s life and her own past. Bobby and Lawson encourage her to return to school, recognizing her hidden potential. Pursy, in turn, starts to bring order to their chaotic lives, prompting both personal and relational growth. She learns more about her mother, Lorraine, and the reasons for their estrangement.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Pursy Will (Scarlett Johansson): A headstrong young woman who returns to New Orleans after her estranged mother’s death and discovers more than she expected about her family.
• Bobby Long (John Travolta): A former English professor turned alcoholic who is living in Pursy’s mother’s house and harbors a significant secret about her past.
• Lawson Pines (Gabriel Macht): Bobby Long’s protege and aspiring writer who is attempting to document Bobby’s life while struggling with his own.
• Georgianna (Deborah Kara Unger): The local bar owner and a friend of Lorraine who provides a connection to the past and a source of support for Lawson.
• Lee (Clayne Crawford): Pursy’s abusive boyfriend from Florida, representing her old life and the challenges she faces.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Bobby Long: “Happiness makes up in height, what it lacks in length.” – Bobby shares his philosophical observation on happiness during a conversation.
• Bobby Long: “You’re an ignorant slut, but you’re my ignorant slut.” – He says this, with affection, while trying to help Pursy understand the importance of knowledge.
• Pursy Will: “What if I don’t want to be saved?” – Pursy expresses her resistance to Bobby and Lawson’s attempts to guide her life.
• Lawson Pines: “Some people are born to be remembered, others are born to be forgotten.” – Lawson reflecting on the themes of Bobby’s life and his struggle to write his biography.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $7.5M
• Domestic Gross: $164,308
• Worldwide Gross: $2,039,526

💥 A Love Song for Bobby Long Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed ‘A Love Song for Bobby Long’! It’s one of those movies that stays with you. The atmosphere of New Orleans is so palpable, and the characters feel so real. Scarlett Johansson is fantastic as Pursy, and John Travolta delivers a surprisingly nuanced performance. The scene where Pursy confronts Bobby about her mother’s letters just gutted me. If you’re looking for a character-driven drama with a touch of Southern charm, you have to check this out.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of character-driven dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about unconventional families”
  • “People who appreciate films set in New Orleans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Alcohol abuse”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Some sexual references”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “While Johansson delivers a compelling performance, ‘A Love Song for Bobby Long’ suffers from a meandering plot and overly sentimental moments. Travolta’s accent is distracting, and the film struggles to find a consistent tone, leaving the audience feeling adrift in a sea of Southern clichés.
• The New York Times: “The movie boasts a strong sense of place, but the characters often feel like caricatures. While the cast is talented, the film is bogged down by heavy-handed symbolism and a predictable plot, ultimately failing to deliver a truly moving or insightful experience.
• Los Angeles Times: “Director Shainee Gabel draws out fine performances from her leads, creating a world steeped in literary allusion and southern charm. The movie has a warm vibe, showing growth in a new family dynamic that the viewer will grow attached to.

Audience Reactions

Viewers praised the strong performances, especially from Scarlett Johansson and John Travolta.: The film resonated with many due to its exploration of family, forgiveness, and finding connection in unexpected places.

The atmosphere of New Orleans and the literary references throughout the film were widely appreciated.: The movie was found to be good at character development and the development of relationships between those characters.

Overall Consensus: While reviews were mixed, many viewers found ‘A Love Song for Bobby Long’ to be a touching and thought-provoking drama with strong performances and a captivating atmosphere.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The screenplay was adapted from the previously unpublished novel ‘Off Magazine Street’ by Ronald Everett Capps.”
• “Grayson Capps, the son of the novel’s author, Ronald Everett Capps, appears in the film and contributed six songs to its soundtrack.”
• “Filming took place in New Orleans, Louisiana, capturing the city’s unique atmosphere before Hurricane Katrina.”

🖥️ How to Watch A Love Song for Bobby Long?

A Love Song for Bobby Long is currently available for purchase or rental on various digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for potential streaming availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed A Love Song for Bobby Long, you might like these similar films:

• Wonder Boys (2000): Features a washed-up writer and professor dealing with personal issues, similar to Bobby Long’s character.
• The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter (1968): Explores themes of loneliness and connection in a Southern setting, influencing ‘A Love Song for Bobby Long’.
• Terms of Endearment (1983): Deals with dysfunctional family dynamics and unexpected bonds formed through shared experience and loss.
• You Can Count on Me (2000): Portrays the reunion of siblings dealing with grief, and finding comfort and support in a makeshift family.

🛒 A Love Song for Bobby Long Related Products

• The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers: The book that Bobby Long introduces Pursy to, sparking a journey of self-discovery and understanding.
• Audubon Park, New Orleans, Louisiana Art Print: A beautiful art print of the park, evoking memories of the movie.
• Bourbon Street New Orleans Jazz Music – T-Shirt: A cool graphic design of Bourbon Street New Orleans Jazz Music.
• New Orleans Street Names Sign: A recreation of a New Orleans street sign.

🎧 Soundtrack

A Love Song for Bobby Long features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Someday” – performed by Los Lobos
• “Please Don’t Bury Me” – performed by John Prine

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Scarlett Johansson’s 10 Sexiest Movie Roles

Did you know Scarlett Johansson’s role in ‘A Love Song for Bobby Long’ is considered one of her sexiest? Check out this video to see it and other sizzling performances, you may even discover new sides to her talent that you never thought existed.

“My heart was a lonely hunter”

Ever wonder how ‘A Love Song for Bobby Long’ touches people’s hearts? This fan-made video beautifully captures the film’s essence, using a poignant quote. Definitely hits you right in the feels.

Grayson Capps “Love Song for Bobby Long” @ Eddie Owen Presents

Want to experience the soul of ‘A Love Song for Bobby Long’ in a different way? Check out this live performance by Grayson Capps, the song sounds even better live, seriously!

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