๐ฏ Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Emilio Estevez
- Genre: Drama, History
- Release year: 2006
- Runtime (length): 1h 57min
- IMDb rating: 7.0/10 (45k votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 46%
๐ Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A bunch of hotel employees and guests have their lives mildly inconvenienced when a presidential candidate gets shot, proving that even mundane days can end with a bang (literally).
๐ฟ Bobby: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Setting the Stage: The Ambassador Hotel, June 4, 1968
The film unfolds on June 4, 1968, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, on the day of the California Democratic Presidential primary. Robert F. Kennedy is campaigning and scheduled to deliver a speech at the hotel later that night. The atmosphere is charged with both optimism and underlying tensions reflective of the era.

A Tapestry of Lives: Interwoven Storylines
“Bobby” weaves together the stories of over twenty characters, each grappling with personal and societal issues. These include hotel staff, campaign volunteers, guests, and passersby, representing a diverse cross-section of American society at the time. Their narratives explore themes of racism, infidelity, the Vietnam War, drug use, and the generation gap.

Rising Tensions and Hopeful Anticipation
As the day progresses, the characters’ lives intersect and their individual dramas unfold against the backdrop of Kennedy’s campaign. There’s a growing sense of anticipation for his speech and the potential change he represents. The film intersperses fictional scenes with actual footage of Kennedy, highlighting his message of unity and progress.

โ ๏ธ Spoilers and Ending Explained
๐ฌ Cast & Characters
- John (Anthony Hopkins):ย A former doorman at the Ambassador Hotel who spends his retirement playing chess and reminiscing about the past.
- Virginia Fallon (Demi Moore):ย An alcoholic lounge singer at the Ambassador Hotel struggling with her career and personal demons.
- Miriam Ebbers (Sharon Stone):ย A hairdresser at the Ambassador Hotel dealing with her husband’s infidelity.
- Dwayne (Nick Cannon):ย An enthusiastic campaign worker for Robert F. Kennedy, hopeful for a better future.
- Tim (Emilio Estevez):ย Virginia’s husband and manager, struggling to cope with her addiction and career decline.
- Fisher (Ashton Kutcher):ย A drug dealer operating out of the Ambassador Hotel, connected to some of the campaign staff.
๐ฌ Memorable Quotes
- Robert F. Kennedy:ย “This is a time of shame and sorrow. It is not a day for politics.” – Opening lines of Kennedy’s speech on the mindless menace of violence in America, delivered after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
- Robert F. Kennedy:ย “What has violence ever accomplished? What has it ever created?” – A poignant question raised in his speech, challenging the reliance on violence as a solution.
- Robert F. Kennedy:ย “Whenever we tear at the fabric of the life which another man has painfully and clumsily woven for himself and his children, the whole nation is degraded.” – From his remarks on the mindless menace of violence, emphasizing the interconnectedness of society.
๐ฐBox Office
- Budget: $14,000,000
- Domestic Gross:ย $11,242,801
- Worldwide Gross:ย $20,718,608
๐ฅ Bobby Reviews
Personal Review
I remember watching “Bobby” and just being completely drawn into the atmosphere of the Ambassador Hotel. The characters felt so real, and the way their lives intertwined was fascinating. The end hit me hard, it was so emotional. I loved the use of RFK’s actual speeches; it made the film feel more authentic and powerful. I especially loved the kitchen staff scenes.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Viewers interested in historical dramas and political films.”
- “Fans of ensemble casts and character-driven stories.”
- “Those interested in the social and political climate of the 1960s.”
- Content warnings โ :
- “Violence (including assassination)”
- “Drug use”
- “Strong language”
- “Mature themes (infidelity, racism)”
Professional Reviews
- The New York Times: “”Bobby” captures the spirit of 1968 with a sprawling ensemble cast, but struggles to connect its many storylines in a meaningful way. The film excels in its recreation of the era, but the fictional narratives often feel overshadowed by the real-life tragedy.
- Rolling Stone: “Estevez creates a palpable sense of tension as the film races towards its inevitable conclusion. Performances are strong across the board, with Demi Moore delivering a standout portrayal of a troubled lounge singer. A worthy tribute to a fallen leader.
- Variety: “”Bobby” is an ambitious but uneven film that attempts to capture the zeitgeist of the late 1960s through a series of interconnected stories. While the film is visually striking and features a talented cast, it often feels unfocused and emotionally detached.
Audience Reactions
The film’s ensemble cast delivers powerful performances that capture the hope and disillusionment of the era.: Viewers praised the film’s ability to transport them back to 1968 and evoke strong emotions.
The use of Robert F. Kennedy’s actual speeches adds a layer of authenticity and resonance to the film.: Audience members appreciated the film’s tribute to RFK’s legacy and his vision for a better America.
Overall Consensus: Bobby is a well-intentioned but flawed film that attempts to capture the spirit of 1968 through a sprawling ensemble cast and interconnected storylines. While the film is visually striking and features strong performances, it often feels unfocused and emotionally detached.
Awards
- Hollywood Film Awards (Ensemble of the Year)- 2006
๐ ๏ธ Behind the Scenes
- “Emilio Estevez set aside the script due to writer’s block, but after interviewing a woman who had been a volunteer for Robert F. Kennedy in 1968, he turned her story into the character of Diane Howser.”
- “To maintain a consistent look, the same extras were used throughout the film to represent hotel staff and guests.”
๐ฅ๏ธ How to Watch Bobby?
As of [current date], “Bobby” is available for purchase or rental on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for cable on-demand availability. It is not currently streaming on major subscription services like Netflix or Hulu, but this can change, so it’s worth checking periodically. Consider purchasing the DVD or Blu-ray for a physical copy.

