Bringing Up Bobby (2011) User Reviews (20)

Milla's wonderful performance doesn't save this unfulfilling dramedy!

[JimmyCollins · 4/10 · 23 December 2011]

Don't get me wrong, this movie isn't horrible, it's just not excellent the way it should be. The film starts out really great, Milla is a laugh out loud funny con artist from the Ukraine who is just trying to make ends meet with her son in America, then it turns into a more dramatic film where a woman is trying to get her son back, to me it seems like both of these plots are great but together in the same film it didn't work for me, I think as individual film they would be excellent.

The saving grace is Milla Jovovich, she is terrific in absolutely everything, and she is just exceptional in this, she is funny, lovable and for most of the film you are rooting for her, I hope she continues to do funnier roles such as these as she really suits them.

Also the kid in the movie is definitely worth mentioning, child actors are really impressive these days. The opening song sung by Milla is one of the best parts of the film, so basically no highs or lows, just very one dimensional. A tad disappointing. :(

Close but no Cigar

[pingram-162-873703 · 6/10 · 16 September 2011]

Famke Janssen has managed to put all of the elements of a great independent movie together here but somehow the chemistry never grabs you really hard. Milla Jovovich's character is somebody who thinks they understand the American Dream from watching TV and from the movies that she is often quoting. The reality in America however is that the "American Dream" is much more complicated than she ever imagined. Milla Jovovich and Spencer List are very convincing as the mother and son duo and the portrayal of their relationship is what carries the movie. Pullamn does well but is careful not to grab the attention away from the two main characters. The colours and costumes stand out against the bleak Oklahoma backdrop. It is a good movie and it is easy to watch. It is not the sort of movie that will interest people who do not regularly watch small independent movies.

Dramedy

[kosmasp · 5/10 · 16 June 2013]

A stab at a comedy mingled with drama. It doesn't entirely work, even if the actors at work do try their best (even if it doesn't feel like that at times). The story being told from the point of view of Milla is interesting. It might have been more interesting, if we'd seen the whole thing through the eyes of the son. There are times when you wonder what is going on there.

Apart from that you have a stellar cast together. Which of course might have to do with the fact, that Famke Jansen is directing. Not a bad try for a movie and I'm sure the script did sound great too. The making it into a movie process, is entirely different of course and there are quite a lot of flaws to be found here (character but also plot wise). A nice little movie then

An OK movie to watch but nothing amazing. A nothing type movie that felt like it was made just to make a movie. I say B-

[cosmo_tiger · 5/10 · 30 September 2012]

"I just don't want Bobby to end up like me and you." Olive (Jovovich) is a single mother/con-artist who is trying her best to raise her son Bobby as best as she can. Bobby starts to act up in class but Olive doesn't see anything wrong with what Bobby does. When a freak accident causes Kent (Pullman) to come into their lives Bobby has a chance at a better life, but Olive has a choice to make. This is not a bad movie at all but it is another movie that has a lot of heart but really nothing else. It's not a total nothing movie because there is a plot but it has the feel of a movie that is just made in order to spend money. I'm not saying that this is a bad movie because I did enjoy it and it was a decent watch, but don't expect anything that will make you think. There really is nothing else to say about this other then that. Overall, a decent watch but nothing amazing. I give it a B-.

Milla, why oh why?

[westernwallflower · 2/10 · 2 February 2012]

At the video store, this DVD caught my eye immediately because of my longtime girl crush Milla Jovovich on the front cover. I grabbed it straight off the shelf, without hesitation. I knew it would more than likely be a dud film, but I just love to watch Milla and was excited that this film could possibly, maybe, turn out to be an 'okay' film.

Well, this film is a complete dud. I cringed the whole way through. The mundane story line had potential, but the script and direction was just terrible. I did not know if this was supposed to be a comedy film or a drama. Either way, it failed in every possible category.

The character of Olive (Milla Jovovich), was so over the top and one dimensional. Olive, the stereotypical beautiful Russian single mother con, was a character that was over exaggerated and incredibly annoying. It is not even worth going into any more detail about the characters in this film because it all just sucked. It would be as pointless as analyzing your own vomit after vomiting. The only emotion that this film evoked for me, was sadness over why Milla Jovovich played such a crap character in such a crap film. Milla completely over acted in this film, but that was really the only thing that added slight intrigue. Along with her wardrobe.

If you like Milla, then watch it for the sake of seeing Millas beauty on screen. Otherwise, do not bother with this film ... unless you want to spend an hour or so baffled at how anyone could write such a terrible script.

