Bringing Up Bobby

Bringing Up Bobby is a dramatic comedy film that was released in 2011. It showcases a stunning cast line-up, with Milla Jovovich, the iconic star famed for her roles in action movies, masterfully taking the forefront. Bill Pullman, known for his legendary roles in Independence Day and Spaceballs, provides a fantastic supporting role. Completing the star-studded cast is Marcia Cross who is known for her captivating performance on hit series Desperate Housewives. This intriguing threesome creates a charismatic on-screen dynamic under the direction of director Famke Janssen.

The storyline follows Olive, an exuberant and charmingly manipulative woman from Ukraine, played by Milla Jovovich. She's a single mother who comes to the United States with her 10-year-old son, affably named Bobby, with the hopes of providing him a better life. Bobby, hailing from a lineage of charismatic con-artists, finds himself deeply involved in his mother's dishonest ways, making him wise beyond his years. But Olive aspires to give Bobby the American dream and hopes her days of careless acts are behind her.

However, as her past continue to hound them, Olive and Bobby engage in a nomadic life, travelling state to state and attempt to stay one step ahead of the inevitable. In their new neighborhood in Oklahoma, they cross paths with a wealthy couple, Kent and Mary, played by Bill Pullman and Marcia Cross respectively. Kent is a deeply religious man and a hard-working entrepreneur. His wife Mary maintains a reserved and compliant character with a concealed sharp wit.

The contrast between the broke, free-spirited single mom and the well-to-do, conservative couple is substantial, giving rise to both comedic and dramatic moments throughout the movie. Kent and Mary become increasingly entangled with the problematic Ukrainian duo as they see in Bobby, the son they could never have. Their lives start interweaving, leading to complications, emotions, dilemmas, and difficult choices for everyone involved.

Beyond the gripping saga of life's expectations against its reality, Bringing Up Bobby illuminates on cultural clashes, exploring the drastically different aspects of American society. It addresses the disparity between Olive's boisterous European background and the subdued, prudish persona of the American mid-west. It underscores the challenges of immigrant life vis-à-vis the dream of getting used to a new culture while desperately trying to hold on to one's own.

Milla Jovovich's spirited portrayal of a wayward mother determined to secure a better future for her son is filled with genuine warmth and depth. She manages to maintain the balance between eliciting laughter, crafting an air of mystique around her character's history and struggling with the emotional fallout of her decisions.

Bill Pullman, as Kent, delivers an incredible performance. He switches effortlessly between the flawed entrepreneur, the pious Christian, and the compassionate figure who longs to be a father. Marcia Cross, as the prim and proper Mary, adds nuance and layers to her character, allowing the viewer to sympathize and root for her equally.

Bringing Up Bobby presents a series of contrasts – wealth against poverty, cities versus the mid-west, the recklessness of youth against the wisdom of adulthood, and dreams versus reality. However, the most striking contradiction the movie skillfully manages to manifest is between the innocence of childhood and the ruthless nefariousness of a life in crime.

Overall, Bringing Up Bobby is a brilliant movie with a touching narrative filled with warmth, eccentric characters, and a generous dose of situational comedy. It offers an insight into the true cost of the American dream and explores how far a mother is willing to go for her child's happiness and prosperity. The dynamic performances, sharp script, and compelling plot make this movie an interesting watch. This beautifully directed film by Famke Janssen is laced with sentimentality and is worth watching for anyone who appreciates funny yet heartfelt storytelling.