Bobby is an inventive but embarrassingly sentimental re-enactment of Bobby Kennedy’s assassination. The incident was indeed a tragic chapter of both the U.S. political story (generally), and the Kennedy family (specifically). In no way do I want to diminish the tragic impact to the Kennedy family or to RFK’s friends and supporters. But aside from the historical aspect and general mood established by Bobby—Kennedy’s large heart and laser-like speeches—the event is here diminished in bathos.

I remember the day Bobby Kennedy was shot. I was nine years old. I recall hearing about it and seeing endless news reports about the crime. The most searing thing about it was the feeling of doom. My parents were not big Kennedy fans, but they were deeply hurt by this massive violation of their lives. It doesn’t appear that they ever felt any fear about the changing future. They were humbly moved by the close succession of tragedies to the Kennedy family. Even in my carefree nine-year-old mind, I remember praying for Bobby to live. He was probably already dead by the time I had heard of it. My memory is hazy, but I recall seeing him on TV joking (I thought he had recovered); then he was dead. I now know this wasn’t the case. I was probably seeing previously filmed newsreels shown as a tribute to him. Such is the case when you are nine. I knew something significant had happened, but the whos, whys, whens were beyond me. The short story is: Bobby Kennedy had an effect even on me.

RFK also had a great influence on Emilio Estevez, but the director’s movie hits and misses. Sometimes brilliant and other times plodding and maudlin, Bobby is nonetheless a well-acted movie. A few highlight performances come from Sharon Stone, Anthony Hopkins, William H. Macy and Demi Moore. Despite the weak and sometimes preachy writing, the hugely talented cast captures the essence of what Estevez was looking for: utter shock—compared to the mundane routine of even a top-flight hotel, and augmented by the seemingly random nature of Bobby’s death. (Sirhan Sirhan has never confessed. In fact, he still has amnesia about it.)

One of the few subtexts of the screenplay that I felt was effective: what is going to happen after this? Actual news footage and cuts of speeches add a chilling immediacy and foreboding to the climax.

Despite being tedious at times (and overly evangelistic), Bobby does do a good job of illustrating how events beyond our control disrupt our perceived paths. The feeling of sheer inevitability is a very strong and accomplished component of the movie. Had things been just a bit different—had the timing been changed a bit, had Bobby Kennedy been escorted through the lobby of the hotel instead of the kitchen—U.S. history would certainly have had a different course. The “what ifs” are unavoidable.

Music also plays an important and necessary role, lending some added passion to Kennedy’s speeches. Evidenced by the film, Bobby was a man of vision, but an extremely pragmatic speaker.

But as a film, Bobby is a slow moving, syrupy quasi-sermon about what made Bobby Kennedy great in the minds of those who knew him. He spoke to their passions; he was a rising star that many hoped to use; and many more hoped to put him in the White House. Bobby was wealthy, but still an everyday man. A family man, and devoutly Catholic. He believed what he said. His faith gave him gravity.

Estevez admired Robert Kennedy—as Bobby demonstrates, for good reason. Yet I left with a sense that a savior was struck down before he could save—the residue of a simplistic and overly hopeful attitude on Estevez’ part.

However, President Bush recently said of Robert Kennedy: “To millions who never knew him, he’s still an example of kindness and courage.” That is greatness.

The film is rated PG-13 for “language, drug content and a scene of violence.” That’s a fair rating. Otherwise beautiful women use some very coarse language. I guess I was disappointed that there wasn’t a better sense of decorum back in the 60s! The scene of the assassination is also pretty intense.

Courtesy of a local publicist, Mike attended a promotional screening of Bobby.