Bringing up Bobby - The kind of film that my thirteen year old self would have written back in the day. Pretty clothes, pretty leading lady and pretty ridiculous.

How can anyone do a movie with such awful, negative, monstrous message?

[riveravaldez · 1/10 · 13 January 2012]

I couldn't believe it, so I eat it all up till the end and yes, that's the message. So, the story go something like this: If you're a single, poor mother with problems and a kid, your only choice, the only thing that can fix your life and your son's life is to find a marriage of rich people who want to take it out from you, because, you know, the only thing that matters is money, so, as the real value of the people is about how rich they are -because, remember, the only thing that matters is money and the life that money can buy you-, no low-social-economical-extraction people can fight or find any solution, that means, if you're poor, you lose, and the rich people are the best, because -please don't forget this-, money is the only issue that matters. C'mon! What's the problem with you, Famke! Better keep acting -or whatever. Gee!

FIDDLE DEE DEE

[nogodnomasters · 6/10 · 7 December 2018]

Olive (Milla Jovovich) is of European descent living as a scam artist in America. Her accents vary as she both scams and raises her 10 year old son Bobby (Spencer List). Olive coddles her son and indulges his bad behavior which she seems to enjoy. The film is divided into two parts. The first part is all fun and games. The second half is after Olive gets caught and is released from jail. During the interim, Bobby was adopted by a rich real estate man (Bill Pullman) and his wife (Marcia Cross). When Bobby is around his mom, he acts up. Oh yes, they both like to act out and quote films which didn't figure into the script like it should.

Written and directed by Famke Janssen, she appeared to have written the lead role for herself. While this was designed to be a quirky film, it tries too hard with stereotyped characters that it fails. Bobby is a complex character who exhibits both independence and insecurity. He is the forgotten son we needed to get to know, but didn't because the film was all about her. So in the end, I felt nothing when I should of had a Puffs moment.

Parental Guide: F-bomb. No sex or nudity.

Farcical but not funny! Serious subject but not poignant.

[clydeleon · 3/10 · 28 January 2013]

Synopsis looked promising. But fell terribly flat of all expectations. We only watched it to the end hoping for something redeeming. Listed as a comedy, but not one thing comically amusing. It had the potential to be a realistic touching and poignant movie of a failing mother having to make a choice between staying with her son, or letting foster parents raise him. But her failings are so over the top as to be unbelievable. This can be acceptable if it was farcically funny... but it is not... just painful in the way that she raises her son in a way that he can do no wrong even though that is all he does is wrong. The mother's accent is so fake that I thought it was part of her shtick. The actress, though born in Kiev does not have an accent in interviews, so had to create this one, but it just does not ring true. This is about as low as I'd rate any movie that I watched all the way through.

Vibrant and colorful, much better than most comedies

[OJT · 7/10 · 17 March 2013]

Was quite astonished to see the low score for this here on IMDb. That's not deserved. I found the film refreshing and fun, if you're able to appreciate a film that doesn't take itself to serious.

I loved the light tone and the vibrant colorful style of the movie. It looks like Moonrise Kingdom, and I found it better. The colorful filters make this eye candy. Some scenes are like a painting.

Milla Jovovich is a easy-go-lucky mother Olive, mostly on the wrong side of the law. The adores her 11 year old son Bobby (Spencer List) but eventually her past catches up with her. Young Spencer List is impressive and charming in his role.

The film, directed by Famke Janssen, has a fairy tale touch, and even th sad parts has a light touch. Ordinarily I'm not too fond of this style, but I found this refreshing and entertaining. It's different, and it's also unpredictable, which is a good thing when you've seen a lot of movies.

I really feel the bashing of this tiny story, which is about the love between a mother and her son, is not fair. It's without real sadness, and unnecessary violence, and all Niall hopeful and quite believable. It's such a relief to watch a movie where you don't have to fear bad things happening. A feel-good gem!

Stay away! Will make you puke.

[davidgld19 · 1/10 · 26 September 2012]

Sick. Puke still warm. Bringing Up Bobby. Bringing up puke.

Giggling Milla Jovovich can't save film.

Stay away at all costs or risk immediate health consequences.

Need to hurl again because of this film. Got to go.

Can't write anymore but have to submit the 10-line minimum for review.

Writing 5 lines was too much for this movie.

Stay away. Run quickly. Run in another direction. Don't even answer if "helpful." No time get out quickly.

Need to find DVD of "Fifth Element." Might make me feel better. Can't write. Vision blurring.

