Bobby

I really enjoyed this star-studded film - there were so many stars it would be rude to mention one or two and leave out the others! It tells the story of the day of the assassination of Bobby Kennedy through the yes of various people working or guests at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles the venue for the party to mark the Democratic Presidential Primary.

There are the kitchen workers - Mexican and Black - disenfranchised and mainly illegals. There are Kennedy workers - mostly young and white and dewy eyed, politically naive. There are hotel workers - managers, switchboard operators, hairdressers, retired doormen, and there is a drunken singer at the Hotel's Coconut Grove. A woman is getting married to save a drafted friend from the Vietnam War - the cloud hanging over everything in the late 60s.

Interspersed with these stories is footage from the Kennedy Campaign trail, excerpts of speeches and historic footage from the 60s - the decade of assassinations in America.

Director Emilio Estevez handles the period very successfully and captures the hopes bearing down on the youthful Bobby - so many people wanting him to produce a solution to the ills of America - racism, intolerance, class divisions - wealth and poverty, economic woes and above all the tragedy of Vietnam.

Does he hammer home a political message? No - but the message still comes across, and the shooting of Kennedy is dealt with dramatically, realistically, and without being over sentimental.

Impressive film. My rating - 8/10