A Gift from Bob

A Gift from Bob (promoted as A Christmas Gift from Bob) is a 2020 British Christmas biographical drama film directed by Charles Martin Smith and written by Garry Jenkins, based on the non-fiction books A Gift from Bob and The Little Book of Bob by James Bowen. It is a sequel to the 2016 film A Street Cat Named Bob, and stars Luke Treadaway, reprising his role as Bowen. Anna Wilson-Jones, Kristina Tonteri-Young, and Bob the Cat co-star. It was released in the United Kingdom by Lionsgate on 6 November 2020, and is the final film appearance of Bob, who died in an accident six months after filming was completed.

A Gift from Bob
Film poster
Directed byCharles Martin Smith
Written byGarry Jenkins
Based onA Gift from Bob and
The Little Book of Bob
by James Bowen
Produced by
  • Adam Rolston
  • Stephen Jarvis
  • Tracy Jarvis
  • Martin Metz
  • Adrian Politowski
Starring
CinematographyDavid Connell
Edited byChris Blunden
Music byPatrick Neil Doyle
Production
companies
  • Studio Pictures
  • Parkhouse Pictures
  • Align
  • The Exchange
  • Twickenham Studios
Distributed byLionsgate
Release date
  • 6 November 2020 (2020-11-06)
Running time
93 minutes[1]
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Synopsis

James looks back at the last Christmas he and Bob spent scraping a living on the streets and how Bob helped him through one of his toughest times – providing strength, friendship and inspiration – and ultimately teaching each other about the true meaning of Christmas spirit along the way.

Cast
  • Luke Treadaway as James Bowen, an ex-drug addict who is Bob's owner[2]
  • Bob the Cat as himself.
    • This is Street Cat Bob's final film appearance, as he died in an accident in June 2020, approximately six months after filming was completed. The film's end credits carry a dedication in loving memory of Bob.[3]
    • Additional unnamed cats were used as stand-ins for Bob in some scenes.
  • Anna Wilson-Jones as Arabella
  • Kristina Tonteri-Young as Bea

Production

Luke Treadaway reprised his role as James Bowen.

Street Cat Bob reprised his role playing himself. The film is dedicated to the titular feline, as he died in an accident in June 2020 (approximately six months after filming was completed).[4]

Charles Martin Smith was selected to direct the film in October 2019, and filming began one month later in November 2019.[5] Filming completed in early 2020.[6]

Music

On 6 November 2020, an accompanying soundtrack album was released. A Christmas Gift from Bob—Original Motion Picture Soundtrack features music by Patrick Neil Doyle with songs by K.T. Wild. Three songs inspired by and written for the movie will appear in the film performed by lead actor Luke Treadaway and a fourth Coming Back To Me (Coming Home) – written and performed by K.T. himself – is played in the film's end credit.[7]

Release

Originally scheduled for a 2020 release in the United Kingdom, the release was pushed back to 2021.[8] In October 2020, it was revealed that the film would be released in cinemas by Lionsgate UK on 6 November 2020.[9] The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray over three weeks later, on 30 November 2020 by Lionsgate Home Entertainment.

Reception

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, 78% of 18 critics have given the film a positive review, with an average rating of 5.9/10.[10]

See also

References
  1. "A CHRISTMAS GIFT FROM BOB (12A)". BBFC. 28 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  2. "Luke Treadaway reprises role in The Exchange's 'A Gift From Bob' (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  3. Cowdrey, Katherine (June 16, 2020). "James Bowen says goodbye to 'unforgettable' street cat Bob". The Bookseller. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  4. "Street Cat Named Bob died after being hit by a car, says ex-heroin addict owner of Ginger Tom". whatsnew2day. Archived from the original on 2020-06-26. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  5. "Filming will begin on A Gift From Bob before the year is out". Film Stories. 9 October 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  6. "Street Cat Named Bob died after being hit by a car, says ex-heroin addict owner of Ginger Tom". whatsnew2day. Archived from the original on 2020-06-26. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  7. "First look at festive sequel 'A Christmas Gift From Bob'". www.thehollywoodnews.com. Retrieved 2020-11-27.
  8. "What you need to know about A Street Cat Named Bob sequel after star cat dies". Metro. 17 June 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  9. Brew, Simon (13 October 2020). "The sequel to A Street Cat Named Bob gets lined up for a Christmas release, it's been announced – and here's the trailer too". Film Stories. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  10. "A Gift From Bob". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
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