Ten lines yet? Not sure.Hands cramping. Repeat previews. Still not enough lines.

Kudos to Famke, turns out she can direct too

[ryanngraye · 8/10 · 3 May 2012]

I saw Famke Janssen on a panel with Nicole Kidman at the Nashville Film Festival. Mrs. Janssen was well spoken and impressive so I thought I would see her film. It's very strange but wonderful. The idea of it is great; a Ukrainian woman who grew up on American movies and hustles her way through Oklahoma, using those movies as the basis for her understanding of the American dream. American cinema clearly shapes foreigner's view of who we are, which was an interesting theme to see the director explore. Throughout Bringing Up Bobby, Mila Jovivich uses quotes from some of the greatest movies of all time time, movies that clearly shaped her opinion about America. I caught some references (I think) from Gone With the Wind, China Town and Bonnie and Clyde. I am sure there are others in there as well that I missed. But for movie buffs, that was a fun aspect of the film.

The reality is that Bringing Up Bobby is almost two separate movies. The first half of the film feels like a slapstick, easy going and over the top homage to the 1930s, while the second half feels like a 1970's film. The second half is very gritty and more realistic. One can argue with the outcome of such an effort, but the ambition is certainly there for this 1st time director. It's always nice to see an independent film take risks and think outside the box. Bobby tried to do that and sometimes it succeeds and sometimes it falls short. Where it falls short is really on the acting. I agree with some of the other comments about Mrs. Jovovich's performance, as it is a little uneven and I felt like in the first part of the film especially, you could see the acting. She did a much better job during the second part of the film when she had to be emotional and the action required a visceral reaction from her.

The music in this film is really fantastic, book marked on the one end by Ukrainian/Russian folk songs and on the other with real Americana music.

The movie doesn't completely succeed but I applaud the effort and look forward to seeing what Mrs. Janssen does next.

Great start ... awfully ended .

[ultrasahand · 4/10 · 19 December 2011]

As a fan of Milla Jovovich and Marcia Cross(Desperate Housewives) I picked out this film and as I started watching got amazed by the act which really attached me. Milla playing as a con artist trying make the ends meet. i watched through almost the end and waited for an accident or something so it get's interesting and when I saw the cast and crew names at the end It just hits me that I just wasted and an hour and half of my life . My apologies to fans if they got offended by my review I'm really angry with how the movie ends or maybe it's me cause when I see Milla I'm also waiting for a zombie to pop up :D BTW ... Directer done an amazing job !!!

IF you can sympathize with douches this film is for you

[jordondave-28085 · 4/10 · 30 April 2023]

(2012) Bringing Up Bobby DRAMA

Co-written and directed by actress Famke Janson, starring Milla Jovovich as single mother, Olive an Ukrainian woman who's trying to raise her 11 year old son Bobby right, who she'll probably won't get any 'mother of the year' awards, since she lies, cheats and steals during her stay as an American citizen. And because the movie is about 11 year old Bobby, it shows him to be a total douche as both their worlds come for the turn for the worst as she gets arrested. Resorting her to give up custody toward a wealthy couple of Kent (Bill Pullman) and Mary (Marcia Cross), who has coincidentally had just lost their own son. And once Olive is let out, her son, Bobby resorts back to his bad behavior again. Strictly-by-the-book plot with nothing people can't come up with by themselves. And I also have to say that it's hard to sympathize with characters who initially act like a couple of self indulgent douches.

Awful

[sm2424 · 2/10 · 12 April 2024]

Sorry Famke. Love you in X-Men but please try again. I did like the cinematography and costumes.

Milla's Ukrainian accent was nauseatingly bad. The plot was nonexistent. Kind of a putrid take on Auntie Mame except with a poor con artist mother with no charm or skills of any kind who careens from one idiotic situation she creates to the next. She's so inept that the only "solution" is to give her son to rich people to raise.

Not charming, not funny, not poignant. Badly written, poorly acted, no plot. Luckily I saw it for free but would have been extremely annoyed if I'd had to pay.

Amazing this trash could even find a backer.

Sometimes uneven, but mostly interesting and enjoyable.

[llf48 · 9/10 · 4 April 2012]

I saw this film in Italy at the Busto Arsizio festival in March. For a first-time director of a small-budget film (made in 11 days in 100+ degree heat), I thought it was excellent. It is a quirky, dark comedy with a world seen through the eyes of a foreigner who has images of the U.S. shaped by vintage American films and T.V.

