Film Review – Bobcat Moretti (2022)
A cameo by late musician Coolio, is only one of multiple surprises throughout.
This indie packs more of an emotional punch that it has any right to have, entirely due to the engaging underdog story escalating strong, broad messages throughout the guise of amateur boxing and sorrow combining with triumphant success.
Diagnosed with lesions on his brain, enveloping multiple sclerosis (MS) Bobby Moretti (Tim Realbuto) has a life of misfortune past and present having little to live for, his mum is unwell and visiting his distant brother’s family is an not ideal situation. Overweight and distraught, the only way is up.
Within his self loathing own mind, Bobby seems to just want to remain anti-social and invisible, until whilst walking door-to-door looking for a job, he stumbles across a rundown, upstairs gymnasium run by hardened proprietor, Jo (Vivica A. Fox) where boxing is prominent.
Reluctantly taking him in as a basic cleaner of toilets and sweat, Jo soon appreciates his values and becomes a resilient confidante to his overbearing sadness, offering lessons to box as a form of payment. While not revealing details immediately, Jo learns that Bobby’s father was a pugilist and actually has a picture up of the man in action inside the gym, bringing with it a new inspiration for the pair of opposites.
Grief is dealt with tough love, as is his obese condition, remarkably curing for heart, soul and Bobby’s body, which the actor himself went through an acute transformation playing the role, losing a stack of weight. Pure dedication.
Whenever I see the husky voiced, kinetic aura of iconic Virginan, Taryn Manning (8 Mile, Karen) bubbling away on screen I smile.
As the sister in law with a big, understanding heart, she is the vice of reason to her husband Charlie (Matt Peters) the short fused brother who is less patient with Bobby’s erratic demeanour around his family, especially when under his roof with children.
Deceptive inhibitions are explored in making the most of difficult situations and breaking down barriers through authentic feelings and reactions by terrific acting, including the return of tyrannical Frau Farbissina herself, Mindy Sterling (Austin Powers) and another brief appearance by the Matt McCoy, of cult 90s classics Snapdragon + The Hand that Rocks the Cradle, he doesn’t miss a beat.
The quintessential duo on show are Vivica A.Fox (Kill Bill, Booty Call) shining alongside, unknown to me until now, Tim Realbuto, devoted to his craft over the year time frame of filming becoming Bobcat Moretti, body, mind, spirit. An unassuming, ridiculously awarding movie. See it.
★★★
Drama | USA, 2022 | 15 | 15th April 2024 (UK) | Digital HD | Miracle Media | Dir. Rob Margolies | Vivica A. Fox, Tim Realbuto, Mindy Sterling, Sally Kirkland, Taryn Manning, Coolio
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