๐ฅ Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Bobby, you might like these similar films:
- JFK (1991): Explores the political climate and conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Bobby’s brother, making it a thematically resonant companion piece.
- Good Night, and Good Luck (2005): Focuses on a specific moment in American history and uses it to explore broader themes of political courage and societal values, similar to Bobby’s approach.
- Nashville (1975): Employs an ensemble cast to depict a snapshot of American life centered around a pivotal event, sharing a structural approach with Bobby.
- Malcolm X (1992): Portrays the life and assassination of a prominent leader during a turbulent time in American history.
- Judas and the Black Messiah (2021): This movie focuses on the Black Panther party and a man’s betrayal to lead to Fred Hampton’s murder.
๐ Bobby Related Products
- Robert Kennedy: A Life:ย A comprehensive biography of Robert F. Kennedy, exploring his life, career, and legacy. This book provides deeper insight into the man behind the political figure.
- 1968: The Year That Rocked the World:ย A historical overview of the tumultuous events of 1968, including the Vietnam War, civil rights movement, and political assassinations. Understand the events and social factors from that turbulent time.
- Peace Sign Necklace:ย A classic symbol of peace and protest from the 1960s. A vintage symbol of the period that represents Bobby Kennedy’s message.
- Robert F. Kennedy T-Shirt:ย Show your respect for one of the most important figures in modern American history.
๐ง Soundtrack
Bobby features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
๐คจ FAQ
‘Bobby’ is a 2006 film that depicts the events leading up to the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy on June 5, 1968, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. It interweaves the stories of various characters present at the hotel, exploring their lives and struggles against the backdrop of this historical event.
While ‘Bobby’ incorporates real historical events and figures, the characters and their individual stories are largely fictionalized. The film aims to capture the atmosphere and societal tensions of the time, using these fictional narratives to explore the impact of Kennedy’s assassination on ordinary people.
The movie ‘Bobby’ was primarily filmed in the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California, the actual location of Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1968. This adds a layer of authenticity and historical weight to the film.
๐ฅ Bonus Content
Watch till the end ๐๐งโโ๏ธ๐ฅ #shorts #funny
Seriously, you HAVE to see this! It’s a super quick take on the movie’s funniest moments, and honestly, it had me cracking up.
When you have next level mind ๐๐ฅ #shorts #funny
Ever wondered if you missed some subtle brilliance in the movie? This short highlights those ‘next level mind’ moments you might have overlooked, and it’s pretty insightful!
โจ Rate
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.