This is not your typical Milla Jovovich/Marcia Cross product, so if you are thinking "Resident Evil" or "Desperate Housewives," you might want to pass or open up to something totally different. If you can get over the two leading women's most famous parts and see them anew, you will likely enjoy this film.

The excellent: 1) The setting. It was filmed in Oklahoma and captures so much of the U.S. that films often don't. It is full of another kind of culture: one that is slower, bleaker, and more religious than is typical in American films. Having grown up in a vowel state, I thought it captured the culture well and it was shot really interestingly.

2) Rory Cochrane and Bill Pullman. Cochrane is very funny and Pullman gives a particularly convincing and sympathetic performance.

The so-so: 1) Milla Jovovich. Jovovich's performance is up and down. When it is down it is because she is too over the top; when it is up it is because she has toned it down and bit and connects with the audience as opposed to being some kind of caricature.

2) Child actor Spencer List. List is a bit too annoying too often. Like many child actors, he simply overacts pretty much all the time.

As far as film festival fare, I would rate this in the top 10%. It is well directed, well shot, well edited, and although the acting is mixed, it is a fun, dark, poignant film.

Very fun and entertaining film!

[brian-morgan-680-273403 · 8/10 · 4 November 2011]

I saw this movie in Savannah at the Film Festival. I really enjoyed this movie from start to finish. After the movie the Director did a Q&A which answered the few problems I had to the film which I can be forgiving for. It starts out with a foreign feel with lots of natural lighting and some poor sound clips taking the performance away from the actors. But as the movie progresses and you build a relationship with the characters the movie gets more and more precious. The director was very fortunate to have the actors and actresses to work with for her first film as a director. Milla's performance really is outstanding throughout telling you the story of her travels and struggles to win her boy back.

Must see Famke's directorial debut!

[joefmahan · 9/10 · 27 April 2012]

Leaving the theater I was still emotional from this film. It took an hour or so after the film was over for me to recover. Milla J. has at least one scene in this film that will rip your guts out. Marcia Cross is also surprisingly tender and delivers an incredible supporting performance while Rory Cochrane is so much fun that you are dying to see more.

Famke's directorial debut is of her own screenplay. The story is poignant and the scenery in this film is refreshing. She humbly pays homage to past eras and filmmakers that influence her in a fashion that will appeal to the most calloused critic while presenting a wide appeal. It delivers a respectful nod to an honored filmmaking heritage that serves her story so well while remaining relevant. That is delicate artistry.

Milla J. plays an Eastern European Con artist that is struggling to raise her American born son with little more than her looks and the charisma she developed watching gangsters in American films. When the veneer finally falls off watch out! Milla delivers! As she throws in the towel on her criminal ways one thread at a time one can't help but find a way to relate to the struggles she and her son are faced with. Spencer List gives a great performance as Bobby. Keep an ear out for songs from Milla and the Flaming Lips as well. Nothing is arbitrary in this film. I cannot wait to see her next creation!

Nice touching movie!

[timmy-240-688140 · 10/10 · 16 December 2011]

I specially register myself at IMDb just to write review on this movie. I happen to watch this movie by random and I found it is a nice movie. A very touching movie showing the greatest love from a mother to a son. I was shocked too when coming to know this movie took 20 days to complete shooting. However, it came out as a good movie. I think is quite a low budget movie but the story line is great compare to many other movie. This is a movie of a single mother with her lovely son. It is reality to see many single mother today having hard time trying to give the best to their child. So whoever is raised by single parent, please watch this movie and show your appreciation to them. I love how Milla act in this movie. Spencer List did a cool acting too! Great movie after all...

Good job, Famke and Milla!

[jp-scheffer · 8/10 · 1 June 2015]

I liked Famke Janssen's directorial debut, which was made on an austere budget and shot in Oklahoma in just 20 days, well enough to want to see her next film, which I hope there will be, as it is difficult to make this kind of independent film and release it.

In this film, Milla Jovovich is what she excels in being, which is enchanting and mesmerizing on several levels, as she portrays a loving but dysfunctional mother in a way that draws you in and makes you empathize as well as sympathize.

Famke Janssen's story is original, the locations are great, as is the cinematography, and the scenes are cut together flawlessly, building a sensible arch of narrative and emotion to a worthy conclusion.

In other words, a very good job from writer Famke Janssen, director Famke Janssen, cinematographer Guido van Gennep, producers, cast and crew.

OKC indie pic

[nnmdyh · 8/10 · 31 March 2022]

I actually co-wrote and recorded a couple of original tunes that were in the background of this film. Cool to see locations I pass regularly.

Good times in OKC.