Lovesong für Bobby Long (A Love Song for Bobby Long) 
U.S.A.
2004
Opening 21 Jul 2005
Directed by:
Shainee Gabel
Writing credits:
Ronald Everett Capps, Shainee Gabel
Principal actors:
John Travolta, Scarlett Johansson, Gabriel Macht, Deborah Kara, Clayne Crawford
A Love Song for Bobby Long is a compelling story of a young high school drop out, Puslane Hominy Will (Scarlettt Johansson), on a journey to claim her inheritance after hearing of her mother, Lorraine’s, sudden death. Puslane, living in Florida, must travel to New Orleans to attend her estranged mother's funeral only to realize that she is a day late. The motto “A day late and a dollar short” seems to plague (or cloud) the very existence of her own life, as well as the lives of those who were close to Lorraine. Puslane is abruptly confronted with the message that two of Lorraine's alcoholic friends, an English professor, Bobby Long (John Travolta), and Long's protégé, Lawson Pines (Gabriel Macht), claim to be part owner of Lorraine's dilapidated property. Full of distain, strong-willed Puslane attempts to wait out the settlement. In the meantime, she also begins to search for answers of her mother's past. The deep dark secrets of the life of Lorraine open a door to a world Puslane must choose to enter. What she risks to enter this world is more than compensated with the music that is made in discovering A Love Song for Bobby Long.
Taken from the novel Off Magazine Street by Ronald Everett Capps, director Shainee Gabel’s low budget film delivers its message in a slow and graceful authentic southern style. Set in the heart of New Orleans, Gabel’s storyline interpretation was eloquently preformed but not without the help of his seasoned actors. In my opinion, Travolta seems to shine in all of his roles that require a gentleman with a southern accent, including this performance. However, this story is more about teamwork, beginning with the storyline to directing to acting to photography to the final cut, which makes this narrative touch the very heart of its message of loneliness. (Karen Pecota)
